Pac-12 Preseason Rankings: CFN College Football Preview 2021
The College Football News 2021 Pac-12 preseason rankings along with a quick take on every team.
This is NOT a ranking of where the teams are going to finish. This is based on how good we think the Pac-12 teams are going into the 2021 season.
2021 CFN Pac-12 Preseason Rankings: North
1. Oregon Ducks
Quick Take: Can Oregon get strong quarterback play out of Anthony Brown and/or Ty Thompson? The Duck defense should be amazing, and the rest of the parts are there to make another run to a Pac-12 title and possibly the College Football Playoff, but road game landmines – Ohio State, Utah, Washington, UCLA – are a problem.
Oregon Preview | Schedule
2. Washington Huskies
Quick Take: The 2020 season couldn’t quite get going and then got shut down before the team had a shot to do something great. Head coach Jimmy Lake has another team good enough to challenge for the Pac-12 title led by what should be the league’s best defense.
Washington Preview | Schedule
3. Stanford Cardinal
Quick Take: 12 games, 12 Power Five opponents – that’s not quite as daunting as it might appear to be, but it’s still impressive. The Cardinal have the talent and experience to be fantastic again after a few mediocre years, starting with a great defensive front seven.
Stanford Preview | Schedule
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4. Cal Golden Bears
Quick Take: It’s like Cal can’t quite get the engine to turn over. The defense will once again be great, and getting a healthy year out of QB Chase Garbers would be a huge deal. The linebackers and secondary are right up there with the Pac-12’s best.
Cal Preview | Schedule
5. Washington State Cougars
Quick Take: Nick Rolovich wasn’t able to get the 2020 team going, but in his second year at the helm he should get a whole lot more out of a great-looking offense. The linebacking corps will anchor an improved D.
Wazzu Preview | Schedule
6. Oregon State Beavers
Quick Take: The Beavers should be better, but the schedule isn’t bringing a whole lot of help – missing Arizona from the South hurts. The offensive line should be a big plus, but the defensive front has to prove it can hold up.
Oregon State Preview | Schedule
NEXT: 2021 CFN Pac-12 Preseason Rankings: South
2021 CFN Pac-12 Preseason Rankings: South
1. USC Trojans
Quick Take: It’s going to be an interesting year. There’s no Oregon or Washington to deal with, and the trip to Notre Dame should be the only time the Trojans are underdogs – the date at ASU might be close, too. This isn’t a special team, but the parts are there – along with that schedule – to be in the hunt for a massive season.
USC Preview | Schedule
2. Arizona State Sun Devils
Quick Take: The offseason darling of the college football media world still has to prove it can crank up a consistently good season. There’s enough talent to win the South – and the Pac-12 title – and missing Oregon from the North is a giant break.The passing game and defensive front seven will dominate at times.
Arizona State Preview | Schedule
3. Utah Utes
Quick Take: Very, very under the radar, the Utes have the lines, the defense, and the makeup to slide on into a third trip to the Pac-12 title in the last four years if they can catch a few breaks. They miss Washington, but they have to go to USC.
Utah Preview | Schedule
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Pac 12 Preseason Predictions For Every Game: Preview 2021
4. UCLA Bruins
Quick Take: Enough’s enough – the guys Chip Kelly needs should be there. The special teams are great, the safeties are among the best in the league, and QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson has been around long enough to make the O more consistent.
UCLA Preview | Schedule
5. Colorado Buffaloes
Quick Take: The Buffs were the big Pac-12 surprise of 2020, but it should be a rougher run with a tougher schedule highlighted by a brutal finishing kick of four road games in the final six. The linebacking corps is a plus and the running game will be great, but it’ll be more of a grind.
Colorado Preview | Schedule
6. Arizona Wildcats
Quick Take: Give it a year or so. New head coach Jedd Fisch is trying to change around everything with the Wildcats – there’s going to be a defense in the near future – but 2021 will be measured in baby steps.
Arizona Preview | Schedule
