ESPN College Football

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Sporting News has released its list of the top 25 players in college football -- and the Pac-12 is well-represented.

The SEC boasts nine of the top 25, with the Pac-12 right behind with seven of the 25.

Their methodology is based on college performance and pro potential -- not just potential draft stock.

Here are the Pac-12 players along with their rankings.

No. 2: Marqise Lee, WR, USC

No. 6: Will Sutton, DT, Arizona State

No. 8: Anthony Barr, LB, UCLA

No. 14: Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon

No. 20: Ka'Deem Carey, RB, Arizona

No. 22: De'Anthony Thomas, RB, Oregon

No. 23: Brett Hundley, QB, UCLA

Thoughts

Later this summer the Pac-12 blog will release its annual preseason Top 25 of the players in the conference. It's safe to assume all seven of these players will be on that list. But there are a few absent from their list that -- I would hope -- received a lot of consideration. Among them, Washington tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins (there are no tight ends on their list, but he's tops at his position), Stanford guard David Yankey (no guards on their list, but he's tops at his position) and Oregon cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu.

Top 25 lists are hard to make -- and everyone has their own units of measurement. There never will be a perfect list -- except for the one in our minds. With that said, the Sporting News list has two cornerbacks listed -- and neither of them are Ekpre-Olomu. Watch Rod Gilmore's take and you'll see he rates the Oregon cornerback above No. 19 Florida's Loucheiz Purifoy (who doesn't even make Gilmore's top five list of cornerbacks) and No. 25 Ohio State's Bradley Roby -- who Gilmore ranks second among the cornerbacks.

I can buy not including ASJ and Yankey -- since they didn't include either position on the list. And yes, left tackle is obviously the premier position on the offensive line. But they missed on Ekpre-Olomu. And as many have pointed out, he splits the field with Terrance Mitchell -- which was part of the reason Ekpre-Olomu had such huge numbers last season. If you missed this in April, here's Ekpre-Olomu's take on the Oregon secondary.

As for the actual rankings -- more minor gripes about the Oregon players. Don't see how you don't have Mariota in the top 10 and Thomas in at least the top 15. I even think Lee might be a little too high. As they state in their methodology, it isn't just about the pro potential. If it were, then I think Lee could be No. 1. But until we know how the USC offense is going to play out with a new quarterback, I think No. 2 is a tad generous. But he clearly belongs in the top five. Barr and Sutton could be flip-flopped -- based on personal preference -- and I don't have an issue either way. Carey feels about right -- though I think Hundley probably deserves to be in the top 20.

All right now, for all you boppers out there in the big city, all you street people with an ear for the action, I've been asked to relay a request from the Grammercy Riffs. It's a special for the Warriors, that real live bunch from Coney, and I do mean the Warriors. Here's a hit with them in mind.

• Arizona's facility upgrades are almost complete.
• How many picks from Alden Darby in 2013?
• The Bears picked up a running back commit from Texas.
• The Buffs received a quarterback commit.
• A breakdown of Oregon commit Morgan Mahalak.
• Jordan Poyer (and Zach Ertz) are playing catch-up with the Eagles after attending graduation.
• Part 3 of a series looking at the rise of Stanford football.
• Via Twitter, UCLA stakes its claim as Linebacker "U." (Thinking there's a bit of double entendre there).
• An early look at USC's game against Hawaii.
• The Utes, still adjusting to life in the Pac-12, are restructuring their athletic department.
• Three keys to success for the Huskies (and all the other teams in the North).
• Athlon picks Washington State as one of 10 teams likely to improve in 2013 (along with Colorado and USC).

On Monday we looked at what each team in the Pac-12 had returning in terms of the rushing game. Here's the breakdown for the South and the North.

Today we turn our attention to the wide receivers. We're looking at returning receiving yards, returning receptions and returning receiving touchdowns. First up is the South.

As a reminder, here's how the teams ranked last year in passing offense:

1. Washington State
2. Oregon State
3. Arizona
4. USC
5. UCLA
6. Arizona State
7. Oregon
8. Washington
9. California
10. Stanford
11. Colorado
12. Utah

Here's what the teams in the Pac-12 South have coming back.

Arizona

• Receiving yards in 2012: 3,879
• Receptions in 2012: 326
• Receiving touchdowns in 2012: 30
• Returning yards: 2,984
• Returning receptions: 252
• Returning touchdowns: 23
• Percentage of yards returning: 76 percent
• Percentage of catches returning: 77 percent
• Percentage of touchdowns returning: 76 percent
• Biggest statistical returner: Austin Hill, 1,364 yards, 81 catches, 11 touchdowns
• Biggest statistical loss: Dan Buckner, 773 yards, 61 catches, five touchdowns

Note: Was torn on whether or not to include Austin Hill. Technically, he's not off the team and he's a returning player. But it's also unlikely he'll play in 2012. So above are his the numbers -- since he's still on the team. Without him, the numbers obviously dip significantly: 41 percent yards returning; 52 percent catches returning; 40 percent touchdowns returning.

