Summer and schoolusually don’t mix too well, but in this instance, it’s an ideal time to take a look at the college football landscape.
We kick off the week closest to Pac-12 alums Ryan Leaf and Max Meyer’s hearts, and they gives out their favorite Pac-12 win totals to go over.
LEAF: Utah Over 8.5 Wins (+105)
I learned a long time ago not to fade Kyle Whittingham. Utah’s top two offensive players, QB Cam Rising and TE Brant Kuithe, told Pac-12 Network at the spring game that they’re both on track for the opener after their season-ending injuries in 2022. It’s a tough schedule, but the Utes don’t have to be in the CFP mix to go over this win total.
MEYER: Washington Over 9.5 Wins (+130)
Michael Penix Jr. finished eighth in Heisman voting in his debut campaign at Washington and has the pieces in place to deliver a strong encore. He has a top-3 receiver room in the country, headlined by two 1,000-yard guys returning in Rome Odunze and Jalen McMillan. Washington also brings back its two starting tackles (Troy Fautanu, Roger Rosengarten) who didn’t allow a single sack in 2022. With Kalen DeBoer, one of CFB’s sharpest offensive minds, at the helm, this group will be dangerous.
This defense was rough last season, but at least there was improvement in the second half. If this unit can progress to merely mediocre, I think the Huskies will be the best team in the Pac-12. They certainly have talent there, led by their pass rush. Bralen Trice led the country with 67 pressures in 2022, and turned 10 of them into sacks. Zion Tupuola-Fetui has had issues staying healthy, but he’s dynamite on the field.