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Early 2019 Top 25 Projections
DoogCourics
Member Posts: 5,739
Just going to focus on Pac-12 Members.
Mandel:
9. Oregon (9-4)
Putting aside the Ducks’ ugly 7-6 bowl win against Michigan State, star QB Justin Herbert’s return makes Oregon the likely Pac-12 favorite. The Ducks return nearly every other key offensive player, though 1,184-yard WR Dillon Mitchell turned pro. Oregon’s defense was inconsistent this season but will be more experienced. And coach Mario Cristobal welcomes the highest-rated recruiting class in school history.
20. Utah (9-5)
The Utes’ injury-plagued season ended in disappointment, but they were still a solid team that returns most of its key pieces. On offense, that’s QBs Tyler Huntley and Jason Shelley, RBs Zack Moss and Armand Shyne and WR Britain Covey. And while LBs Chase Hansen and Cody Barton will be missed, Kyle Whittingham’s teams can be counted on to field a strong defense nearly every year, especially up front.
22. