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Utah Utes
The Trojans make their return from a two-year bowl ban with the focus on winning not only the Pac-12 title but a national championship. With the 19 returning starters from the 10-2 team of 2011, will USC dethrone Oregon as conference champion? Click on the team logos to set your rankings!
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Player rankings: ACC | Big 12 | Big East | Big Ten | Pac-12 | SEC
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2012 Pac-12 football teams

Arizona
2011 overall: 4-8
2011 Pac-12: 2-7

Arizona State
2011 overall: 6-7
2011 Pac-12: 4-5

California
2011 overall: 7-6
2011 Pac-12: 4-5

Colorado
2011 overall: 3-10
2011 Pac-12: 2-7

Oregon
2011 overall: 12-2
2011 Pac-12: 8-1

Oregon State
2011 overall: 3-9
2011 Pac-12: 3-6

Stanford
2011 overall: 11-2
2011 Pac-12: 8-1

UCLA
2011 overall: 6-8
2011 Pac-12: 5-4

USC
2011 overall: 10-2
2011 Pac-12: 7-2

Utah
2011 overall: 8-5
2011 Pac-12: 4-5

Washington
2011 overall: 7-6
2011 Pac-12: 5-4

Washington State
2011 overall: 4-8
2011 Pac-12: 2-7
Chick-fil-A Bowl

Virginia (8-4, 5-3 ACC)
No. 25 Auburn (7-5, 4-4 SEC)
AutoZone Liberty Bowl

Cincinnati (9-3, 5-2 Big East)
Vanderbilt (6-6, 2-6 SEC)
Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl

Illinois (6-6, 2-6 Big Ten)
UCLA (6-7, 5-4 Pac-12)
Hyundai Sun Bowl

Georgia Tech (8-4, 5-3 ACC)
Utah (7-5, 4-5 Pac-12)
Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas

Texas A&M (6-6, 4-5 Big 12)
Northwestern (6-6, 3-5 Big Ten)
- Vote: Which team will win tonight's game? (ESPN/ESPN3, 8 p.m. ET)
- Rank 'Em: Are Chris Petersne and Kyle Whittingham top-10 coaches?
Tonight's Las Vegas Bowl offers a showdown between the Mountain West and WAC. Or is it a showdown between the Mountain West and Pac-10? Then again, maybe it's a showdown between Mountain West past and Mountain West future. This is so confusing.
Boise State is leaving the WAC after this game to join the Mountain West. Utah is leaving the Mountain West after this game to join the Pac-10. And then there's TCU going to the Big East after next season. But whether tonight's game is a battle of mid-majors or Utah's first steps as a major, what does the future holds for the three highest-profile non-AQ programs?
Neil (Vegas)
Which new conference are you most excited to watch next year: Pac 12 or Big Ten?
Ivan Maisel
I'm more excited to see the Big Ten, because I think Nebraska comes in at or near the top of that conference. I don't know that you can say the same about Utah and Colorado and the Pac-12. Full transcript
1. Are you picking TCU or Utah to win in Salt Lake City?
A non-AQ team in the top five is guaranteed to lose this weekend, and that might just be the best news college football's little guys have ever had. No. 3 TCU visits No. 5 Utah in a Mountain West showdown, and the winner is going to emerge with a very high-profile win to tout come title game selection. PollCenter.
- "This will be a close, defensive battle into the 4th. The altitude and the depth of the Utah Defensive line will get to the TCU O-line, and force one or two turnovers. The TCU D will get tired from being on the field (coupled with the altitude), and Shaky will break one, and Wynn will hit a big pass, probably to Christopher. A 14-10 TCU lead, turns into a 24-14 defeat." -- SN commenter UteFanCotts
- Vote: GameDay Pick 'Em | Heisman Watch
Game 1: SportsNation's burning questions for No. 3 TCU at No. 5 Utah
- Is TCU's defense really that much better than Utah's defense?
- Will Boise State be better off in the MWC than Utah in the Pac-10?
- Vote on those and other questions about TCU at Utah!
Jake (Honolulu, HI)
Utah seems to be coming in under the radar.. do you give them any chance this weekend? Do they hop Boise with a W?
Pat Forde
Jake: I give Utah a chance, playing at home. But I haven't seen any weaknesses yet in TCU. Frogs have handled all comers with ease. I believe TCU will win -- but if Utah does win I still question whether it would be enough to jump Boise. I don't know. Not a computer expert. Full transcript
Game 2: SportsNation's burning questions for No. 6 Alabama at No. 10 LSU
- Is playing LSU on the road tougher than playing Auburn at home?
- Which team would win if they swapped coaches?
- Vote on those and other questions about Alabama at LSU!
Mike (Dallas, TX)
What do you expect in the matchup between Patrick Peterson and Julio Jones? If my memory serves, Julio didn't have any catches on Peterson last year. Will scouts be watching this one closely?
Mel Kiper
It was a different mindset of Alabama last year. They were a brutally tough defense to move the ball on. They didn't have to score a lot of points. Their defense last year was talent laden, with some studs who are playing in the NFL right now. Last year, they didn't give up over 24 points in any game last year. They held 10 opponents to 15 points or less last year. They've held six opponents this year to 13 points or less. Nick Saban is a defensive guru. He's probably one of the best defensive strategists at any level. He's tried to reload that defensive side. They have to attack a little more. Jones is coming off that career game. Peterson is a shut down corner as well as a great return man. Alabama will attack a lot more, because their defense isn't what it was from a personnel standpoint. Full transcript
Game 3: SportsNation's burning questions for No. 18 Arkansas at No. 19 South Carolina
- Which coach was a bigger flop in the NFL?
- Which quarterback would you rather have against Alabama?
- Vote on those and other questions about Arkansas at South Carolina!
Dave (Virginia)
Pat, love the column and your chats...People keep looking at the South Carolina-Florida clash on Nov 13 in the Swamp as the decider. My question to you is, doesn't Arkansas look like Carolina's worst nightmare right now with the way the Gamecocks have defended the pass lately?
Pat Forde
Dave: Thank you. By my read of the situation, South Carolina can lose to Arkansas and still control its own destiny. At 4-3, if the Gamecocks beat Florida they win the East. Full transcript
Game 4: SportsNation's burning questions for No. 21 Baylor at No. 17 Oklahoma State
- How many points will it take to win this game?
- Is Robert Griffin III more exciting than Justin Blackmon?
- Vote on those and other questions about Baylor at Oklahoma State!
