Pac-12: Kenjon Barner
As part of “College Football Live’s” 100 Days Till Kickoff countdown, here’s a look at the top 10 players in the Pac-12.
This list, by the way, may or may not match the Pac-12 blog's preseason top 25, which will be posted later in the summer.
1. Matt Barkley, QB, USC: Best QB in the nation. Would have been a top-10 pick in this past NFL draft. Could go No. 1 overall in 2013. He completed 69 percent of his passes for 3,528 yards, with 39 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 2011.
2. De'Anthony Thomas, RB/WR, Oregon: Thomas is one of the nation's most explosive players and a leading Heisman Trophy candidate. He rushed for 595 yards and seven TDs in 2011, averaging 10.8 yards per carry. He caught 46 passes for 605 yards and nine TDs. He averaged 27.3 yards per kick return with two TDs.
3. Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah: Lotulelei may be the nation's best defensive tackle. He likely will be an early first-round pick in the 2013 NFL draft. The Morris Trophy winner as the Pac-12's best D-lineman, he had 44 total tackles, with nine coming for a loss. He had 1.5 sacks, a pass break-up, forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
4. Robert Woods, WR, USC: Woods, first-team All-Pac-12 in 2011, earned first-team All-American honors from the AP, The Sporting News and was second-team with Walter Camp. He caught 111 passes for 1,292 yards with 15 TDs in 2011.
5. Marqise Lee, WR, USC: Lee might share All-American honors with Woods this season. He stepped up late in 2011 when Woods was hurt, catching seven of his 11 TD passes over the final five games and hauling in 21 passes for 411 yards in the final two -- wins over Oregon and UCLA. For the season, he caught 73 passes for 1,143 yards with 11 touchdowns. He also averaged 28.5 yards on 10 kickoff returns, with an 88-yard TD.
6. Keith Price, QB, Washington: As a first-year, sophomore starter, Price passed for 3,063 yards with 33 touchdown passes, with those numbers ranking second and first all-time for the Huskies. His 66.9 completion percentage and 161.09 passing efficiency rating were both school records.
7. Chase Thomas, OLB, Stanford: Thomas was first-team All-Pac-12 and an All-American for The Sporting News in 2011. He had 52 total tackles and led the Pac-12 with 17.5 tackles for a loss, three more than anyone else. He was also second in the conference with 8.5 sacks and five forced fumbles.
8. Keenan Allen, WR, California: Allen earned first-team All-Pac-12 honors after ranking second in the Pac-12 in receiving yards. His 103.3 receiving yards per game ranked 10th in the nation and third in the conference. He caught 98 passes for 1,343 yards with six touchdowns and averaged 13.7 yards per reception in 2011.
9. Marquess Wilson, WR, Washington State: Wilson earned second-team All-Pac-12 honors in 2011 and is an All-American candidate in 2012. He ranked first in the Pac-12 and sixth in the nation with 115.7 yards receiving per game. His 12 touchdown receptions ranked second in the conference. His 16.9 yards per catch ranked third. He caught 82 passes for 1,388 yards with 12 touchdowns.
10. Kenjon Barner, RB, Oregon: Barner was the nation's best backup running back in 2011 behind LaMichael James. He ranked eighth in the Pac-12 in rushing at 78.2 yards per game. He rushed for 939 yards and 11 TDs in 2011 and caught 17 passes with three other TDs. He has rushed for 1,856 yards and 20 TDs in his career.
Happy Friday.
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To the notes.
Dave from Birmingham writes: Not sure I get you. Why would you not want the four best teams to play in a playoff? That's what a playoff is about. I know there's a subjective part to this but that's inevitable. Is everyone that afraid of a consensus favoring the SEC because the SEC is the best conference?
Ted Miller: In a word, yes. And no matter how you frame it, that so-called consensus remains subjective. And I know this from experience.
In 1996, I worked at the Mobile Register and I was arguing with Mike Griffith, who then covered Alabama for the Register and voted in the AP poll. Now, everybody argues with Mike, but I thought he was being particularly obtuse this particular afternoon because he was touting Arizona State. I was blathering that Arizona State would have four losses if it played in the SEC.
Yes, I once was one of them. Why? Because that was the way I was raised. Football in the south, as writer Rick Bragg once ostentatiously pandered, is like a "knife fight in a ditch"! That's a bunch of silliness, but such sentiments nonetheless are inculcated into fans and they seep into the media coverage -- in the Southeast as well as other parts of the country where fetishizing the peculiarity of the South is embraced. So I understand the roots of the "just because" reaction of so many SEC fans. And I experienced its power as a sportswriter.
When I moved out to Seattle to cover Washington, I still had a "just because" feeling about West Coast vs. Southeast football. When Miami came to Husky Stadium in 2000, I thought the Hurricanes would blast the Huskies. Ergo, my initial transformative moment was watching Washington physically manhandle the Hurricanes. Don't be fooled by the final score: The Huskies owned Miami that day.
My point: Regional biases are strong and they cloud thinking, even when they feel rational. That's why there needs to be a safeguard in our new four-team playoff system for some degree of objectivity, which prioritizing conference champions provides.
I know any questions about SEC super-awesomeness make SEC folks angry. I know: Six crystal footballs. No one is doubting the SEC's ability to dominate the BCS system. And I have no doubt that dominance of a subjective system -- a beauty contest, really -- has helped push the SEC closer to something that can be judged as a more objective superiority (read: self-fulfilling prophecy).
But if we're going to have a national college football playoff, we need to create a selection process that doesn't leave open the possibility of a tag always going to a runner from a certain conference, just because.
Edward from Atlanta writes: Do you think USC coach Lane Kiffin and his staff are better at recruiting than Pete Carroll and his staff? I look at the fact that Lane Kiffin is only working with 15 scholarships and he is still bringing in top recruits after everything that has taking placed. Just imagine if he did had all his scholarships he would probably have a top 3 or top 5 recruiting class every year.
Ted Miller: No.
Kiffin and his staff are recruiting very well, but they can't do much better than Pete Carroll and his staff did from 2002-2009. You say top-three to -five each year? Carroll landed the No. 1 class multiple times. Any rare rating outside the top five was deemed an off-year. Carroll's recruiting run rates among the best run a program has produced -- think Bobby Bowden in the glory years at Florida State.
It's also worth noting that Carroll and Kiffin share two ace recruiters: Kiffin and Ed Orgeron.
Jeff from Tempe, Ariz., writes: Who do you think is going to be the starting quarterback for ASU to begin the season?
Ted Miller: That's a tough one. When I watched practice, I thought Mike Bercovici was so much better as a passer that he should be the guy. But then you have to realize that new coach Todd Graham wants to run some spread option, and that requires the quarterback to be a running threat. Bercovici is no running threat, while 6-foot-5, 242-pound Michael Eubank is. And Eubank has potential as a passer, though at present he's raw.
The easy answer is start Bercovici but use some packages with Eubank. But that's sort of a fan answer. Most coaches don't like playing two quarterbacks. They'll tell you if you play two, it means you don't have any. And QBs are not big fans of sharing the job.
I used to be a Bercovici lean, but now I'm leaning toward Eubank. Here's why: This team is much better at running back than at receiver. Even with Bercovici's live arm, this probably is going to be a run-first offense, and it makes things much more difficult for a defense if it must account for the QB as a runner. Eubank can become at least an adequate passer. Bercovici is unlikely to do the same as a runner.
Mark from Garden Grove, Calif., writes: If you could play matchmaker, which Big Ten/Pac-12 schools would you pair for the 2017 season -- and why?
Ted Miller: OK, I'll bite, basing things on where the college football world is today.
Rapsai from Eugene, Ore., writes: Ted, with Oregon's lack of depth at RB, do you see Josh Huff maybe sliding into the backfield to play some RB for the Ducks next season?
Ted Miller: A perfectly reasonable solution if there are injury issues in the backfield.
Does it make me a bad person that I don't think the Ducks are going to hurting at running back? I just think with Chip Kelly's emphasis on speed in recruiting that the Ducks will pretty much have an answer at RB, no matter how many guys get hurt. Recall that Kenjon Barner started out as a defensive back.
John from Los Angeles writes: I guess this falls into my "you know your old when you have a story for everything" file. In reading the post about Jonathan Ogden going into the HOF, I noticed your comment on his massive size. My buddies and I take a football road trip every year. We used to include the Baltimore Ravens in the trip because Will Demps (former Ravens safety) played at the high school where my buddy is the AD and he would get us tickets. Anyway, after a game against the Bengals at Cincinnati we are standing next to the Ravens team bus talking to Demps, Ogden and his people come up next to us - and he literally blocks out the sun!! You truly cannot appreciate how BIG the guy is until you stand right next to him. My buddy is wearing his USC cap (he is a big fan), so to amuse myself I keep whispering "Jack, show Ogden your hat." My friend kept his back to Ogden the entire time.
Ted Miller: I remember covering the 1996 Citrus Bowl between Ohio State and Tennessee -- which was cool because both were ranked No. 4 entering the game -- and walking up to the Ohio State bus. I saw No. 75 horsing around around this itty-bitty guy with a bald head who was No. 27.