Arizona State

• Receiving yards in 2012: 3,369
• Receptions in 2012: 275
• Receiving touchdowns in 2012: 33
• Returning yards: 2,271
• Returning receptions: 186
• Returning touchdowns: 26
• Percentage of yards returning: 67 percent
• Percentage of catches returning: 67 percent
• Percentage of touchdowns returning: 78 percent
• Biggest statistical returner: Chris Coyle, 696 yards, 57 catches, five touchdowns
• Biggest statistical loss: Rashad Ross, 610 yards, 41 catches, six touchdowns

Colorado

• Receiving yards in 2012: 2,310
• Receptions in 2012: 222
• Receiving touchdowns in 2012: 11
• Returning yards: 1,730
• Returning receptions: 180
• Returning touchdowns: 7
• Percentage of yards returning: 74 percent
• Percentage of catches returning: 81 percent
• Percentage of touchdowns returning: 63 percent
• Biggest statistical returner: Nelson Spruce, 446 yards, 44 catches, three touchdowns
• Biggest statistical loss: Nick Kasa, 391 yards, 25 catches, three touchdowns

UCLA

• Receiving yards in 2012: 3,860
• Receptions in 2012: 324
• Receiving touchdowns in 2012: 29
• Returning yards: 2,395
• Returning receptions: 203
• Returning touchdowns: 13
• Percentage of yards returning: 62 percent
• Percentage of catches returning: 62 percent
• Percentage of touchdowns returning: 44 percent
• Biggest statistical returner: Shaq Evans, 877 yards, 60 catches, three touchdowns
• Biggest statistical loss: Joseph Fauria, 637 yards, 46 catches, 12 touchdowns

USC

• Receiving yards in 2012: 3,670
• Receptions in 2012: 284
• Receiving touchdowns in 2012: 39
• Returning yards: 2,713
• Returning receptions: 201
• Returning touchdowns: 27
• Percentage of yards returning: 73 percent
• Percentage of catches returning: 70 percent
• Percentage of touchdowns returning: 69 percent
• Biggest statistical returner: Marqise Lee, 1,721 yards, 118 catches, 14 touchdowns
• Biggest statistical loss: Robert Woods, 846 yards, 76 catches, 11 touchdowns

Note: Like Austin Hill, I included George Farmer's numbers. Though he's expected to miss the year, he's still technically a "returning" player. Though his numbers, one catch for 7 yards, don't alter the landscape like they do with Hill.

Utah

• Receiving yards in 2012: 2,288
• Receptions in 2012: 220
• Receiving touchdowns in 2012: 16
• Returning yards: 1,421
• Returning receptions: 134
• Returning touchdowns: 12
• Percentage of yards returning: 62 percent
• Percentage of catches returning: 60 percent
• Percentage of touchdowns returning: 75 percent
• Biggest statistical returner: Dres Anderson, 365 yards, 36 catches, three touchdowns
• Biggest statistical loss: DeVonte Christopher, 301 yards, 22 catches, two touchdowns

For all the gamers out there eagerly awaiting the release of EA's NCAA Football 14, there's good news.

The team ratings are out!

For those in the gaming world, I'm assuming this is huge news. I haven't gamed in a while -- I'm assuming it's still pretty much like Tecmo Bowl, right? Who didn't love playing as Bo Jackson.

Fortunately, Evan Webeck of the Husky Haul seems like he knows what he's talking about, and he was gracious enough to post the team ratings for the whole conference. The ratings are broken up into: Overall, offense and defense.

Here's how the Pac-12 stacks up (and since it's a Washington site, you can see which Washington players are rated).

1. Oregon: 95 (overall), 99 (offense), 92 (defense)
2. USC: 91, 95, 90
3. Stanford: 91, 91, 93
4. Washington: 91, 91, 90
5. UCLA: 88, 88, 87
6. Arizona: 86, 86, 88
7. Utah: 86, 84, 87
8. Arizona State: 84, 86, 83
9. Oregon State: 84, 86, 83
10. Cal: 84, 86, 83
11. Washington State: 81, 83, 80
12. Colorado: 79, 81, 78

Webeck also tosses in what his own ratings would look like (I'm guessing Arizona State and Oregon State fans prefer his rankings to the game's) and he also makes a declaration about avenging the Apple Cup "a couple dozen times." Andrew Furney's ears just perked up.

Unfortunately, as a famous philosopher never said, history isn't written by those with the controller.

Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go take out Mike Tyson (007-373-5963) before I hit up some Contra (up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right B, A, start).

Dinner Out is a go.

• Arizona's "Hard Edge" video has gone viral.
• ASU coaches weigh in on what makes a good recruiter.
• Cal is scrambling to pay off stadium debts.
• Should Colorado look in state for the model of a good AD?
• There weren't many, but here are a few of the gut-wrenching moments of the Chip Kelly era.
• Athlon's take on Oregon State.
• A case for Stanford to win the BCS championship.
• The Big Ten Network is pumped for UCLA vs. Nebraska in Week 3.
• Matt Barkley gets sassy with his tweets.
• Some audio on Utah recruiting.
• Washington-Boise State is a big game to watch in Week 1.
• Washington State and Rutgers are close to finalizing a home-and-home series.

Last week, Ted gave you the rundown of which Pac-12 players will be attending media day on July 26. Now the on-stage lineup has been set.

We'll be there to bring you each team's summary "On stage..." post like we did last year, as well as "Seen and Heard" posts, a multi-story notebook and plenty of videos.

We can't make any promises that the entire Google-web won't collapse and Utah's "On Stage" post won't disappear like it did last year (Ted still feels really bad about that one), but he told me he's going to slip the IT guy at Sony Studios a $20 just in case. (Anyone needing a refresher on that story can check out the final question from this mailbag last year.)

Here's the lineup so you can start planning ahead.

9 a.m. Larry Scott, Pac-12 Commissioner

9:15 a.m. Washington State - Coach Mike Leach, Elliott Bosch (OL), Deone Bucannon (DB)

9:30 a.m. California - Coach Sonny Dykes, Bryce Treggs (WR), Nick Forbes (LB)

9:45 a.m. Washington - Coach Steve Sarkisian, Keith Price (QB), Sean Parker (DB)

10:00 a.m. Oregon State - Coach Mike Riley, Brandin Cooks (WR), Rashaad Reynolds (DB)

10:15 a.m. Oregon - Coach Mark Helfrich, Marcus Mariota (QB), Ifo Ekpre-Olomu (CB)

10:30 a.m. Stanford - Coach David Shaw, David Yankey (OL), Shayne Skov (LB)

10:45 a.m. Break

11:00 a.m. Colorado - Coach Mike MacIntyre, Paul Richardson (WR), Chidera Uzo-Diribe (DE)

11:15 a.m. Utah - Coach Kyle Whittingham, Jake Murphy (TE), Trevor Reilly (DE)

11:30 a.m. Arizona - Coach Rich Rodriguez, Terrence Miller (WR), Jake Fischer (LB)

11:45 a.m. USC - Coach Lane Kiffin, Marqise Lee (WR), Hayes Pullard (LB)

12:00 p.m. Arizona State - Coach Todd Graham, Taylor Kelly (QB), Alden Darby (S)

12:15 p.m. UCLA - Coach Jim Mora, Xavier Su’a Filo (OL), Anthony Barr (LB)

It's getting to be that time when we can officially start transitioning from the offseason to the preseason.

And with the preseason comes preseason teams. Or in the case of Athlon Sports, the projection of the 2013 all-league team. You can be sure Ted and I will put our colossal melons together at some point and put out a preseason team. But we like to keep you waiting.

In the meantime, Athlon released all three levels of its 2013 All-Pac-12 projected team. A couple of minor disagreements here and there -- but mostly a strong list with the usual suspects you'd expect to earn preseason honors.

They also break down how many players from each team made each squad -- which is always fun. Oregon leads the way with 13 players, followed by Stanford (10) and Oregon State and USC (9). The Ducks have the most first-teamers (6) followed by USC (5).

FIRST-TEAM OFFENSE

QB Marcus Mariota
RB Ka’Deem Carey, Arizona
RB Bishop Sankey, Washington
WR Brandin Cooks, Oregon State
WR Marqise Lee, USC
TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Washington
C Hroniss Grasu, Oregon
OG Xavier Su’a-Filo, UCLA
OG David Yankey, Stanford
OT Jake Fisher, Oregon
OT Tyler Johnstone, Oregon
AP De’Anthony Thomas, Oregon

FIRST-TEAM DEFENSE

DE Scott Crichton, Oregon State
DE Morgan Breslin, USC
DT Will Sutton, Arizona State
DT Leonard Williams, USC
LB Anthony Barr, UCLA
LB Trent Murphy, Stanford
LB Shayne Skov, Stanford
CB Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, Oregon
CB Rashaad Reynolds, Oregon State
S Dion Bailey, USC
S Ed Reynolds, Stanford

FIRST-TEAM SPECIALISTS

K Trevor Romaine, Oregon State
P Darragh O’Neill, Colorado
KR Marqise Lee, USC
PR Shaquelle Evans, UCLA

SECOND-TEAM OFFENSE

QB Brett Hundley, UCLA
RB Marion Grice, Arizona State
RB Silas Redd, USC
WR Shaquelle Evans, UCLA
WR Kasen Williams, Washington
TE Chris Coyle, Arizona State
C Isaac Seumalo, Oregon State
OG Kevin Danser, Stanford
OG Max Tuerk, USC
OT Cameron Fleming, Stanford
OT Michael Philipp, Oregon State

SECOND-TEAM DEFENSE

DE Ben Gardner, Stanford
DE Taylor Hart, Oregon
DT Deandre Coleman, California
DT George Uko, USC
LB Eric Kendricks, UCLA
LB Hayes Pullard, USC
LB Shaq Thompson, Washington
CB Alex Carter, Stanford
CB Terrance Mitchell, Oregon
S Deone Bucannon, Washington State
S Alden Darby, Arizona State

SECOND-TEAM SPECIALISTS

K Vince D’Amato, California
P Keith Kostol, Oregon State
KR De’Anthony Thomas, Oregon
PR Richard Morrison, Arizona

THIRD-TEAM OFFENSE

QB Taylor Kelly, Arizona State
RB Brendan Bigelow, California
RB Storm Woods, Oregon State
WR Josh Huff, Oregon
WR Paul Richardson, Colorado
TE Colt Lyerla, Oregon
C Jake Brendel, UCLA
OG Daniel Munyer, Colorado
OG Grant Enger, Oregon State
OT Evan Finkenberg, Arizona State
OT Jeremiah Poutasi, Utah

THIRD-TEAM DEFENSE

DE Henry Anderson, Stanford
DE Cassius Marsh, UCLA
DT Wade Keliikipi, Oregon
DT Danny Shelton, Washington
LB Brian Blechen, Utah
LB Carl Bradford, Arizona State
LB Jake Fischer, Arizona
CB Osahon Irabor, Arizona State
CB Jonathan McKnight, Arizona
S Sean Parker, Washington
S Jordan Richards, Stanford

THIRD-TEAM SPECIALISTS

K Andrew Furney, Washington State
P Michael Bowlin, Washington State
KR Teondray Caldwell, Washington State
PR Bralon Addison, Oregon

The debate rages. Who is No. 2?

We know who the real No. 2 is, but we're just looking at college football (and yes, I realize that is the second Austin Powers reference of the day).

If you believe Phil Steele, then it's the Big 12. If you believe the majority of the folks who leave their comments below, it's the Pac-12.

Any argument that doesn't have the SEC No. 1 simply isn't valid. For all the ribbing and schadenfreude that occurs on this blog in regards to the SEC, it is still the elite conference in college football until proven otherwise.

Steele has the Pac-12 at No. 3 behind the SEC and Big 12 in his preseason conference rankings. Do you concur?

Here are his thoughts on the league:

"The Pac-12 was the only conference last year to have two teams win a BCS bowl in Stanford and Oregon, and both programs have made a BCS bowl in each of the past three years. The Ducks and Cardinals figure to be in the preseason AP top 10, and I have both in my top 15 this year. The surprise in this league could be USC, which I have rated at No. 6, giving the conference three legitimate national title contenders. Arizona State, Oregon State, Washington and UCLA all made my top 40. The only thing holding the Pac-12 down in my rankings is its nonconference record, which was only 17-11 last year (61 percent) after removing wins over Football Championship Subdivision teams."

When you think of the Pac-12 vs. the Big 12, do you think of UCLA getting pushed around by Baylor? Oregon State coughing it up against Texas? Or Oregon running crazy around Kansas State? That's probably a measuring stick for how you will vote.

Of course, that was last year. And as a reminder, here's the final conference power rankings from last season.

As Ted noted earlier this month, the upgraded Alamo Bowl will certainly provide a little more kindling to the argument in years to come.

Most agree the Pac-12 is more top heavy -- as evidenced by both Stanford and Oregon winning their BCS bowl games and the fact that both will start the year highly ranked. And looking ahead to 2013, Washington, Arizona State, UCLA and Oregon State should get some preseason love as well. And, as Steele notes, it's never a good idea to sleep on USC. If Washington beats Boise State -- they'll for sure be ranked and if ASU can make some noise in the early part of the season against some difficult foes, they too will be ranked favorably.

So, if we're able to put the 2012 season in the rear view mirror and look solely at 2013, which is the No. 2 conference behind the SEC? We'll include the Big Ten, which some are predicting to enjoy a resurgence this year, and the ACC since Steele has them tied with the Big Ten. (And yes, a vote for the Pac-12 counts as a vote for Oregon).

Ted spent much of the past two weeks looking at individuals from the league who are coming back. But what about from a team standpoint? As is always the case, we have to say goodbye to some folks who have graduated, departed early, transferred or simply chose to follow another path in life. What's left in the pantry?

Today we're going to take a look at what each team has coming back in terms of yards, attempts and touchdowns in the run game. Earlier today we looked at the South. Now we'll look at the North. "Team" carries are not taken into account looking ahead to 2013, but negative yards in 2012 are. Remember also that sacks are (for some redonkulous reason) counted as rushing attempts.

Here's a reminder of how the teams ranked in the league in rushing offense last year:

1. Oregon
2. Arizona
3. Arizona State
4. UCLA
5. California
6. Stanford
7. USC
8. Washington
9. Utah
10. Oregon State
11. Colorado
12. Washington State

Here's what the teams in the Pac-12 North have coming back.

California

• Rushing yards in 2012: 2,196
• Rushing attempts in 2012: 451
• Rushing touchdowns in 2012: 18
• Rushing yards returning: 536
• Rushing attempts returning: 54
• Rushing touchdowns returning: 5
• Percentage of yards returning: 24 percent
• Percentage of attempts returning: 11 percent
• Percentage of touchdowns returning: 27 percent
• Biggest statistical returner: Brendan Bigelow, 431 yards, 44 attempts, three touchdowns
• Biggest statistical loss: C.J. Anderson, 790 yards, 126 attempts, four touchdowns

Oregon

• Rushing yards in 2012: 4,098
• Rushing attempts in 2012: 685
• Rushing touchdowns in 2012: 48
• Rushing yards returning: 2,176
• Rushing attempts returning: 345
• Rushing touchdowns returning: 21
• Percentage of yards returning: 53 percent
• Percentage of attempts returning: 50 percent
• Percentage of touchdowns returning: 43 percent
• Biggest statistical returner: Marcus Mariota, 752 yards, 106 attempts, five touchdowns
• Biggest statistical loss: Kenjon Barner, 1,767 yards, 278 attempts, 21 touchdowns

Oregon State

• Rushing yards in 2012: 1,617
• Rushing attempts in 2012: 442
• Rushing touchdowns in 2012: 26
• Rushing yards returning: 1,236
• Rushing attempts returning: 342
• Rushing touchdowns returning: 23
• Percentage of yards returning: 76 percent
• Percentage of attempts returning: 77 percent
• Percentage of touchdowns returning: 88 percent
• Biggest statistical returner: Storm Woods, 940 yards, 13 touchdowns
• Biggest statistical loss: Malcolm Agnew, 269 yards, one touchdown

Stanford

• Rushing yards in 2012: 2440
• Rushing attempts in 2012: 549
• Rushing touchdowns in 2012: 23
• Rushing yards returning: 825
• Rushing attempts returning: 175
• Rushing touchdowns returning: 7
• Percentage of yards returning: 33 percent
• Percentage of attempts returning: 31 percent
• Percentage of touchdowns returning: 30 percent
• Biggest statistical returner: Kevin Hogan, 263 yards, 55 attempts, two touchdowns
• Biggest statistical loss: Stepfan Taylor, 1,530 yards, 322 attempts, 13 touchdowns

Washington

• Rushing yards in 2012: 1,851
• Rushing attempts in 2012: 466
• Rushing touchdowns in 2012: 19
• Rushing yards returning: 1,774
• Rushing attempts returning: 428
• Rushing touchdowns returning: 19
• Percentage of yards returning: 95 percent
• Percentage of attempts returning: 91 percent
• Percentage of touchdowns returning: 100 percent
• Biggest statistical returner: Bishop Sankey, 1,439 yards, 289 attempts, 16 touchdowns
• Biggest statistical loss: Dezden Petty, 99 yards, 29 attempts, zero touchdowns

Washington State

• Rushing yards in 2012: 349
• Rushing attempts in 2012: 252
• Rushing touchdowns in 2012: 6
• Rushing yards returning: 204
• Rushing attempts returning: 111
• Rushing touchdowns returning: 1
• Percentage of yards returning: 58 percent
• Percentage of attempts returning: 44 percent
• Percentage of touchdowns returning: 16 percent
• Biggest statistical returner: Teondray Caldwell, 269 yards, 56 attempts, zero touchdowns
• Biggest statistical loss: Carl Winston, 280 yards, 85 attempts, five touchdowns

EDIT: Unfortunately, due to an out-of-date roster, the WSU numbers have changed and the statistical anomaly that was their returning rushing attack is no more. I'm just as bummed as you all are. The new numbers have been updated.

The ESPN 150+150 -- we'll call it the ESPN 300 to avoid confusion -- has been released.

Here's the link to the commitment scorecard.

USC currently sits at 16th in the team rankings, with Washington, Stanford and Arizona all ranked in the top 25.

The current teams with ESPN 300 commitments are:

• USC (3): Jordan Poland (OT, La Jolla, Calif.), Tashon Smallwood (DT, Fresno, Calif.), Toa Lobendahn (OG, La Habra, Calif.)
• Washington (2): Rashead Johnson (Ath, Long Beach, Calif.), Don Hill (DE, Boise, Idaho).
• Stanford (2): Christian McCaffrey (Ath, Highlands Ranch, Colo.), Brandon Simmons (S, Arlington, Texas).
• Arizona (2): Cameron Denson (150, Ath, Tucson, Ariz.), Nick Wilson (RB, Fresno, Calif.)
• Oregon (1): Jordan Hoiem (OLB, Wailuku, Hawaii).
• California (1): Jalen Harvey (WR, El Cerrito, Calif.)

The "hot board" has also been updated, which gives a temperature rating for where the top prospects might end up.

Included on the list are:

• QB Keller Chryst (Stanford)
• Ath Michiah Quick (USC)
• DE Solomon Thomas (Stanford)
• TE Tyler Luatua (USC)
• OT Casey Tucker (Stanford)
• Ath John "JuJu" Smith (USC)
• OG Damien Mama (USC)
• CB Tyler Whiley (UCLA)
• TE Bryce Dixon (UCLA)
• Ath Marquis Ware (UCLA)
• RB Joe Mixon (USC)
• S Bishard "Budda" Baker (Oregon)
• TE Dalton Schultz (Stanford)

Or course, there are no promises that this is where players will sign. We've seen plenty of final month, week and minute commitment switches. Some have even switched after signing day. But it's a decent gauge for where a commit might be leaning.

Finally, here are the updated class rankings .

The Lannisters send their regards.

• Now that all chargers have been dropped against Ka'Deem Carey, how does the running back rate nationally?
• Neat story about how Todd Graham and his coaches are making a difference in the lives of kids without fathers.
• A Father's Day reminder of Sonny Dykes' roots.
• Since 2006, Colorado's athletic department has paid out $9 million in severance. (If you say it like Dr. Evil, it's not quite as bad).
• The Ducks picked up a commit from a long snapper.
• Departing OSU beat writer Cliff Kirkpatrick (who is off to cover starved-for-media-attention Alabama) recounts his top memory covering the Beavers.
• Who steps up at WR for the Cardinal?
• Jerry Rice Jr., who was planning to leave UCLA before spring, will finish his career at UNLV.
• The Trojans are looking for leadership from Hayes Pullard.
• What to expect when Utah faces USU.
• Huskies make their pitch for running back recruit.
• WSU checks in at No. 93 on USA Today's countdown of teams.

Ted spent much of the last two weeks looking at individuals from the league who are coming back. But what about from a team standpoint? As is always the case, we have to say goodbye to some folks who have graduated, departed early, transferred or simply chose to follow another path in life. What's left in the pantry?

Today we're going to take a look at what each team has coming back in terms of yards, attempts and touchdowns in the run game. We'll start with the Pac-12 South. "Team" carries are not taken into account looking ahead to 2013, but negative yards in 2012 are. Remember also that sacks are (for some redonkulous reason) counted as a rushing attempts.

Here's a reminder of how the teams ranked in the league in rushing offense last year:

1. Oregon
2. Arizona
3. Arizona State
4. UCLA
5. California
6. Stanford
7. USC
8. Washington
9. Utah
10. Oregon State
11. Colorado
12. Washington State

Here's what the teams in the Pac-12 South have coming back.

Arizona

• Rushing yards in 2012: 2,961
• Rushing attempts in 2012: 544
• Rushing touchdowns in 2012: 33
• Rushing yards returning: 2,427
• Rushing attempts returning: 419
• Rushing touchdowns returning: 27
• Percentage of yards returning: 81 percent
• Percentage of attempts returning: 77 percent
• Percentage of touchdowns returning: 81 percent
• Biggest statistical returner: Ka'Deem Carey, 1,929 yards, 303 attempts, 23 touchdowns
• Biggest statistical loss: Matt Scott, 506 yards, 113 attempts, six touchdowns

Arizona State

• Rushing yards in 2012: 2,670
• Rushing attempts in 2012: 598
• Rushing touchdowns in 2012: 27
• Rushing yards returning: 1,998
• Rushing attempts returning: 421
• Rushing touchdowns returning: 18
• Percentage of yards returning: 74 percent
• Percentage of attempts returning: 70 percent
• Percentage of touchdowns returning: 66 percent
• Biggest statistical returner: Marion Grice, 679 yards, 103 attempts, 11 touchdowns
• Biggest statistical loss: Cameron Marshall, 583 yards, 135 attempts, nine touchdowns

Colorado

• Rushing yards in 2012: 1,323
• Rushing attempts in 2012: 425
• Rushing touchdowns in 2012: 16
• Rushing yards returning: 1,320
• Rushing attempts returning: 396
• Rushing touchdowns returning: 15
• Percentage of yards returning: 98 percent
• Percentage of attempts returning: 93 percent
• Percentage of touchdowns returning: 93 percent
• Biggest statistical returner: Christian Powell, 691 yards, 158 attempts, seven touchdowns
• Biggest statistical loss: Nick Hirschman, zero rushing yards, 25 attempts, one touchdown

*Note: Colorado is interesting because Hirshman is the only player who carried last year who is off the roster, and he evened out with 60 rushing yards and 60 yards lost. Jordan Webb, Connor Wood and John Schrock accounted for minus-152 yards. The 20-yard differential is in minus-20 "team" yards, which aren't taken into account as returning yards.

UCLA

• Rushing yards in 2012: 2,671
• Rushing attempts in 2012: 599
• Rushing touchdowns in 2012: 29
• Rushing yards returning: 954
• Rushing attempts returning: 305
• Rushing touchdowns returning: 16
• Percentage of yards returning: 35 percent
• Percentage of attempts returning: 50 percent
• Percentage of touchdowns returning: 55 percent
• Biggest statistical returner: Brett Hundley, 355 yards, 160 attempts, nine touchdowns
• Biggest statistical loss: Johnathan Franklin, 1,734 yards, 282 attempts, 13 touchdowns

USC

• Rushing yards in 2012: 1,958
• Rushing attempts in 2012: 392
• Rushing touchdowns in 2012: 12
• Rushing yards returning: 1,271
• Rushing attempts returning: 247
• Rushing touchdowns returning: 10
• Percentage of yards returning: 64 percent
• Percentage of attempts returings: 63 percent
• Percentage of touchdowns returning: 83 percent
• Biggest statistical returner: Silas Redd, 905 yards, 167 attempts, nine touchdowns
• Biggest statistical loss: Curtis McNeal, 701 yards, 116 attempts, two touchdowns

Utah

• Rushing yards in 2012: 1,605
• Rushing attempts in 2012: 446
• Rushing touchdowns in 2012: 17
• Rushing yards returning: 539
• Rushing attempts returning: 184
• Rushing touchdowns returning: 8
• Percentage of yards returning: 33 percent
• Percentage of attempts returnings: 41 percent
• Percentage of touchdowns returning: 47 percent
• Biggest statistical returner: Kelvin York, 273 yards, 60 attempts, three touchdowns
• Biggest statistical loss: John White, 1,041 yards, 218 attempts, eight touchdowns

It is a happy, happy Friday. I will be on vacation next week, but Kevin will be back after winning $4.7 million in Vegas playing blackjack.

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To the mail!

Alex from Corvallis writes: Have you heard about the 8th grader that got offered a scholarship to play football at UCLA? I've noticed that this is starting to become a trend in college football (Look at USC, Alabama, etc.). Why do you think teams are starting to become so interested in recruiting football players that have yet to play a snap of high school football? I understand that these players must have a ton of upside and a bright future ahead of them, but don't you think that offering a college scholarship to a middle school athlete is a little too much?

Ted Miller: Yes, I have heard about it.

I've made it pretty clear how I stand on this. I don't like it. I think it's a bad thing for the child.

If my son ends up being very good as an eighth grader in football and then gets offered a scholarship by a program, I would tell the coach "thanks," tell my son about the offer so he could feel proud, and then request that the offer not be made public.

There is nothing positive for the young man in this becoming a national story. Nothing.

The attention and ripple of fame? It's just north of the Honey Boo Boo variety. It's almost entirely a negative. Further, it has no value for him in the recruiting process. None.

For the team? Sure, there are potential payoffs.

The biggest one: The team gets its hooks into the young man. If he continues to progress and, indeed, becomes an elite prospect, then any advantage, however slight, is a positive for the team.

And, from the team's perspective, there are no drawbacks to any recruiting advantage, however slight.

Understand this, however: A player who gets an offer as an eighth grader has received NOTHING. There is no obligation, either way. But that mostly favors the team.

If the young man's senior year rolls around, and the program believes there are better available prospects, they will go after them without hesitation. The program will tell the player, "It's not us, it's you, goodbye and good luck."

That's not an issue for the program, which has the singular goal of signing the best recruiting class possible, even if feelings get hurt along the way.

But for the young man? He becomes an amusing footnote, relegated to the "Where are they now file?"

For example, on signing day, one of the items in the ESPN national recruiting notebook would look like this:

MILLER LEFT IN THE LURCH: Remember when eighth grade QB phenom Ted Miller became a national story when he committed to Michigan in 2009?

At the time, everyone called Miller "Robo QB." He started studying with QB gurus Sammy Baugh and Chevy Chase in kindergarten. His father created his own school so he could surround his child with 100s of people whose sole task was making his son a college QB.

For a while, it seemed like they might rename YouTube "MillerTube," after his father paid NFL Films to document his games.

Well, Miller is going to play college football, only he's headed to William & Mary after the University of Richmond ran out of scholarships.

Miller had a nice high school career, but the best eighth-grade quarterbacks are not always the best senior quarterbacks.

"William & Mary has a great Pac-12 blogger program," Miller said. "When it comes down to it, that's a lot better than being a big-time college quarterback and getting a shot at the NFL."

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Bill from Eugene, Ore., writes: Read the story on Mark Banker. It always seem funny to me how outsiders take every opportunity to castigate supporters of a program for calling for something other than mediocrity. Banker's defenses for years have been inept against spread offenses. That is a case of schemes and Banker clearly cannot scheme against spreads. I see no reason to believe that this year will be any different. Look at OSU's record over the last 5-6 years and tell me how many times they have beat a team that runs a predominantly spread offense. Then you will know why supporters are not on the Banker bandwagon.

Ted Miller: I'll look back one year, because it answers your question.

The Beavers played five spread teams last year:

• UCLA runs a spread. It averaged 34.4 points per game last year. Oregon State held the Bruins to 20 points on the road.
• Arizona runs a spread. It averaged 38 points per game last year. Oregon State held the Wildcats to 35 points on the road.
• Washington State runs a spread. It averaged 20.4 points per game last year. Oregon State held the Cougars to six points.
• Arizona State runs a spread. It averaged 38 points per game last year. Oregon State held the Sun Devils to 26 points.

All wins.

By the way, the Sun Devils averaged 464 yards last year. They had 303 versus the Beavers.

Of course, your question's false premise emerges from being being blinded by one team: Oregon. Oregon runs a spread and Banker has had little luck slowing down the Ducks' offense since Chip Kelly came to town.

You know: Just like everyone else, other than Stanford last year, California in 2010, LSU in 2011 and Ohio State in the 2010 Rose Bowl.

You have a right to call Banker a "mediocre" coordinator. But it would run counter with what football people think.

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Chez Bear Panisse from San Francisco writes: Cal will have some trying times this year: new everything and a ridiculous schedule. But in 2014 they return almost everything (assuming health), and the schedule is much more "manageable." Do you believe Dykes will have things rolling by then?

Ted Miller: You reopen on June 24!

I think Cal fans should cross their fingers and root for six wins and bowl eligibility this fall. This is a rebuilding team with a new coaching staff and a brutal schedule. But I agree. Things should be brighter in 2014.

You are correct about almost everybody coming back in 2014. Just two of the 12 offensive starters listed on the post spring depth chart are seniors -- RT Bill Tyndall and Y receiver Jackson Bouza -- and just two of the 11 starters on defense are seniors -- NT Deandre Coleman and safety Alex Logan.

Moreover, in 2014, you'll have a second-year starter at QB, whoever it is, RB Brendan Bigelow and what should be a strong crew of receivers.

It's also true the schedule should be more manageable. While Cal opens at Northwestern, there's no date with Ohio State, and Oregon, UCLA, Washington and Stanford all come to Berkeley.

It also figures to help that everyone will be familiar with new schemes on both sides of the ball in Sonny Dykes, Year 2.

So I agree: I think Cal sets up well for a nice jump in its second season under Dykes.

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Tim from Salt Lake City writes: In seeing all of these metrics proclaiming Utah's inexperience due to returning starters I've been trying to see a silver lining. I see this as potentially more of an "out with the old, in with the new". After a couple of years of PAC-12 recruiting, shouldn't we start seeing those players moving in to occupy starting roles? Sure, we've lost a few key players (Lotulelei, White, and Kruger) but I think we're starting to look much more solid across the board.

Ted Miller: Returning starters is a sometimes misleading measure of a team in the preseason. If 20 guys who lost 10 games the year before are coming back, why should that be a good thing?

(With bad teams welcoming back lots of starters, my general feeling is if a lot of those returning starters were first and second-year players -- guys who have room to improve -- it's probably a better thing than if they are upperclassmen, who mostly have revealed who they are as players).

Coach Kyle Whittingham has talked about an uptick in recruiting due to Pac-12 membership. The one thing teams could use against Utah before 2011 -- not in an AQ conference -- is gone. So the Utes' across-the-board talent should be improving, though I don't think you'll be able to take a full measure of that until you're five years down the road and the entire roster was recruited to play in the Pac-12.

All this said: I think the Utes' first two seasons of Pac-12 play would have been much better if only Jordan Wynn's shoulders had remained healthy. If the guy who beat California in the 2009 Poinsettia Bowl had become the standard behind center, I think the Utes would have been around .500 in Pac-12 play. At least.