James (Stillwater)
Do you see Robert Griffin III having a big day passing like Taylor Martinez did against the OSU secondary?
Big 12 blogger David Ubben
I do, but Oklahoma State's going to put big points up, too. I didn't really get why everyone thought K-State and Oklahoma State were going to play a high-scoring game. I think I picked it like 34-17 OSU. This week could get out of hand, though. Make sure that scoreboard has room for triple digits. Full transcript
- Vote: Are you a fan of the blue turf? | Would Boise State win the Pac-10?
- Rank 'Em: Which teams are the biggest threat to the BCS this season?
- Chat: Non-AQ blogger Andrea Adelson talks Mountain West, WAC and more, 2 ET
A lot of college football fans will tell you their two favorite teams are their team and whoever plays their rival that Saturday. But it sure feels like Boise State is gaining ground on the latter part of that equation.
There are a lot of things working in Boise State's favor as it builds a nationwide network of fans. The Broncos play at least five games on ESPN or ESPN2 this season, all on weekday nights when college football fans are craving something to tide them over until Saturday. And since it's safe to say the BCS isn't America's most popular institution, it only makes sense to support the team whose diverse playbook has helped poke holes in the system's flaws. Plus, let's be honest, who doesn't love them some blue turf?
So as long as they aren't playing your team, is Boise State America's team?
Brian (Greensboro)
Ivan, pretend that Boise State is any BCS conference this year...where do you rank them? Is it still third (AP), fifth (Coaches) or something else?
Ivan Maisel
I understand your point. But Boise State has won two Fiesta Bowls in the last four years. They have 20-plus starters returning from an undefeated team. I don't think anyone need apologize for ranking the Broncos high. And if they lose, we'll be wrong and we'll all move on. Full transcript
Jeremy (Corvallis)
How do you think Boise would do in the PAC-10? It's much easier to get up for 1 (max. 2) games per year, compared to having to show up every week (except against Wazzu).
Pac-10 blogger Ted Miller
Hard to say: Boise is a good team, and it is particularly good at preparing for big games. But as you say, playing a quality foe just about every week is something the Broncos have not done. I do think this year's Boise State team would finish in the top-third of the Pac-10, perhaps even win the conference. Full transcript
- Vote: What is the right move for BYU? | What about the original Notre Dame?
- Rank 'Em: How will the Mountain West race unfold this season?
You thought we were done with conference reshuffling just because the regular season is right around the corner and fans are already staking out prime tailgating real estate? Think again. As Andy Katz reported yesterday, BYU is inching ever closer to ditching the Mountain West Conference in favor of football independence (and WAC dependence in the rest of its athletic offerings).
But is making a move to become the "Notre Dame of the West" really a wise plan? Do they only get NBC in Provo? As Brian Kelly starts his first season as coach of the Fighting Irish -- the fourth coach in 10 seasons at the school -- South Bend isn't exactly the center of the college football universe that perhaps it once was.
Meanwhile, even with Fresno State and Nevada coming aboard, SportsNation blogger laneguzman wonders if BYU's departure would lead TCU to make a move of its own.
- "Why stay in the MWC without BYU and Utah? What good is a going undefeated and not being able to play for the nation championship? Why should your other sports suffer playing in the MWC when they could join a stronger conference. The Big 12 in baseball perhaps?" -- Check out laneguzman's blog
Kevin (Provo)
What are BYU's chances of having another 10+ win season with their tough schedule?
College Football Nation blogger Andrea Adelson
It's going to be tough. The schedule is absolutely brutal. Washington is going to be better; Air Force is going to be better; FSU is going to be better; Nevada is going to be better. That's just the first 4. There are high hopes at Utah St., too. And then BYU has to play at TCU and at Utah. This team is young and inexperienced without a QB at this point. So I think a 10-win season is going to be an absolute testament to Bronco Mendenhall if it happens. Full transcript
“This is ridiculous. Some needs to put a stop to all this madness. College Football was great because of the passion and tradition. Lets just call college football NFL JR. Greed is ruining this sport. Sad. If BYU leaves the MWC they will get whats coming to them.
” -- davidpimp03
“Ironically, the only thing that is saving the MWC from falling behind the Sunbelt and MAC to #11 is the addition of Boise St.(which it shunned too long). If BSU had stayed in the WAC...? Hawaii, BSU, Nevada and Fresno would definitely be better than what is left in the MWC now.
” -- bodhisamaya
- Vote: GameDay Pick 'Em | Heisman Watch | SportsNation Top 25
- Vote on big topics: Charlie Weis' future | Auburn at Georgia
- Blogger chat wraps: ACC | Big 12 | Big East | Big Ten | Pac-10 | SEC | Others
- More wraps: Mark Schlabach | Pat Forde | Mel Kiper | Ivan Maisel | Bruce Feldman
- Special guests: Brad Edwards | Boise State cornerback Kyle Wilson
It won't be an easy weekend for BCS Cinderellas, even though they're all playing at home. Cincinnati faces No. 25 West Virginia, TCU gets the pressure of GameDay and No. 16 Utah, and Boise State deals with a surprising 7-3 Idaho (and a visiting AD who doesn't like to fly on planes with Broncos markings).
USC fans still have BCS hope, but know their team can't lose again. Boise State, Cincinnati and Iowa fans wonder what more their teams can do, besides pray for a loss by one of the top 3.
Now that Ohio State has two losses SportsNation thinks Ohio State is using Terrelle Pryor incorrectly. Fans, however, still think Sam Bradford is a first-round pick.
Florida State kicked off Week 8 with a needed win, and Alabama, Florida and Texas face opponents they shouldn't overlook.
- Vote: "GameDay" Pick 'Em | Heisman Watch | SportsNation Top 25
- Vote on big games: Tennessee at Alabama | Texas at Missouri
- Blogger chat wraps: ACC | Big 12 | Big East | Big Ten | Pac-10 | SEC | Others
- Other wraps: Brad Edwards | Bruce Feldman | Ivan Maisel | Pat Forde | Mark Schlabach
“Mark Ingram is a good reason for [Alabama's] passing to be less of a factor. Wait until next year for any shot of a Vols upset.
” -- Beano Cook
“I pick Florida to win this game, but to be seen as legitimately No. 1, the Gators should win convincingly, even more so than against Arkansas.
” -- IdahoanTyke
“My ranking: 1. Iowa; 2. Florida; 3. Alabama; 4. Texas; 5. Virginia Tech; 6. TCU; 7. Boise State; 8. USC; 9. Oregon; 10. LSU.
” -- CheezusCrust
Fan blogger predictions for Week 8: nunyabiz81 | jodiemeeks23ppat54 | dfpsports | IdahoanTyke | codywin25 | gbirkem2 | utesfan2 | Sportsguru6
Two topics dominated college football fan blogs this week: resurgence and the Tennessee-Florida jawing.
Just about everybody outside of Knoxville wants the Gators to shut up Lane Kiffin. Just about everybody in Ann Arbor now believes. Just about everybody in the ACC is now afraid of Miami again.
Here are the voices and predictions and reactions of all the college football fans who blogged on ESPN.com this week:
“As a Vols fan, I have hope that the Big Orange can somehow win this game: hope and a prayer with a little luck sprinkled in.
” -- LANETRAIN09
“The only song Tennessee will be singing is Brahms' Lullaby after the Florida defense knocks them out. Florida 70, Tennessee 14.
” -- JoeRevs300
Nebraska-Virginia Tech: "The Hokies have one of the best dual-threat QBs in the nation. ... The Huskers have the difficult task of playing Virginia Tech in Lane Stadium, arguably one of the best home-field advantages in all of college football. FINAL SCORE: Virginia Tech 31, Nebraska 21." -- uclabruin094
Texas Tech-Texas: "Texas 45, Texas Tech 28. Texas is more experienced, has Colt McCoy, and has home field to boot." -- txtechjmacattack
Utah-Oregon: "Oregon's high-flying offense has scored only 47 points the last two games. How will the defense hold up against this Utah offense? Utah 31-18." -- tjroundup
Week 3 predictions: cardon032 | nunyabiz81 | utesfan2 | tjroundup | Sportsguru6 | uclabruin094 | pettyofficerkeller2 | codywin25 | spoofybeme2005
Fan rankings: pnthrsfn1012 | canesinla | sundevil22820 | Slaton_20 | theballguy (SEC) | pigtailedtigerpiccolo (overrated)
Heisman: NYJ111sbp
“Two weeks ago I was reading posts from Michigan faithful, that made them sound worse than Buckeye fans. ... So to all the posters throughout the country that constantly took shots at Michigan, I guess my question is 'what's up now?'
” -- debakes10
“The Miami Hurricanes are relevant again in college football and quite realistically in the BCS picture.
” -- SeAGoBLin15
“For Notre Dame and Coach Weis the questions have turned into demands from 'are we there yet?' to 'you better get us there and soon.'
” -- NDIrishof84
Big 12: AustinBrando (Texas) | katiec_6886 (Texas) | rgadawg (Texas) | txtechjmacattack (Texas Tech) | espnb12s
Big Ten: debakes10 (Michigan) | Lett08 (Michigan) | nunyabiz81 (Michigan) | bsharp0913 (Ohio State) | jahowell29 (Ohio State) | jonesc1906
MAC: Siltjade (Central Michigan)
MWC: GBU_12 (BYU)
Other: NDIrishof84 (Notre Dame) | dbm326 (parity) | JayBird 67 (rivalries) | bigpersian76 | pcbboy2002
Pac-10: Derek from Alabama (USC) | Thunderstruck126265
SEC: ottomason (Tennessee) | LANETRAIN09 (Tennessee) | bsharp0913 (Tennessee) | SeAGoBLin15
WAC: BalleR96734 (Hawaii)
Week 2 looking back: ADEVARTS | espnb12s | nunyabiz81 | afjumpman23

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