College Football Futures: The Stanford Cardinal has ruled the Pac 12 North Division as champions the past two seasons as they were able to have the answer to the mighty Oregon Ducks and their lethal offensive capabilities. But many fans and handicappers believe that this will be the year that Oregon finishes the sale and makes the Pac 12 Championship game as junior QB Marcus Mariota leads eight returning starters to an offense that averaged 46 points per game in 2013. Meanwhile a team that is definitely on the Wise Guy’s radar is the Washington Huskies as Chris Petersen, the most successful coach in Boise State Broncos history, takes the reigns of a team that returns 14 starters and 48 lettermen from a 9-4 team last year. Oregon State and Washington State look potentially pesky and dangerous while rebuilding Cal still needs time.
Terrific Trio
Petersen is the potential dynamic that Washington has needed to breakout as a true title contender. The Huskies will host a Stanford team that they nearly beat last year and will play at Oregon in two circle the calendar games. Oregon has the scheduling advantage of hosting Stanford. The tough road games at Oregon and at Washington do not help Stanford’s prospects. Keep in mind that Oregon had to play through the transition from the departed head coach Chip Kelly to his replacement Mark Helfrich and the stability of 2014 must rate as a positive. Stanford has been inconsistent on offense which may finally catch up with them in 2014 in a league loaded with prolific offenses.
Life of Riley
Senior QB Sean Mannion gives head coach Mike Riley and the Oregon State Beavers immediate credibility and ability after putting up eye popping numbers of 4662 yards passing with a 37/15 TD/INT ratio.
The Pirate
Speaking of high profile QB’s and passing attacks there are few as productive as head coach Mike Leach’s Washington State Cougars. Senior QB Connor Halladay threw for 4597 yards and a 34/22 TD/INT ratio as the Cougars made a bowl for the first time in ten years.
True Freshman Jared Goff passed for over 3500 yards at Cal for a promising look last year.
Our Prognosis
“Timing is everything” the old saying goes and Oregon getting its two main rivals at home gives them the edge to take the Pac 12 North!
