The Pac-12 North is 6-2 vs the South so far this year. In fact, the top 5 teams of the north are 6-0 vs the South and only Oregon State has lost to South teams (0-2).

The long-term prospects for the South are to be a feeder division for USC into the Pac-12 championship game. I'm glad Cal is in the North which will always be a very competitive division. The Pac-12 North is among the best divisions in college football with possibly only the SEC West being maybe better. Both have 2 championship contenders and both have 2 strong middle teams. The bottom of the Pac-12 North is probably even better than the SEC West in that Washington State & Oregon State > Mississippi State & Mississippi.

dajo9;584102 said:

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The Pac-12 North is 6-2 vs the South so far this year. In fact, the top 5 teams of the north are 6-0 vs the South and only Oregon State has lost to South teams (0-2).

The long-term prospects for the South are to be a feeder division for USC into the Pac-12 championship game. I'm glad Cal is in the North which will always be a very competitive division. The Pac-12 North is among the best divisions in college football with possibly only the SEC West being maybe better. Both have 2 championship contenders and both have 2 strong middle teams. The bottom of the Pac-12 North is probably even better than the SEC West in that Washington State & Oregon State > Mississippi State & Mississippi.

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That's arguable. I think Stanfrod goes back to reality after Luck leaves and Shaw realizes he's missing 2/3 of his staff, jury's still out on UW based on their blowout loss at Nebraska. WSU hasn't had a good season in a long time, and OSU is a consistent Top 20-25 team but not a consistent Top 10-15 team, which would constitute a powerhouse. Of course, the monster will be Oregon--at least until the NCAA puts the hammer down because of Lyles-gate.

Cal's got a huge opportunity to make some moves in 2012-14 with the SAHPC/New Memorial, the lingering effects of USC's sanctions in play, Luck gone, and Oregon probably on probation.

That's why I think in the years to come, the South will wield more power. The wildcards or fulcrums to make that happen, to me, are UCLA and Utah.

Utah has played BCS ball before (Sugar Bowl win over Alabama, final #2 ranking; Fiesta Bowl win over Pitt, final #4 ranking) and now that Whittingham has Pac-12 standing, it will be interesting to see how they take advantage of these new recruiting resources.

UCLA is a dead dog right now, but if Neuheisel were replaced with someone dynamic who can take advantage of USC's current shortcomings (schollie shortage, Kiffin's mediocrity as HC), with the L.A. market, they will always be a threat.

Right now the North may be king, but I'm actually glad we're there, especially long-term. Why? Because after 52 years and counting without a Rose Bowl or any type of BCS Bowl, the path of least resistance looks real good right now. :p

CGB2813;584204 said:

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That's arguable. I think Stanfrod goes back to reality after Luck leaves and Shaw realizes he's missing 2/3 of his staff, jury's still out on UW based on their blowout loss at Nebraska. WSU hasn't had a good season in a long time, and OSU is a consistent Top 20-25 team but not a consistent Top 10-15 team, which would constitute a powerhouse. Of course, the monster will be Oregon--at least until the NCAA puts the hammer down because of Lyles-gate.

Cal's got a huge opportunity to make some moves in 2012-14 with the SAHPC/New Memorial, the lingering effects of USC's sanctions in play, Luck gone, and Oregon probably on probation.

That's why I think in the years to come, the South will wield more power. The wildcards or fulcrums to make that happen, to me, are UCLA and Utah.

Utah has played BCS ball before (Sugar Bowl win over Alabama, final #2 ranking; Fiesta Bowl win over Pitt, final #4 ranking) and now that Whittingham has Pac-12 standing, it will be interesting to see how they take advantage of these new recruiting resources.

UCLA is a dead dog right now, but if Neuheisel were replaced with someone dynamic who can take advantage of USC's current shortcomings (schollie shortage, Kiffin's mediocrity as HC), with the L.A. market, they will always be a threat.

Right now the North may be king, but I'm actually glad we're there, especially long-term. Why? Because after 52 years and counting without a Rose Bowl or any type of BCS Bowl, the path of least resistance looks real good right now. :p

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It is far more likely that by the time USC and UCLA get back on their feet and Oregon returns to their natural level, Cal will be back in a division of the Pac-16 that includes USC and UCLA.

including Cal's win over Colorado?

WarTime Consigliere;584466 said:

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including Cal's win over Colorado?

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Yes, I included that game