It's hard to win in this league with 191 yards passing per game.

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Bryan from Phoenix writes: I'm a Ohio State fan who just recently moved from Columbus to Phoenix, so I think it's time for me to start following PAC football. I actually just got a ticket bundle for 3 ASU games, one against Wisconsin. I couldn't be more excited. I was just curious to see what you thought of Arizona State this year, and how likely they are to win the Pac-12 South. It doesn't seem out of reach.

Ted Miller: It doesn't seem like an opportune time to be leaving Columbus. The Buckeyes seem to be on a decided uptick under Urban Meyer.

I see the Pac-12 South Division as a three-horse race: Arizona State, UCLA and USC.

You can find advocates for all three teams. The Sun Devils and Bruins have experience at quarterback, which I see as an edge, but the recent success of first-year starters -- such as Brett Hundley at UCLA and Taylor Kelly at Arizona State -- indicates that's not an insurmountable issue.

I'm a slight lean to the Sun Devils at this point, in large part because UCLA has a tougher conference schedule (the Sun Devils don't play Oregon). Of course, USC doesn't play Oregon either.

I view all three as top-25 teams.

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John from Los Angeles writes: Hey Ted! Hope your holding up well despite that low-life Kevin bailing on you for a couple of weeks. (FYI - when you take your vacation, I will simply replace "Kevin" with "Ted" ala your piece on UCLA and USC offering toddlers.) Question re: list of players attending Pac-12 media day. I would add the omission of Brett Hundley for UCLA. I know OL need all the love they can get, but IMHO not including Hundley also raises a question. Take care.

Ted Miller: Fair enough. I do wish Hundley was going to be at media day.

But offensive lineman Xavier Su'a-Filo was first-team All-Pac-12 in 2012 and is an All-American candidate this year. He's actually more decorated than Hundley, at least at this point. So my feeling was it was more justifiable, though media sorts typically want to chat with star QBs instead of star O-lineman, right or wrong.

I tweaked Arizona and Arizona State because RB Ka'Deem Carey and DT Will Sutton are 2012 consensus All-Americans and the guys going in their steads, while nice players, aren't likely to be first-team All-Pac-12 this fall.

Happy Friday.

• Whatever happened to former Arizona safety Adam Hall?
• More on Arizona State staring down Notre Dame.
• California has landed a commitment from a quarterback.
• Not much news so far on Colorado's search for a new athletic director.
• Oregon's Scott Frost is an offensive coordinator to watch this season.
• This is a few days old, but it's interesting commentary on Oregon Sate's quarterback competition.
• Another excerpt from The Stanford Daily’s upcoming book, “Rags to Roses: The Rise of Stanford Football.”
• Is UCLA's Anthony Barr the nation's best outside linebacker?
• A USC recruiting update.
• A Texas receiver commits to Utah.
• Washington's player ratings according to EA Sports NCAA football 2014.
• And Washington State's player ratings according to EA Sports.
• A look at quarterbacks in the Conference of Quarterbacks.

Every year during the preseason, we rank things -- best this, best that. It's highly subjective. And fans seem to like it. We know that because it makes so many of you apoplectic at our bias and stupidity.

Athlon Sports has ranked the Pac-12 stadiums. Here's its completely defensible list.

1. Auzten Stadium, Oregon
2. Husky Stadium, Washington
3. Rose Bowl, UCLA
4. LA Coliseum, USC
5. Folsom Field, Colorado
6. Memorial Stadium, California
7. Sun Devil Stadium, Arizona State
8. Reser Stadium, Oregon State
9. Stanford Stadium, Stanford
10. Arizona Stadium, Arizona
11. Rice-Eccles Stadium, Utah
12. Martin Stadium, Washington State

The thing about ranking stadiums is there's a lot that goes into it.

Are you voting on the venue's quality? Its surroundings? The team inside it? The size? Loudness?

Are stadiums that house struggling teams going to get automatically downgraded? Will teams with small stadiums always lose out? And does the surrounding scene -- food, drink, entertainment -- matter?

If you are voting on the stadium itself -- the venue -- the Rose Bowl is the best Pac-12 stadium. Why? It's the Rose Bowl, silly.

I've not yet seen a game in the renovated Husky Stadium -- no one has! -- but if it turns out the way I keep hearing it will, it will be just behind the Rose Bowl.

As for as game-day atmosphere, Oregon is No. 1. Autzen is a great venue with very, very committed fans.

Very, very committed fans.

But if Washington gets back to its 1980s-90s form, Husky Stadium could give Autzen a run for its money.

Oh, Duck fans ... you know it's true.

As could the Coliseum. Talk about an intimidating place to play. The Trojans were practically unbeatable there from 2002-08. Don't forget the USC band playing its ditties. Over and over. And over.

And what happens if California and Colorado play their way back into the Top 25? Great venues, great locations and fans that can get after it.

Further, I'm not so sure Rice-Eccles should be so low. The only negative for Utah is size. Otherwise, it's a cool stadium with seriously passionate fans. And, if I'm there, I go here after the game and gain 10 pounds.

Like I wrote, it's highly subjective. When the Rose Bowl is half full, it's a pretty mediocre scene. When Martin Stadium was rocking during the Cougars' run from 2001-03, it was a pretty darn cool place, too.

And Boulder is a really, really great place to visit.