3 weeks into the season and we can start to see where every team is.
This season is definitely shaping up to have a few surprises. As a couple teams are not performing to expectations, and a couple have been overperforming to far. Here is my breakdown. North division first and in my order of expected finish.
Stanford
Yes they defeated SJSU and Duke for their first two games, but they then went to Arizona and dominated the Wildcats. Having the best QB in college football helps quite a bit. The two questions they still have to answer will be depth and durability (otherwise known as will mounting injuries have an effect.) and what to do if teams can start to stack the box. Arizona attempted to do this and had some success once Fleener left the game with "concussion-like symptoms". Stanford's offense runs much like Tedford tries to run Cal's offense with a power running game and then vertical passing if the defense cheats up too much, but Stanford doesn't really have any burners at WR. They use TEs on seam routes to make the defense pay for crowding the LOS. If teams can take that away it might be a long season for the Cardinal.
Oregon
Yes, they lost to LSU, but they then went out and crushed their next two, admittedly inferior, opponents. Oregon still needs to demonstrate taht they can play against a team that will play smash mouth football. Their offense also seems to have slowed down a bit and they are definitely missing the experienced receivers Maehl and Dickson. Still they will be a difficult team to beat.
Washington
I could have put Cal or Washington 3rd in the division. Right now Washington probably doesn't deserve this spot, but they have the advantage of playing the head to head at home next weekend. Washington has a good offense with one of the best RBs in the conference in Polk. Unfortunately they also have a very weak defense that every one of their opponents has moved the ball against. Washington appears to be in the position of having to win shootouts and against teams like Stanford and Oregon they will have little chance.
Cal
The defense has looked good in 2 games but looked lost against Colorado and the O-line struggles haven't been completely fixed. Still they are one of only 3 teams in the conference that is still undefeated after only 3 weeks. They definitely look better than Washington State, Oregon State and UCLA, but have not demonstrated that they can beat an Oregon or USC.
Washington State
They played SDSU close for a half and then faded due to a lack of depth. Even with Tuel they are moving the ball well on offense. However, they have yet to show that they have much of a defense. Still they could get to 6-6 with an upset win or 2. And right now they look much better than Oregon State or UCLA.
Oregon State
The only team in the conference with no wins, and they havent' deserved a win. They have been the one team in the north with absolutely no offense. They arne't helped by injuries and hope to get a couple of their starters back shortly, but so far this team has been the weakest of the teams in the North.
South
USC
USC is the only team in the south with no losses, but the truth is that they havent' looked as dominating as in the past. There is no question that they are vulnerable this season. One thing I noticed is taht they love to line up trips to one side and throw a screen pass to Woods on that side. Teams will start to watch for this. I'm sure Kiffin believes it will relax the center of the defense and give his RBs more room, but so far the O-line for USC hasn't really impressed me. On defense they are as fast as usual, but a bit undisicplined and will likely have trouble stopping teams iwth experienced QBs
utah
Utah did lose to USC in a close game. They are using an inexperienced QB who had some trouble adjusting to the speed of the SC pass rush. Still they kept that game close and then blew out BYU in a game many expected to be close. Its possible that Utah will finish in the top half of the division in their first year.
ASU
ASU does have a win against a team that was ranked when they faced, so they go here. They haven't really been impressive and their QB wilted against Illinois this weekend. With their continuing issues with disciplined play on defense they are going to struggle against the high powered and experienced offenses of the Pac-12
Arizona
Zona might not deserve to be here considering that they haven't been a BCS team since September of last season. They went on a 5 game losing streak last season and have opened this season with 2 losses to BCS teams and a win against a 1-AA school. Defense appears to be their biggest weakness as Foles is a good QB, but coaching might be their real problem as they seemed to by their own worst enemy last night against Stanford.
Colorado
After an ugly loss in Hawaii, Colorado played Cal close and then defeated Colorado State. The team has an experienced QB in Hansen and a very good offensive coordinator who is going to develop good game plans. Colorado is still going to struggle this season as they don't have the talent to dominate the better teams in the conference, but they should be able to keep msot games close.
UCLA
No passing offense, 2 QBs who just aren't very good, and not enough playmakers on defense to really slow down other teams. UCLA has not clooked good so far this season and right now is probably the weakest team in the South. They need a QB desperately down in Westwood.