The itty bitty guy was 6-foot-3, 240-pound, Heisman Trophy-winning running back Eddie George, and No. 75 was 6-foot-7, 325-pound Orlando Pace, who at that moment was the biggest dude I'd ever seen.
And Ogden -- at 6-foot-9, 345 -- darn near dwarfs Pace.
Only guy who ever impressed me as more spectacularly large was Shaquille O'Neal.
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To the notes.
Dave from Birmingham writes: Not sure I get you. Why would you not want the four best teams to play in a playoff? That's what a playoff is about. I know there's a subjective part to this but that's inevitable. Is everyone that afraid of a consensus favoring the SEC because the SEC is the best conference?
Ted Miller: In a word, yes. And no matter how you frame it, that so-called consensus remains subjective. And I know this from experience.
In 1996, I worked at the Mobile Register and I was arguing with Mike Griffith, who then covered Alabama for the Register and voted in the AP poll. Now, everybody argues with Mike, but I thought he was being particularly obtuse this particular afternoon because he was touting Arizona State. I was blathering that Arizona State would have four losses if it played in the SEC.
Yes, I once was one of them. Why? Because that was the way I was raised. Football in the south, as writer Rick Bragg once ostentatiously pandered, is like a "knife fight in a ditch"! That's a bunch of silliness, but such sentiments nonetheless are inculcated into fans and they seep into the media coverage -- in the Southeast as well as other parts of the country where fetishizing the peculiarity of the South is embraced. So I understand the roots of the "just because" reaction of so many SEC fans. And I experienced its power as a sportswriter.
When I moved out to Seattle to cover Washington, I still had a "just because" feeling about West Coast vs. Southeast football. When Miami came to Husky Stadium in 2000, I thought the Hurricanes would blast the Huskies. Ergo, my initial transformative moment was watching Washington physically manhandle the Hurricanes. Don't be fooled by the final score: The Huskies owned Miami that day.
My point: Regional biases are strong and they cloud thinking, even when they feel rational. That's why there needs to be a safeguard in our new four-team playoff system for some degree of objectivity, which prioritizing conference champions provides.
I know any questions about SEC super-awesomeness make SEC folks angry. I know: Six crystal footballs. No one is doubting the SEC's ability to dominate the BCS system. And I have no doubt that dominance of a subjective system -- a beauty contest, really -- has helped push the SEC closer to something that can be judged as a more objective superiority (read: self-fulfilling prophecy).
But if we're going to have a national college football playoff, we need to create a selection process that doesn't leave open the possibility of a tag always going to a runner from a certain conference, just because.
Edward from Atlanta writes: Do you think USC coach Lane Kiffin and his staff are better at recruiting than Pete Carroll and his staff? I look at the fact that Lane Kiffin is only working with 15 scholarships and he is still bringing in top recruits after everything that has taking placed. Just imagine if he did had all his scholarships he would probably have a top 3 or top 5 recruiting class every year.
Ted Miller: No.
Kiffin and his staff are recruiting very well, but they can't do much better than Pete Carroll and his staff did from 2002-2009. You say top-three to -five each year? Carroll landed the No. 1 class multiple times. Any rare rating outside the top five was deemed an off-year. Carroll's recruiting run rates among the best run a program has produced -- think Bobby Bowden in the glory years at Florida State.
It's also worth noting that Carroll and Kiffin share two ace recruiters: Kiffin and Ed Orgeron.
Jeff from Tempe, Ariz., writes: Who do you think is going to be the starting quarterback for ASU to begin the season?
Ted Miller: That's a tough one. When I watched practice, I thought Mike Bercovici was so much better as a passer that he should be the guy. But then you have to realize that new coach Todd Graham wants to run some spread option, and that requires the quarterback to be a running threat. Bercovici is no running threat, while 6-foot-5, 242-pound Michael Eubank is. And Eubank has potential as a passer, though at present he's raw.
The easy answer is start Bercovici but use some packages with Eubank. But that's sort of a fan answer. Most coaches don't like playing two quarterbacks. They'll tell you if you play two, it means you don't have any. And QBs are not big fans of sharing the job.
I used to be a Bercovici lean, but now I'm leaning toward Eubank. Here's why: This team is much better at running back than at receiver. Even with Bercovici's live arm, this probably is going to be a run-first offense, and it makes things much more difficult for a defense if it must account for the QB as a runner. Eubank can become at least an adequate passer. Bercovici is unlikely to do the same as a runner.
Mark from Garden Grove, Calif., writes: If you could play matchmaker, which Big Ten/Pac-12 schools would you pair for the 2017 season -- and why?
Ted Miller: OK, I'll bite, basing things on where the college football world is today.
- Oregon-Ohio State: Urban Meyer vs. Chip Kelly. 'Nuff said.
- Arizona-Michigan: The Rich Rodriguez Bowl.
- Stanford-Wisconsin: Two really good schools that play smashmouth football.
- Oregon State-Michigan State: All that green would have the Beavers feeling like they're play Oregon.
- USC-Penn State: Two old-school powers whose uniforms are among the most recognizable.
- Nebraska-Arizona State: Any Sun Devils recall 1996?
- Northwestern-California: Two elite academic universities.
- Washington-Iowa: A rematch of the 1982, 1991 Rose Bowls, both won by the Huskies.
- Colorado-Purdue: Two great mascots. (Colorado would have been a good one for Nebraska, too.)
- Utah-Illinois: Utes vs. Fighting Illini.
- Washington State-Minnesota: The Cold Bowl.
- UCLA-Indiana: Two old-school basketball powers playing football.
Rapsai from Eugene, Ore., writes: Ted, with Oregon's lack of depth at RB, do you see Josh Huff maybe sliding into the backfield to play some RB for the Ducks next season?
Ted Miller: A perfectly reasonable solution if there are injury issues in the backfield.
Does it make me a bad person that I don't think the Ducks are going to hurting at running back? I just think with Chip Kelly's emphasis on speed in recruiting that the Ducks will pretty much have an answer at RB, no matter how many guys get hurt. Recall that Kenjon Barner started out as a defensive back.
John from Los Angeles writes: I guess this falls into my "you know your old when you have a story for everything" file. In reading the post about Jonathan Ogden going into the HOF, I noticed your comment on his massive size. My buddies and I take a football road trip every year. We used to include the Baltimore Ravens in the trip because Will Demps (former Ravens safety) played at the high school where my buddy is the AD and he would get us tickets. Anyway, after a game against the Bengals at Cincinnati we are standing next to the Ravens team bus talking to Demps, Ogden and his people come up next to us - and he literally blocks out the sun!! You truly cannot appreciate how BIG the guy is until you stand right next to him. My buddy is wearing his USC cap (he is a big fan), so to amuse myself I keep whispering "Jack, show Ogden your hat." My friend kept his back to Ogden the entire time.
Ted Miller: I remember covering the 1996 Citrus Bowl between Ohio State and Tennessee -- which was cool because both were ranked No. 4 entering the game -- and walking up to the Ohio State bus. I saw No. 75 horsing around around this itty-bitty guy with a bald head who was No. 27.
The itty bitty guy was 6-foot-3, 240-pound, Heisman Trophy-winning running back Eddie George, and No. 75 was 6-foot-7, 325-pound Orlando Pace, who at that moment was the biggest dude I'd ever seen.
And Ogden -- at 6-foot-9, 345 -- darn near dwarfs Pace.
Only guy who ever impressed me as more spectacularly large was Shaquille O'Neal.
Take 2: Best shape without starting QB?
May, 11, 2012
May 11
12:00
PM ET
By
Kevin Gemmell and
Ted Miller | ESPN.com
Our topic today: Which team that has a TBA at quarterback is in the best shape?
The choices: Arizona State, Colorado, Oregon, Stanford and UCLA. (We're leaving Washington State out because Jeff Tuel is a heavy front-runner, no matter how coy Mike Leach is about things).
Kevin Gemmell: Oregon -- by far -- is in the best shape of the teams yet to name a quarterback. For starters, they have the most exciting player in the conference in De'Anthony Thomas. Regardless of whether Bryan Bennett or Marcus Mariota wins the job, Thomas is going to take a 2-yard swing pass and turn it into a 50-yard touchdown. Probably a few times. He's going to make the new guy look really, really good.
And it's not like the Ducks have a history of rebuilding projects whenever Chip Kelly needs a new quarterback. How'd Darron Thomas work out? A berth in the national championship game and a Rose Bowl victory. Not bad. Same could be said for obscure JC transfer Jeremiah Masoli, who only led the Ducks to the 2010 Rose Bowl.
The offensive line should be fine protecting him with key returners like Hroniss Grasu, Carson York and Nick Cody. Plus, Oregon rotates offensive linemen so liberally the quarterback is going to have fresh bodies flanking him.
There are plenty of weapons already in place for the starter-to-be. Be it Josh Huff (status pending), tight end Colt Lyerla, who is a star on the rise, and Kenjon Barner to carry the load on the ground.
When you look at the rest of the teams sans starting quarterbacks, there are just too many questions to confidently say it's going to be a smooth transition. UCLA and ASU are starting from scratch with new coaches and new systems. Colorado is probably headed for a long season and Andrew Luck's successor has to replace -- well -- Andrew Luck. Good luck with that (pun, definitely not intended).
Oregon's transition might not be silky-smooth, but it's going to be a lot easier than the other four teams trying to replace a starter. The schedule works to the Ducks' favor with the first four games at home, which should give the new guy plenty of time to get comfortable. They might find themselves in a shootout at Washington State in the fifth game, but they don't even need to leave the Pacific Northwest until mid-October.
This offense is plug-and-play and whoever gets the job is going to be just fine.
Ted Miller: Sometimes you're screwed on a Take 2 when you go second. Kevin states a strong case. Does anyone really believe the Ducks' quarterback will be a liability this year? The answer is no.
Of course, that level of certainty could be burden, as could taking over the starting job for a top-five team. No team in the nation with uncertainty at QB this spring will be ranked higher in the preseason. Know what a disappointing regular season now looks like in Eugene? 10-2. In other words, this Ducks QB job brings a lot of pressure and high expectations. Being "pretty good for a first-year starter" will rate a fail with many fans.
None of that will be the case at UCLA. Bruins fans are starved for quarterback play that is just north of mediocre. The good news is that they will get at least that this fall. And they may be pleasantly surprised.
Start with this: Offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone. He transformed Brock Osweiler from a basketball player playing football to a second-round NFL draft pick. Mazzone is a charismatic guy -- though a follically challenged one -- who knows how to teach. He's been called a QB guru. Guys like Tim Tebow, Philip Rivers and Christian Ponder seek him out.
Then there are the three guys competing. You have the quarterback of the future in redshirt freshman Brett Hundley, and you have two seniors who have seen just about everything in Kevin Prince and Richard Brehaut. Hundley has tons of potential. He's an athletic guy who's pass-first. Sort of like Osweiler, only 4 inches shorter.
Prince and Brehaut have been maligned by Bruins fans, and not entirely without justification. Both have produced strong games. And both have played poorly. Inconsistency is not a good thing for a quarterback. But both have nothing to lose in their final year of college football. If both are healthy, they can be solid QBs. They certainly are better suited for Mazzone's spread than the pistol they've been running the past two years.
The talent around them isn't bad. There's a good stable of running backs with Johnathan Franklin, Malcolm Jones and the rising Steven Manfro. TE/WR Joseph Fauria is going to be a high NFL draft pick next spring. The offensive line has a chance to be, well, OK.
Mazzone has options here, too. He can hand the job to Hundley, knowing he's got two experienced guys who can play if he needs them. Or he can start one of his veterans and bring Hundley in for special packages, perhaps steadily increasing his reps as the season goes on. (Mazzone, like most coaches, has always said he prefers just one guy, so know that second scenario is mostly me throwing a speculative thought into the air).
Further, whoever wins the job won't be operating under the microscope like the Oregon starter will. Expectations for the Bruins aren't high. If the QB is just solid -- say, ranking sixth or seventh in the conference in passing efficiency -- then he will be widely viewed as succeeding. And if he can get seven or eight wins, Bruins fans will extend new coach Jim Mora's honeymoon a season.
The choices: Arizona State, Colorado, Oregon, Stanford and UCLA. (We're leaving Washington State out because Jeff Tuel is a heavy front-runner, no matter how coy Mike Leach is about things).
Kevin Gemmell: Oregon -- by far -- is in the best shape of the teams yet to name a quarterback. For starters, they have the most exciting player in the conference in De'Anthony Thomas. Regardless of whether Bryan Bennett or Marcus Mariota wins the job, Thomas is going to take a 2-yard swing pass and turn it into a 50-yard touchdown. Probably a few times. He's going to make the new guy look really, really good.
[+] Enlarge
Steve Dykes/Getty ImagesChip Kelly might not know who Oregon's starting QB will be, but he can be sure that he'll have a talented supporting cast on offense.
Steve Dykes/Getty ImagesChip Kelly might not know who Oregon's starting QB will be, but he can be sure that he'll have a talented supporting cast on offense.The offensive line should be fine protecting him with key returners like Hroniss Grasu, Carson York and Nick Cody. Plus, Oregon rotates offensive linemen so liberally the quarterback is going to have fresh bodies flanking him.
There are plenty of weapons already in place for the starter-to-be. Be it Josh Huff (status pending), tight end Colt Lyerla, who is a star on the rise, and Kenjon Barner to carry the load on the ground.
When you look at the rest of the teams sans starting quarterbacks, there are just too many questions to confidently say it's going to be a smooth transition. UCLA and ASU are starting from scratch with new coaches and new systems. Colorado is probably headed for a long season and Andrew Luck's successor has to replace -- well -- Andrew Luck. Good luck with that (pun, definitely not intended).
Oregon's transition might not be silky-smooth, but it's going to be a lot easier than the other four teams trying to replace a starter. The schedule works to the Ducks' favor with the first four games at home, which should give the new guy plenty of time to get comfortable. They might find themselves in a shootout at Washington State in the fifth game, but they don't even need to leave the Pacific Northwest until mid-October.
This offense is plug-and-play and whoever gets the job is going to be just fine.
Ted Miller: Sometimes you're screwed on a Take 2 when you go second. Kevin states a strong case. Does anyone really believe the Ducks' quarterback will be a liability this year? The answer is no.
Of course, that level of certainty could be burden, as could taking over the starting job for a top-five team. No team in the nation with uncertainty at QB this spring will be ranked higher in the preseason. Know what a disappointing regular season now looks like in Eugene? 10-2. In other words, this Ducks QB job brings a lot of pressure and high expectations. Being "pretty good for a first-year starter" will rate a fail with many fans.
None of that will be the case at UCLA. Bruins fans are starved for quarterback play that is just north of mediocre. The good news is that they will get at least that this fall. And they may be pleasantly surprised.
Start with this: Offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone. He transformed Brock Osweiler from a basketball player playing football to a second-round NFL draft pick. Mazzone is a charismatic guy -- though a follically challenged one -- who knows how to teach. He's been called a QB guru. Guys like Tim Tebow, Philip Rivers and Christian Ponder seek him out.
[+] Enlarge
Chris Williams/Icon SMINew UCLA offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone has a reputation as a QB guru; now he just needs to pick one for the Bruins.
Chris Williams/Icon SMINew UCLA offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone has a reputation as a QB guru; now he just needs to pick one for the Bruins.Prince and Brehaut have been maligned by Bruins fans, and not entirely without justification. Both have produced strong games. And both have played poorly. Inconsistency is not a good thing for a quarterback. But both have nothing to lose in their final year of college football. If both are healthy, they can be solid QBs. They certainly are better suited for Mazzone's spread than the pistol they've been running the past two years.
The talent around them isn't bad. There's a good stable of running backs with Johnathan Franklin, Malcolm Jones and the rising Steven Manfro. TE/WR Joseph Fauria is going to be a high NFL draft pick next spring. The offensive line has a chance to be, well, OK.
Mazzone has options here, too. He can hand the job to Hundley, knowing he's got two experienced guys who can play if he needs them. Or he can start one of his veterans and bring Hundley in for special packages, perhaps steadily increasing his reps as the season goes on. (Mazzone, like most coaches, has always said he prefers just one guy, so know that second scenario is mostly me throwing a speculative thought into the air).
Further, whoever wins the job won't be operating under the microscope like the Oregon starter will. Expectations for the Bruins aren't high. If the QB is just solid -- say, ranking sixth or seventh in the conference in passing efficiency -- then he will be widely viewed as succeeding. And if he can get seven or eight wins, Bruins fans will extend new coach Jim Mora's honeymoon a season.
The 2012 NFL draft is over. So, naturally, let's look ahead to the 2013 draft. Will the Pac-12 recover from a miserable showing this go-around?
Maybe.
Here are the Pac-12 players on a list of the top-30 prospects from Bucky Brooks of NFL.com.
1. Matt Barkley, QB, USC
3. Robert Woods, WR, USC
11. Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah
19. Dion Jordan, DE, Oregon
23. T.J. McDonald, S, USC
26. Keenan Allen, WR, California
28. Joseph Fauria, TE, UCLA
This list of the top-five prospects by position has solid Pac-12 representation.
QB: No. 1 Barkley
RB: No. 2 Kenjon Barner, Oregon
WR: No. 1 Woods, No. 2 Allen
TE: No. 2 Fauria, No. 3 Zach Ertz, Stanford
Interior line: No. 2 Khaled Holmes, USC (center)
DT: No. 2 Lotulelei
ILB: No. 4 Shayne Skov, Stanford
CB: No. 5 Jordan Poyer, Oregon State
S: No. 2 McDonald, USC
Specialists: No. 5 Jeff Locke, UCLA (punter)
Maybe.
Here are the Pac-12 players on a list of the top-30 prospects from Bucky Brooks of NFL.com.
1. Matt Barkley, QB, USC
3. Robert Woods, WR, USC
11. Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah
19. Dion Jordan, DE, Oregon
23. T.J. McDonald, S, USC
26. Keenan Allen, WR, California
28. Joseph Fauria, TE, UCLA
This list of the top-five prospects by position has solid Pac-12 representation.