This season is definitely shaping up to have a few surprises. As a couple teams are not performing to expectations, and a couple have been overperforming to far. Here is my breakdown. North division first and in my order of expected finish.
Stanford
Yes they defeated SJSU and Duke for their first two games, but they then went to Arizona and dominated the Wildcats. Having the best QB in college football helps quite a bit. The two questions they still have to answer will be depth and durability (otherwise known as will mounting injuries have an effect.) and what to do if teams can start to stack the box. Arizona attempted to do this and had some success once Fleener left the game with "concussion-like symptoms". Stanford's offense runs much like Tedford tries to run Cal's offense with a power running game and then vertical passing if the defense cheats up too much, but Stanford doesn't really have any burners at WR. They use TEs on seam routes to make the defense pay for crowding the LOS. If teams can take that away it might be a long season for the Cardinal.
Oregon
Yes, they lost to LSU, but they then went out and crushed their next two, admittedly inferior, opponents. Oregon still needs to demonstrate taht they can play against a team that will play smash mouth football. Their offense also seems to have slowed down a bit and they are definitely missing the experienced receivers Maehl and Dickson. Still they will be a difficult team to beat.
Washington
I could have put Cal or Washington 3rd in the division. Right now Washington probably doesn't deserve this spot, but they have the advantage of playing the head to head at home next weekend. Washington has a good offense with one of the best RBs in the conference in Polk. Unfortunately they also have a very weak defense that every one of their opponents has moved the ball against. Washington appears to be in the position of having to win shootouts and against teams like Stanford and Oregon they will have little chance.
Cal
The defense has looked good in 2 games but looked lost against Colorado and the O-line struggles haven't been completely fixed. Still they are one of only 3 teams in the conference that is still undefeated after only 3 weeks. They definitely look better than Washington State, Oregon State and UCLA, but have not demonstrated that they can beat an Oregon or USC.
Washington State
They played SDSU close for a half and then faded due to a lack of depth. Even with Tuel they are moving the ball well on offense. However, they have yet to show that they have much of a defense. Still they could get to 6-6 with an upset win or 2. And right now they look much better than Oregon State or UCLA.
Oregon State
The only team in the conference with no wins, and they havent' deserved a win. They have been the one team in the north with absolutely no offense. They arne't helped by injuries and hope to get a couple of their starters back shortly, but so far this team has been the weakest of the teams in the North.
South
USC
USC is the only team in the south with no losses, but the truth is that they havent' looked as dominating as in the past. There is no question that they are vulnerable this season. One thing I noticed is taht they love to line up trips to one side and throw a screen pass to Woods on that side. Teams will start to watch for this. I'm sure Kiffin believes it will relax the center of the defense and give his RBs more room, but so far the O-line for USC hasn't really impressed me. On defense they are as fast as usual, but a bit undisicplined and will likely have trouble stopping teams iwth experienced QBs
utah
Utah did lose to USC in a close game. They are using an inexperienced QB who had some trouble adjusting to the speed of the SC pass rush. Still they kept that game close and then blew out BYU in a game many expected to be close. Its possible that Utah will finish in the top half of the division in their first year.
ASU
ASU does have a win against a team that was ranked when they faced, so they go here. They haven't really been impressive and their QB wilted against Illinois this weekend. With their continuing issues with disciplined play on defense they are going to struggle against the high powered and experienced offenses of the Pac-12
Arizona
Zona might not deserve to be here considering that they haven't been a BCS team since September of last season. They went on a 5 game losing streak last season and have opened this season with 2 losses to BCS teams and a win against a 1-AA school. Defense appears to be their biggest weakness as Foles is a good QB, but coaching might be their real problem as they seemed to by their own worst enemy last night against Stanford.
Colorado
After an ugly loss in Hawaii, Colorado played Cal close and then defeated Colorado State. The team has an experienced QB in Hansen and a very good offensive coordinator who is going to develop good game plans. Colorado is still going to struggle this season as they don't have the talent to dominate the better teams in the conference, but they should be able to keep msot games close.
UCLA
No passing offense, 2 QBs who just aren't very good, and not enough playmakers on defense to really slow down other teams. UCLA has not clooked good so far this season and right now is probably the weakest team in the South. They need a QB desperately down in Westwood.