QB: No. 1 Barkley
RB: No. 2 Kenjon Barner, Oregon
WR: No. 1 Woods, No. 2 Allen
TE: No. 2 Fauria, No. 3 Zach Ertz, Stanford
Interior line: No. 2 Khaled Holmes, USC (center)
DT: No. 2 Lotulelei
ILB: No. 4 Shayne Skov, Stanford
CB: No. 5 Jordan Poyer, Oregon State
S: No. 2 McDonald, USC
Specialists: No. 5 Jeff Locke, UCLA (punter)
Despite the Pac-12 conference being home to some of the best quarterbacks and wide receivers in the country, some teams do occasionally run the football. Some better than others. Some really better than others.
Our friends at Athlon Sports continue their series of assorted Pac-12 rankings. They've given us the Pac-12 coaches and quarterbacks, and now they are up with their running back rankings.
Here's how the top 20 shakes out, which includes last year's production, expectations for 2012 and surrounding personnel:
Initial thoughts:
Our friends at Athlon Sports continue their series of assorted Pac-12 rankings. They've given us the Pac-12 coaches and quarterbacks, and now they are up with their running back rankings.
Here's how the top 20 shakes out, which includes last year's production, expectations for 2012 and surrounding personnel:
- De'Anthony Thomas, Oregon
- Kenjon Barner, Oregon
- John White, Utah
- Stepfan Taylor, Stanford
- Isi Sofele, Cal
- Cameron Marshall, Arizona State
- Johnathan Franklin, UCLA
- Curtis McNeal, USC
- Ka'Deem Carey, Arizona
- Jesse Callier, Washington
- Malcolm Agnew, Oregon State
- Rickey Galvin, Washington State
- Tony Jones, Colorado
- Bishop Sankey, Washington
- Tyler Gaffney, Stanford
- C.J. Anderson, Cal
- Nelson Agholor, USC
- Deantre Lewis, Arizona State
- Carl Winston, Washington State
- D.J. Morgan, USC
[+] Enlarge
Jim Z. Rider/US PresswireOregon's De'Anthony Thomas and Kenjon Barner (24) look to be the Pac-12's top RB duo.
Jim Z. Rider/US PresswireOregon's De'Anthony Thomas and Kenjon Barner (24) look to be the Pac-12's top RB duo.Initial thoughts:
- Unlike the quarterback rankings last week, where Ted and I both had some ideas on how we'd move things around, this top 10 seems pretty solid, give or take one or two spots. There will be some games when Barner takes the lead and others where Thomas does. And in the games when they both do, look out. So those two are interchangeable, but certainly worthy of the top two spots based on the scheme they are in and the numbers they are likely to produce.
- White will probably have better overall numbers than Taylor, because he's likely to have more carries. Taylor is Stanford's primary guy, but the Cardinal rotate liberally -- and with the aforementioned Gaffney, the emergence of Ricky Seale and Barry Sanders coming in, that could cut into some of his carries. But you can still ink Taylor in for 1,000 yards and close to double-digit touchdowns. Stanford and Utah have big holes to fill on the offensive line, but both backs are talented enough to absorb the change.
- Sofele is a good running back, but Anderson has come on strong and Daniel Lasco and Brendan Bigelow are expected to play bigger roles this season. Five might be a bit high -- depending on his job status.
- Interested to see what Marshall does without Noel Mazzone as his offensive coordinator. Interested to see what Franklin does with Mazzone as his offensive coordinator. Arizona State is pretty deep at the position, but Marshall is the guy.
- Without depth, McNeal is going to have to carry a lot of the load. And he's not exactly known for his durability. If the Trojans can get a couple of guys behind him to take a few snaps, he could be top five by season's end.
- Depending on how quickly the Wildcats pick up the offense, Carey is another guy who could potentially crack the top five. He has enough snaps under his belt and was productive enough in a different kind of spread that he should have very good numbers -- if he gets enough per-game carries.
- It looks more and more like Washington is moving more toward a by-committee approach with Callier and Sankey at the top of the list. Their overall ranking will depend on how many carries per game they get. By Week 3, we might be flip-flopping them.
- The final three years at Texas Tech, Mike Leach's rushing attack ranked 115th ('09), 94th ('08) and 119th ('07) nationally. Running backs come second in his offense. Just the way it is.
- Jones is a good playmaker on a team starving for them. But until we know who is going to throw the ball and catch the ball in Colorado, this ranking seems about right. He does have a couple of pretty good linemen blocking for him though, which could help him crack the top 10 by season's end.
All players are equal, but some players are more equal than others. That's the basis of our Most Important Player series.
First off, quarterbacks are excluded to make things more interesting. It goes without saying that Arizona's Matt Scott, USC's Matt Barkley and Washington's Keith Price are their teams' most important players. Their losses would be catastrophic.
And most important doesn't necessarily have to be "best." An All-American's backup can be pretty darn good, too.
Our most important guys are players who could swing a win total one way or the other, based on their living up to expectations. Or their absence.
Oregon: RB Kenjon Barner
2011 production: Barner rushed for 939 yards with 11 touchdowns -- 6.2 yards per carry -- and caught 17 passes for 184 yards with three TDs.
Why Barner is so important: The good news for the Ducks is their depth makes few players irreplaceable (alternatives here might have been DE Dion Jordan or safety John Boyett). But Barner is the clear choice for his own value and for what losing him would force the Ducks to do in order to adjust. Start with who Barner is: He's gained 1,836 yards rushing -- 6.1 yards per carry -- and scored 20 rushing TDs over the previous three seasons as LaMichael James' backup. He's also caught 34 passes for 335 yards with five scores and returned kicks and punts. The 5-foot-11, 195-pound senior has long been one of the best and most versatile running backs in the Pac-12, only he played behind one of the best RBs in conference history. This season is his chance to shine, so you'd expect him to be highly motivated to showcase his own skills. Further, Barner is a cool customer. His veteran presence in the huddle, which will feature a new starting QB, will be critical. He's been there, done that. He won't care if the entire college football world is watching on Nov. 3 when the Ducks visit USC in a game with almost certain national title implications. But if the Ducks were to lose him, things would get, well, interesting. For one, the transfer of promising Tra Carson, who would have played the "big" back role, was a blow. Second, De'Anthony Thomas is obviously fully capable of being spectacular wherever he plays, and if Barner were gone, he'd likely line up in the backfield more often than at receiver. Of course, it's fair to question Thomas' durability as a full-time running back, and obviously Thomas lining up without Barner significantly reduces stress on an opposing defense. My guess is that coach Chip Kelly would be thrilled if touted incoming freshman Byron Marshall proves he can be Barner's backup, with Thomas being the situational guy who lines up all over the place. It's odd to say this because just a few years ago Oregon's roster was chock full of talented RBs, but the lack of depth in the backfield is a legitimate concern heading into 2012.
First off, quarterbacks are excluded to make things more interesting. It goes without saying that Arizona's Matt Scott, USC's Matt Barkley and Washington's Keith Price are their teams' most important players. Their losses would be catastrophic.
And most important doesn't necessarily have to be "best." An All-American's backup can be pretty darn good, too.
Our most important guys are players who could swing a win total one way or the other, based on their living up to expectations. Or their absence.
Oregon: RB Kenjon Barner
2011 production: Barner rushed for 939 yards with 11 touchdowns -- 6.2 yards per carry -- and caught 17 passes for 184 yards with three TDs.
Why Barner is so important: The good news for the Ducks is their depth makes few players irreplaceable (alternatives here might have been DE Dion Jordan or safety John Boyett). But Barner is the clear choice for his own value and for what losing him would force the Ducks to do in order to adjust. Start with who Barner is: He's gained 1,836 yards rushing -- 6.1 yards per carry -- and scored 20 rushing TDs over the previous three seasons as LaMichael James' backup. He's also caught 34 passes for 335 yards with five scores and returned kicks and punts. The 5-foot-11, 195-pound senior has long been one of the best and most versatile running backs in the Pac-12, only he played behind one of the best RBs in conference history. This season is his chance to shine, so you'd expect him to be highly motivated to showcase his own skills. Further, Barner is a cool customer. His veteran presence in the huddle, which will feature a new starting QB, will be critical. He's been there, done that. He won't care if the entire college football world is watching on Nov. 3 when the Ducks visit USC in a game with almost certain national title implications. But if the Ducks were to lose him, things would get, well, interesting. For one, the transfer of promising Tra Carson, who would have played the "big" back role, was a blow. Second, De'Anthony Thomas is obviously fully capable of being spectacular wherever he plays, and if Barner were gone, he'd likely line up in the backfield more often than at receiver. Of course, it's fair to question Thomas' durability as a full-time running back, and obviously Thomas lining up without Barner significantly reduces stress on an opposing defense. My guess is that coach Chip Kelly would be thrilled if touted incoming freshman Byron Marshall proves he can be Barner's backup, with Thomas being the situational guy who lines up all over the place. It's odd to say this because just a few years ago Oregon's roster was chock full of talented RBs, but the lack of depth in the backfield is a legitimate concern heading into 2012.
Those who have been told the truth should not be taken for those who have been scorned.
- B.J. Denker will be the seventh quarterback on Arizona's 2012 roster.
- Lisa Love talks about being fired from ASU. Brock Osweiler showed enthusiasm and charisma during Jon Gruden's QB camp.
- Notes, thoughts and a video of Cal's spring session.
- Gus Handler showing consistency at center for Colorado.
- Kenjon Barner is adjusting to life as Oregon's starting running back. A breakdown of Oregon's trap play.
- Oregon State running back Storm Woods is more than just a name.
- Kevin Anderson impressing at linebacker for Stanford.
- Video of running back Buck Allen talking to reporters for the first time since arriving at USC.
- Utah's offense is making significant progress.
- Video of Washington guard James Atoe talking about making the most of his opportunities with the first team.
- A really great read by Danny O'Neil of the Seattle Times onthe downfall of former WSU quarterback Ryan Leaf. Will the computers like the Cougars next year?
Maman died today. Or yesterday maybe, I don't know. I got a telegram from the home: "Mother deceased. Funeral tomorrow. Faithfully yours." That doesn't mean anything. Maybe it was yesterday.
- What have we learned from Arizona's spring practices? Not too much. Wildcats WR Dan Buckner pays tribute to his grandfather.
- Arizona State eyeballs plan to renovate Sun Devil Stadium.
- California returned to practice, and it seems like the Bears might have found a No. 2 receiver.
- Colorado has a new graduate assistant with significant ties to the program.
- Oregon's three early-arrival true freshmen looked pretty good at practice. Running back Kenjon Barner steps into the spotlight.
- Oregon State coach Mike Riley flashes some intensity on Day 1 of spring. All the news wasn't good.
- Stanford outside linebacker Chase Thomas talks about why he didn't enter NFL draft and other Stanford notes.
- New UCLA coach Jim Mora was a whirlwind as the Bruins started spring practices. Video here.
- USC quarterback Jesse Scroggins needs to pick up the pace -- in the classroom. Some notes from USC's 10th practice.
- Quarterback Jon Hays is a bit of the forgotten man for Utah this spring, but he's trying to be positive.
- Some weighty issues for Washington.
- Video of Mike Leach and notes from Day 6 at Washington State.
In news that is no surprise, Oregon officially announced Monday that running back Tra Carson, who was in line to be the Ducks' power back behind Kenjon Barner and De'Anthony Thomas, is transferring.
In a news release, the school said Carson "did not return to school for the start of the spring term classes Monday, and intends to transfer closer to home."
The 6-0, 227-pound Carson ran for 254 yards and one touchdown in 10 games as a true freshman in 2011, in addition to catching one pass for six yards.
Carson's transfer opens the door for incoming freshman Byron Marshall to earn playing time this fall.
Starters in, starters out. That's college football. Players' eligibility expires, and they leave for the rest of their lives, whether that includes the NFL or not.
And they leave behind shoes of various sizes that need to be filled.
Our concern with this series? The biggest shoes -- in some cases Shaq-like size 23s.
Biggest shoes: Running back Chris Polk
Polk earned first-team All-Pac-12 honors and finished third in the conference in rushing in 2011, earning a No. 9 spot on our list of the top-25 players in the Pac-12 this past season. He rushed for 4,049 yards during his career, which ranks No. 2 on the Huskies' all-time list. He scored 26 touchdowns along the way and -- oh by the way -- caught 78 passes. But he's off to the NFL. He leaves behind huge shoes, particularly if the Huskies want to remain balanced, instead of relying entirely on quarterback Keith Price.
Stepping in: Running back Jesse Callier
Callier is not unlike Oregon's Kenjon Barner. He's been a capable backup to a superstar for two years, as Barner backed up LaMichael James for three seasons. The 5-foot-10, 203-pound Callier has rushed for 693 yards -- 5.6 yards per carry -- and caught 25 passes over the past two seasons. He's also seen extensive action as a kick returner. He's looked good at times, but not spectacular. He will get the first chance to prove he's an every-down, 25-carries-a-game guy. But he will be pushed by sophomore Bishop Sankey and JC transfer Antavius Sims, who is likely to play a hybrid running back/wide receiver role. No matter what, Callier won't get all the touches, just as Polk didn't. But it will be up to Callier to take over as the showcase back, instead of becoming a 1A with another runner becoming 1B. Or the Huskies could be going with the proverbial "running back by committee."
You can check out the rest of the "Big Shoes" series here.
And they leave behind shoes of various sizes that need to be filled.
Our concern with this series? The biggest shoes -- in some cases Shaq-like size 23s.
Biggest shoes: Running back Chris Polk
Polk earned first-team All-Pac-12 honors and finished third in the conference in rushing in 2011, earning a No. 9 spot on our list of the top-25 players in the Pac-12 this past season. He rushed for 4,049 yards during his career, which ranks No. 2 on the Huskies' all-time list. He scored 26 touchdowns along the way and -- oh by the way -- caught 78 passes. But he's off to the NFL. He leaves behind huge shoes, particularly if the Huskies want to remain balanced, instead of relying entirely on quarterback Keith Price.
Stepping in: Running back Jesse Callier
Callier is not unlike Oregon's Kenjon Barner. He's been a capable backup to a superstar for two years, as Barner backed up LaMichael James for three seasons. The 5-foot-10, 203-pound Callier has rushed for 693 yards -- 5.6 yards per carry -- and caught 25 passes over the past two seasons. He's also seen extensive action as a kick returner. He's looked good at times, but not spectacular. He will get the first chance to prove he's an every-down, 25-carries-a-game guy. But he will be pushed by sophomore Bishop Sankey and JC transfer Antavius Sims, who is likely to play a hybrid running back/wide receiver role. No matter what, Callier won't get all the touches, just as Polk didn't. But it will be up to Callier to take over as the showcase back, instead of becoming a 1A with another runner becoming 1B. Or the Huskies could be going with the proverbial "running back by committee."
You can check out the rest of the "Big Shoes" series here.
Oregon coach Chip Kelly runs a fast-paced offense and a fast-paced pre-spring football teleconference.
When a telephone operator announced there were no more questions in the queue on Wednesday -- instead of the customary reiteration of "Hit 'star-1' to ask a question" -- Kelly hung up before completing the typical roster run-through.
Of course, while Kelly is often insightful and colorful while answering specific questions about specific players, he's not much for presenting a pecking order for positional competitions heading into spring practices. A pre-spring depth chart? Neh.
"Everything’s wide open," Kelly said. "It doesn't matter what position you play on our team. It’s always been that way -- since day one -- and it’ll always be that way. Our program is founded on competition, so we don’t go in saying who’s what at every position."
That includes the QB competition between Bryan Bennett and Marcus Mariota, which was brought front-and-center by the somewhat surprising early departure of Darron Thomas for the NFL draft.
Some quick notes:
When a telephone operator announced there were no more questions in the queue on Wednesday -- instead of the customary reiteration of "Hit 'star-1' to ask a question" -- Kelly hung up before completing the typical roster run-through.
Of course, while Kelly is often insightful and colorful while answering specific questions about specific players, he's not much for presenting a pecking order for positional competitions heading into spring practices. A pre-spring depth chart? Neh.
"Everything’s wide open," Kelly said. "It doesn't matter what position you play on our team. It’s always been that way -- since day one -- and it’ll always be that way. Our program is founded on competition, so we don’t go in saying who’s what at every position."
That includes the QB competition between Bryan Bennett and Marcus Mariota, which was brought front-and-center by the somewhat surprising early departure of Darron Thomas for the NFL draft.
Some quick notes:
- Kelly said the QB battle likely won't be decided until the week before the opener against Arkansas State on Sept. 1.
- Three true freshmen will participate this spring: DL Arik Armstead, TE Evan Baylis and QB Jake Rodrigues. All three could be in the mix for playing time, even -- conceivably -- Rodrigues. Of course, as Kelly said, "They've got to catch up."
- Kelly on Kenjon Barner taking over for LaMichael James after three years as an understudy: "I know Kenjon Barner is capable of being a 25 carry guy, if need be... I think Kenjon coming back for his senior year, he's going to be one of the top running backs in the country."
- Oregon's spring practices, for the first time, are completely closed. Said Kelly, "We analyze everything in this football program, look at the pluses and minuses. And if the pluses outweigh the minuses, that's the direction we go in." Kelly then added that only a handful of fans typically show up for open practices: "It's not like we've told thousands they can't come to practice."
- The first of 15 practices is Tuesday. The spring game on April 28 at 11 a.m. at Autzen Stadium will not only be open to everyone, it also will be broadcast on ESPN3.
We've given you our thoughts recently on which Pac-12 player has the best shot at winning the Heisman. You've given your thoughts (an extremely tight poll) and now the folks at HeismanPundit.com have offered up their darkhorse candidates for 2012.
They looked at 12 not-as-mainstream candidates who could contend for the Heisman Trophy, and four of them are from the Pac-12.
First, the list:
Their thoughts on each of the Pac-12 players:
Fun list. With frontrunner Matt Barkley out there, along with Washington quarterback Keith Price, a couple of USC wide receivers and A-list running backs like John White IV and Stepfan Taylor, there is certainly no wanting for offensive talent in the conference. Per usual.
Which players emerge will definitely be one of the more fascinating stories to follow in 2012.
They looked at 12 not-as-mainstream candidates who could contend for the Heisman Trophy, and four of them are from the Pac-12.
First, the list:
- Eddie Lacy, Alabama
- Curtis McNeal, USC
- Fitzgerald Toussaint, Michigan
- Kenjon Barner, Oregon
- James Franklin, Missouri
- Braxton Miller, Ohio State
- Kiehl Frazier, Auburn
- Le'Veon Bell, Michigan State
- Cierre Wood, Notre Dame
- Christine Michael, Texas A&M
- Jesse Callier, Washington
- De'Anthony Thomas, Oregon
Their thoughts on each of the Pac-12 players:
On McNeal: A total of 150 carries have departed the program and there is little depth behind the senior, who will benefit from defenses focusing on USC’s strong passing attack. Give McNeal at least half of those departed carries and you are looking at a possible 1,500 yard season, if not more.
On Barner: There were times the rest of the year when he looked as good as, if not better than, James. This year, the Ducks lose not only James’ 247 carries, but also the 45 of freshman Tra Carson and the 56 of quarterback Darron Thomas, for a total of 347 carries to be redistributed.
On Callier: I actually think there is a good chance that Washington experiences no dropoff at this position and that Callier establishes himself as one of the top backs in the Pac-12 with a season exceeding 1,300 yards on the ground.
On Thomas: Thomas is obviously an interesting case since he is such an all-around dynamo. Last year, he had just 140 touches, with 39 of them coming in the return game. This was a wise move by Oregon, as keeping the rather slight Thomas fresh and healthy is the key to his effectiveness. It worked, as he had 18 touchdowns and 2,235 total yards. In that vein, Oregon might be tempted to put a huge workload on him in 2012, but I don’t foresee it unless there is a desperate need.
Fun list. With frontrunner Matt Barkley out there, along with Washington quarterback Keith Price, a couple of USC wide receivers and A-list running backs like John White IV and Stepfan Taylor, there is certainly no wanting for offensive talent in the conference. Per usual.
Which players emerge will definitely be one of the more fascinating stories to follow in 2012.
Lunch links: Oregon's running back depth
March, 27, 2012
Mar 27
2:30
PM ET
By
Kevin Gemmell | ESPN.com
"Well, if this is it, old boy, I hope you don't mind if I go out speaking the King's."
"By all means, Captain."
"There's a special rung in hell reserved for people who waste good scotch. Seeing as how I may be rapping on the door momentarily... ... I must say, damn good stuff, Sir."
"By all means, Captain."
"There's a special rung in hell reserved for people who waste good scotch. Seeing as how I may be rapping on the door momentarily... ... I must say, damn good stuff, Sir."
- Rich Rodriguez cancels Arizona's practice to dig deeper into the scrimmage game film.
- House of Sparky lays out five storylines that aren't quarterback-centric.
- Updating some of the Cal spring storylines.
- Colorado's quarterback competition might have gotten a little more interesting if Jordan Webb officially joins the team.
- Kenjon Barner is finally the guy. But there might be depth issues behind him.
- A look at Oregon State's defensive line heading into spring.
- A couple of interesting notes from Jim Mora's informal lunch with local media -- the most interesting is that Richard Brehaut will take a break from baseball to compete in spring football. Mora expects a very physical spring.
- Tre Madden's move to offense creates a "numbers game"with quarterback Max Wittek.
- Some more Utah notes about the first week of spring ball.
- Washington picked up its first commit for the 2013 class.
- Travis Long's defensive talents will be put to good use in a new hybrid role with Washington State.
If you missed my Thursday chat, I apologize for the rash that ensued. Hope it doesn't ruin your weekend.
If you'd like to re-live it in its entirety, go here.
Here are some highlights.
David (Salt Lake City): Ted, with all of the new talent at quarterback, do you sense any indication that any of the incoming recruits have a shot at the starting position?
Ted Miller (3:01 PM): It's always a long shot for a true freshman to start at QB, particularly if he doesn't show up early for spring practices, as, for example, Matt Barkley did. I don't think any true freshmen will start at QB in the Pac-12 this year, and that includes Utah and Cal. I do think you will see at least one (maybe two) redshirt freshmen starting.
Ryan (Spokane): Do you expect the Cougs to start competing more, if not winning some of the in-state recruits (Locker, Kasen Williams) now that the Pirate is on the Palouse?
Ted Miller (3:04 PM): Even during Washington State's best years, it didn't typically beat Washington for the state's top recruits. But there's no reason it can't get, say, get three or four of the top ten if Washington gets five or six (others go out of state). Further, winning helps. If the Cougs start going to bowl games under [new coach Mike] Leach, better recruits will come in. But Leach won in the Big 12 without landing A-list recruits, which is a big reason he seems like a great fit in Pullman.
Warren (Lakewood): I believe Oregon state is going to make some noise this year in the pac12 north and that a sleeping giant has been reawakened in the pac12. [Coach Mike] Riley will rally these young guns and behind [Sean] Mannion and that wr corp they have I expect the Beavs to play in a bowl next year. What are your expectations for the Boys of Corvallis?
Ted Miller (3:15 PM): It's good to hear [I actually typed "here" during the chat, which is, well, really embarrassing] Beaver optimism. You guys have seemed kind of grumpy of late. I think the Beavers are good enough to get back to a bowl game in 2012, but it's also hard to project them too high until they answer questions on both lines.
Scott (Tempe): Ted, Heading to the topic of coaching changes in the desert. With Todd Graham displaying to us all his style of recruiting/coaching/discipline, how do you compare him to Rich Rodriguez? Rich Rod gets all the love, but who is the better coach in your eyes and will have the most impact?
Ted Miller (3:18 PM): Rich Rod has won a BCS bowl game and has a long track record of success. That's why he gets the love. But I do appreciate the notes Graham has been hitting: Demanding, discipline, up-tempo, etc. I think Rodriguez was a home run hire. But I also think better of the Graham hire based on what I've seen (and read) about what he's doing. But judgments on coach hires before they play a game is pretty superficial. It's just me -- and others -- yammering.
Nick Stratton (Dewitt, Michigan): How will Stanford's offense look this year without [Andrew] Luck? Who do you think will be the starter?
Ted Miller (3:23 PM): My only slightly educated guess is [Brett] Nottingham, mostly because I heard good things about him last year when he became the backup. I think Stanford will still be very good on offense, though it probably will take a step back without the best QB of a generation. I think the defense also will be good. So I still see the Cardinal as a top-25 team.
Dan (Eugene): Eddie Pleasant will be tougher for the Ducks to replace than Darron Thomas OR LaMichael James. True or false.
Ted Miller (3:30 PM): I would have said true until John Boyett talked up the guys who might step in to me, such as Brian Jackson and Avery Patterson. And I wonder if the transition at QB will be as easy as many fans think. Will Chip Kelly always hit a home run at QB? And as good as Kenjon [Barner] is, LaMike is one of the all-time best Pac-12 RBs.
David (San Francisco, CA): Ted, what do you expect out of Brett Hundley and the UCLA quarterback position this year?
Ted Miller (3:33 PM): I think Hundley will be given every opportunity to win the job, though I'm not sure it's a slam dunk that Kevin Prince won't. Last spring, Hundley wasn't ready, and that was clear. So he needs to be substantially better this spring. But he's a good prospect -- sharp, dual threat, seems to have leadership ability. And I think the work Noel Mazzone did with Brock Osweiler shows he knows how to teach a spread system to a young QB.
Bob (Seattle): Think the dawgs will be alright at LB this season?
Ted Miller (3:42 PM): I don't know... big question. Some guys coming back, but the position was not played well in 2011. You'd hope some of those youthful mistakes will correct themselves. But I saw too many Huskies LBs get stuck on blocks last year to not see it as a question.
Pirates of the Palouse (Pullman): [Jeff] Tuel or [Connor] Halliday?
Ted Miller (3:43 PM): Tuel... folks seem to forget how good he is when healthy. He's an NFL prospect and he has a lot of experience. Also, after being sacked so many times and showing outstanding toughness and resolve, I think he's earned an opportunity to see the postseason.
darrell (tacoma): Who has the weakest nonconference schedule, who has the toughest?
Ted Miller (3:52 PM): Easiest is Oregon (Ark State, Fresno State, Tennessee Tech).Hardest: Oregon State (BYU and Wisconsin with Nicholls State). Hardest game period is Washington at LSU. And USC, with Hawaii, Syracuse and Notre Dame, doesn't have an official patsy.
Daniel (Eugene): What do you think about Arik Armstead also playing basketball for the Ducks? Will dual responsibilities make him a better lineman or just confused, especially with Oregon now contending for March Madness positions?
Ted Miller (3:59 PM): I don't like guys playing hoops and football, though I certainly respect the athleticism it requires. If he asked me my advice, which he won't, I'd say choose a sport. But I'd also then say do what makes you happiest.
If you'd like to re-live it in its entirety, go here.
Here are some highlights.
David (Salt Lake City): Ted, with all of the new talent at quarterback, do you sense any indication that any of the incoming recruits have a shot at the starting position?
Ted Miller (3:01 PM): It's always a long shot for a true freshman to start at QB, particularly if he doesn't show up early for spring practices, as, for example, Matt Barkley did. I don't think any true freshmen will start at QB in the Pac-12 this year, and that includes Utah and Cal. I do think you will see at least one (maybe two) redshirt freshmen starting.
Ryan (Spokane): Do you expect the Cougs to start competing more, if not winning some of the in-state recruits (Locker, Kasen Williams) now that the Pirate is on the Palouse?
Ted Miller (3:04 PM): Even during Washington State's best years, it didn't typically beat Washington for the state's top recruits. But there's no reason it can't get, say, get three or four of the top ten if Washington gets five or six (others go out of state). Further, winning helps. If the Cougs start going to bowl games under [new coach Mike] Leach, better recruits will come in. But Leach won in the Big 12 without landing A-list recruits, which is a big reason he seems like a great fit in Pullman.
Warren (Lakewood): I believe Oregon state is going to make some noise this year in the pac12 north and that a sleeping giant has been reawakened in the pac12. [Coach Mike] Riley will rally these young guns and behind [Sean] Mannion and that wr corp they have I expect the Beavs to play in a bowl next year. What are your expectations for the Boys of Corvallis?
Ted Miller (3:15 PM): It's good to hear [I actually typed "here" during the chat, which is, well, really embarrassing] Beaver optimism. You guys have seemed kind of grumpy of late. I think the Beavers are good enough to get back to a bowl game in 2012, but it's also hard to project them too high until they answer questions on both lines.
Scott (Tempe): Ted, Heading to the topic of coaching changes in the desert. With Todd Graham displaying to us all his style of recruiting/coaching/discipline, how do you compare him to Rich Rodriguez? Rich Rod gets all the love, but who is the better coach in your eyes and will have the most impact?
Ted Miller (3:18 PM): Rich Rod has won a BCS bowl game and has a long track record of success. That's why he gets the love. But I do appreciate the notes Graham has been hitting: Demanding, discipline, up-tempo, etc. I think Rodriguez was a home run hire. But I also think better of the Graham hire based on what I've seen (and read) about what he's doing. But judgments on coach hires before they play a game is pretty superficial. It's just me -- and others -- yammering.
Nick Stratton (Dewitt, Michigan): How will Stanford's offense look this year without [Andrew] Luck? Who do you think will be the starter?
Ted Miller (3:23 PM): My only slightly educated guess is [Brett] Nottingham, mostly because I heard good things about him last year when he became the backup. I think Stanford will still be very good on offense, though it probably will take a step back without the best QB of a generation. I think the defense also will be good. So I still see the Cardinal as a top-25 team.
Dan (Eugene): Eddie Pleasant will be tougher for the Ducks to replace than Darron Thomas OR LaMichael James. True or false.
Ted Miller (3:30 PM): I would have said true until John Boyett talked up the guys who might step in to me, such as Brian Jackson and Avery Patterson. And I wonder if the transition at QB will be as easy as many fans think. Will Chip Kelly always hit a home run at QB? And as good as Kenjon [Barner] is, LaMike is one of the all-time best Pac-12 RBs.
David (San Francisco, CA): Ted, what do you expect out of Brett Hundley and the UCLA quarterback position this year?
Ted Miller (3:33 PM): I think Hundley will be given every opportunity to win the job, though I'm not sure it's a slam dunk that Kevin Prince won't. Last spring, Hundley wasn't ready, and that was clear. So he needs to be substantially better this spring. But he's a good prospect -- sharp, dual threat, seems to have leadership ability. And I think the work Noel Mazzone did with Brock Osweiler shows he knows how to teach a spread system to a young QB.
Bob (Seattle): Think the dawgs will be alright at LB this season?
Ted Miller (3:42 PM): I don't know... big question. Some guys coming back, but the position was not played well in 2011. You'd hope some of those youthful mistakes will correct themselves. But I saw too many Huskies LBs get stuck on blocks last year to not see it as a question.
Pirates of the Palouse (Pullman): [Jeff] Tuel or [Connor] Halliday?
Ted Miller (3:43 PM): Tuel... folks seem to forget how good he is when healthy. He's an NFL prospect and he has a lot of experience. Also, after being sacked so many times and showing outstanding toughness and resolve, I think he's earned an opportunity to see the postseason.
darrell (tacoma): Who has the weakest nonconference schedule, who has the toughest?
Ted Miller (3:52 PM): Easiest is Oregon (Ark State, Fresno State, Tennessee Tech).Hardest: Oregon State (BYU and Wisconsin with Nicholls State). Hardest game period is Washington at LSU. And USC, with Hawaii, Syracuse and Notre Dame, doesn't have an official patsy.
Daniel (Eugene): What do you think about Arik Armstead also playing basketball for the Ducks? Will dual responsibilities make him a better lineman or just confused, especially with Oregon now contending for March Madness positions?
Ted Miller (3:59 PM): I don't like guys playing hoops and football, though I certainly respect the athleticism it requires. If he asked me my advice, which he won't, I'd say choose a sport. But I'd also then say do what makes you happiest.
Pac-12 mailbag: Oregon, Washington issues
March, 16, 2012
Mar 16
6:52
PM ET
By
Ted Miller | ESPN.com
Happy Friday.
Follow me on Twitter.
This mailbag is being done at Bunk Sandwiches in Portland. I am about to eat a pork belly cubano. You should hate me for this.
To the notes:
Jeff from Salem, Ore., writes: With yet another transfer how big of an issue is RB depth at Oregon? And is Josh huff next to leave?
Ted Miller: You refer to the expected transfer of Tra Carson, who rushed for 254 yards as a true freshman and was expected to be the Ducks No. 3 RB -- and power option -- behind Kenjon Barner and De'Anthony Thomas. When you toss in the other recent transfers of Dontae Williams and Lache Seastrunk, an abundance of riches at the position is no longer so abundant.
Things are tight but hardly desperate. Barner replaces LaMichael James as the starter and Thomas takes on a hybrid role as a RB/WR. With no Carson, the need now is to find a No. 3. While that likely will include plenty of in-game touches, fretting the No. 3 RB is digging fairly deep in the worry bag. The most likely No. 3 now is incoming freshman Byron Marshall, younger brother of Arizona State's Cameron Marshall -- ergo, good bloodlines.
If everyone stays healthy, that sounds like a solid threesome. But if Barner or Thomas were to get hurt, things would be iffy.
What about receiver Josh Huff? My feeling is Huff will be with the Ducks next year after he resolves his off-field issues, though my guess is he'll get a great big frowny face from coach Chip Kelly. As he should. I also suspect he stays at receiver, though his talents do translate well to running the football. Remember: Kelly isn't the sort to feel bound by traditional position names. But Huff rushed for 214 yards in 2010 -- 17.8 yards per pop -- and zero in 2011. That suggests he's a receiver, particularly with his being the most experienced returning receiver on the team.
And don't be surprised if sometime this spring or in the fall that you read about a position change. Kelly is obsessed with recruiting speed, so he could always switch a defensive back or receiver to running back. You know, like he did with Barner.
Rabid Husky from Everett, Wash., writes: You know how proud [Washington fans] are of our history of stout, intimidating defenses.The Alamo was disappointing on so many levels defensively.Husky fans like my self are excited but nervous about the guys we've hired on that side of the ball. My question to you is two fold:-Do you think Wilcox and co can get this unit to the middle of the pack in the conference? While i know we lacked talent at spots, i refuse to believe this was a unit-wide dilemma. We do have some talent on the defense that is young and needs coaching up and i think Wilcox's freshman friendly system and his flexibility will show that. Do you agree?-With a mediocre defense we won 7 games. Improved defense and offensive line play will be the key to being competitive with the elite teams like USC and LSU. How much improvement do you see from the defense? If the defense is average (middle of the pack), how do you see our season turning out?
Ted Miller: One of the bigger surprises to me was how bad the Washington defense was in 2011. I wrote a lot in the preseason about how I expected it to improve, so it's general turrible-ness bothered me because it allowed people to remind me how wrong I was. Some of you seem to enjoy that.
The talent coming back in 2012 is OK. I'd rate the talent middle-of-the-road in the conference already.
But I believe that new coordinator Justin Wilcox is a game-changer, a guy who has instincts about both understanding the nuanced talents of his players as well as the Xs and Os side of things.
The question is how quickly Wilcox and his players get in sync. His defense at Tennessee made a big jump in year two after surging late in 2010.
If the Huskies defense improves 20 percent in scoring, it will give up 26.7 points per game, which would have rated sixth in the conference in 2011.
That's my prediction. And if it comes true, the Huskies will win eight games.
Jeff from Salt Lake City writes: Considering we still do not know Oregon's fate, this may be a waste of breath. But in the event that they do receive a bowl ban in 2012 and USC runs the table on the way to the BCS NCG, we may be looking at the most hotly contended 3rd place battle in Pac-12 history. Stanford and Utah both appear to have an outside shot as Rose Bowl replacements, but I want to know your take. Do you believe that there's a team behind USC and Oregon in 2012 that could win 10 games and finish within the Top-15 of the final rankings to receive that hypothetical Rose Bowl bid? And if you do, who do you think stands the best chance to do so?
Ted Miller: I doubt Oregon will be banned from the 2012 postseason. At this point, I also doubt that, if USC and Oregon are the top two teams in the Pac-12, that there will be a third team ranked in the top 14 of the final BCS standings as required to be an at-large selection for a BCS bowl game, though I would rate Utah and Stanford as the most likely possibilities.
The question is this: Is there a team, other than Oregon or USC, that is capable of finishing 10-2? Last year, only two three-loss teams -- Baylor and Oklahoma -- were in the final top 14 of the BCS standings with three defeats. Of course, there are plenty of variables here because every season is different.
There also might be a question of whether the Rose Bowl would stick to its traditional matchup in the event that, say, Stanford was 9-3 and ranked 14th. With all the playoff talk of late, which could threaten the Rose Bowl's previously thought unbreakable connection to the Pac-12 and Big Ten, would the Rose Bowl pass up, say, No. 6 Texas in favor of a three-loss team that finished third in the Pac-12 pecking order? Recall the joke of a matchup when the Rose Bowl put No. 13, three-loss Illinois in the Rose Bowl opposite USC after the 2007 season. As the college football landscape changes, would the Rose Bowl want to relive that, instead of going with a potential top-10 matchup that would produce higher ratings?
As for looking at Stanford and Utah, the Cardinal has a tougher schedule. It plays Oregon, USC and Notre Dame, as well as in the tougher North Division. Utah misses Stanford and Oregon and plays host to USC and BYU. It wouldn't surprise me if one or the other ended up 9-3. But I don't see the dominoes falling in a way that either ends up in the Rose Bowl as an at-large selection.
Nick from Los Angeles writes: Can you do me a favor and write an article about how good Oregon will be on defense next year. Please highlight Dion Jordan, John Boyett, Michael Clay, Kiko Alonso, Boseko Lokombo. Please use the word "scary." And can you get it on the front page of the ESPN college football page, with a picture. Thanks a million.Nick
Ted Miller: Nick is being witty, but after chatting with John Boyett this past week, I'm starting to buy-in. He was able to selling me pretty well that some of the concerns -- replacing DE Terrell Turner and rover Eddie Pleasant -- won't be that big of a deal.
The Ducks' defense was solid last year, ranking fifth in the conference in scoring and total defense. And, as Ducks fans often note, the defense's yards per play of 5.07 was second in the conference behind Utah.
I'd rate it a high degree of certainty the defense doesn't take a step back. A significant step forward would mean it ranking in the top fourth of the Pac-12 and top 25 in the nation.
Follow me on Twitter.
This mailbag is being done at Bunk Sandwiches in Portland. I am about to eat a pork belly cubano. You should hate me for this.
To the notes:
Jeff from Salem, Ore., writes: With yet another transfer how big of an issue is RB depth at Oregon? And is Josh huff next to leave?
Ted Miller: You refer to the expected transfer of Tra Carson, who rushed for 254 yards as a true freshman and was expected to be the Ducks No. 3 RB -- and power option -- behind Kenjon Barner and De'Anthony Thomas. When you toss in the other recent transfers of Dontae Williams and Lache Seastrunk, an abundance of riches at the position is no longer so abundant.
Things are tight but hardly desperate. Barner replaces LaMichael James as the starter and Thomas takes on a hybrid role as a RB/WR. With no Carson, the need now is to find a No. 3. While that likely will include plenty of in-game touches, fretting the No. 3 RB is digging fairly deep in the worry bag. The most likely No. 3 now is incoming freshman Byron Marshall, younger brother of Arizona State's Cameron Marshall -- ergo, good bloodlines.
If everyone stays healthy, that sounds like a solid threesome. But if Barner or Thomas were to get hurt, things would be iffy.
What about receiver Josh Huff? My feeling is Huff will be with the Ducks next year after he resolves his off-field issues, though my guess is he'll get a great big frowny face from coach Chip Kelly. As he should. I also suspect he stays at receiver, though his talents do translate well to running the football. Remember: Kelly isn't the sort to feel bound by traditional position names. But Huff rushed for 214 yards in 2010 -- 17.8 yards per pop -- and zero in 2011. That suggests he's a receiver, particularly with his being the most experienced returning receiver on the team.
And don't be surprised if sometime this spring or in the fall that you read about a position change. Kelly is obsessed with recruiting speed, so he could always switch a defensive back or receiver to running back. You know, like he did with Barner.
Rabid Husky from Everett, Wash., writes: You know how proud [Washington fans] are of our history of stout, intimidating defenses.The Alamo was disappointing on so many levels defensively.Husky fans like my self are excited but nervous about the guys we've hired on that side of the ball. My question to you is two fold:-Do you think Wilcox and co can get this unit to the middle of the pack in the conference? While i know we lacked talent at spots, i refuse to believe this was a unit-wide dilemma. We do have some talent on the defense that is young and needs coaching up and i think Wilcox's freshman friendly system and his flexibility will show that. Do you agree?-With a mediocre defense we won 7 games. Improved defense and offensive line play will be the key to being competitive with the elite teams like USC and LSU. How much improvement do you see from the defense? If the defense is average (middle of the pack), how do you see our season turning out?
Ted Miller: One of the bigger surprises to me was how bad the Washington defense was in 2011. I wrote a lot in the preseason about how I expected it to improve, so it's general turrible-ness bothered me because it allowed people to remind me how wrong I was. Some of you seem to enjoy that.
The talent coming back in 2012 is OK. I'd rate the talent middle-of-the-road in the conference already.
But I believe that new coordinator Justin Wilcox is a game-changer, a guy who has instincts about both understanding the nuanced talents of his players as well as the Xs and Os side of things.
The question is how quickly Wilcox and his players get in sync. His defense at Tennessee made a big jump in year two after surging late in 2010.
If the Huskies defense improves 20 percent in scoring, it will give up 26.7 points per game, which would have rated sixth in the conference in 2011.
That's my prediction. And if it comes true, the Huskies will win eight games.
Jeff from Salt Lake City writes: Considering we still do not know Oregon's fate, this may be a waste of breath. But in the event that they do receive a bowl ban in 2012 and USC runs the table on the way to the BCS NCG, we may be looking at the most hotly contended 3rd place battle in Pac-12 history. Stanford and Utah both appear to have an outside shot as Rose Bowl replacements, but I want to know your take. Do you believe that there's a team behind USC and Oregon in 2012 that could win 10 games and finish within the Top-15 of the final rankings to receive that hypothetical Rose Bowl bid? And if you do, who do you think stands the best chance to do so?
Ted Miller: I doubt Oregon will be banned from the 2012 postseason. At this point, I also doubt that, if USC and Oregon are the top two teams in the Pac-12, that there will be a third team ranked in the top 14 of the final BCS standings as required to be an at-large selection for a BCS bowl game, though I would rate Utah and Stanford as the most likely possibilities.
The question is this: Is there a team, other than Oregon or USC, that is capable of finishing 10-2? Last year, only two three-loss teams -- Baylor and Oklahoma -- were in the final top 14 of the BCS standings with three defeats. Of course, there are plenty of variables here because every season is different.
There also might be a question of whether the Rose Bowl would stick to its traditional matchup in the event that, say, Stanford was 9-3 and ranked 14th. With all the playoff talk of late, which could threaten the Rose Bowl's previously thought unbreakable connection to the Pac-12 and Big Ten, would the Rose Bowl pass up, say, No. 6 Texas in favor of a three-loss team that finished third in the Pac-12 pecking order? Recall the joke of a matchup when the Rose Bowl put No. 13, three-loss Illinois in the Rose Bowl opposite USC after the 2007 season. As the college football landscape changes, would the Rose Bowl want to relive that, instead of going with a potential top-10 matchup that would produce higher ratings?
As for looking at Stanford and Utah, the Cardinal has a tougher schedule. It plays Oregon, USC and Notre Dame, as well as in the tougher North Division. Utah misses Stanford and Oregon and plays host to USC and BYU. It wouldn't surprise me if one or the other ended up 9-3. But I don't see the dominoes falling in a way that either ends up in the Rose Bowl as an at-large selection.
Nick from Los Angeles writes: Can you do me a favor and write an article about how good Oregon will be on defense next year. Please highlight Dion Jordan, John Boyett, Michael Clay, Kiko Alonso, Boseko Lokombo. Please use the word "scary." And can you get it on the front page of the ESPN college football page, with a picture. Thanks a million.Nick
Ted Miller: Nick is being witty, but after chatting with John Boyett this past week, I'm starting to buy-in. He was able to selling me pretty well that some of the concerns -- replacing DE Terrell Turner and rover Eddie Pleasant -- won't be that big of a deal.
The Ducks' defense was solid last year, ranking fifth in the conference in scoring and total defense. And, as Ducks fans often note, the defense's yards per play of 5.07 was second in the conference behind Utah.
I'd rate it a high degree of certainty the defense doesn't take a step back. A significant step forward would mean it ranking in the top fourth of the Pac-12 and top 25 in the nation.
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Ted Miller
Miller has been covering college football since 1997, starting with Auburn and then heading West to Washington and the Pac-12. His columns for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer won first place in the 2007 APSE Best Writing contest. The Atlanta native and University of Richmond graduate presently lives with his wife in Scottsdale, Ariz.
Kevin Gemmell
Gemmell covered San Diego State and the Mountain West Conference for three years before joining ESPN.com. As a Santa Clara graduate, his hope is that the Broncos will one day re-institute football. Until then, he lives vicariously through his readers. Gemmell lives in California with his wife and son.
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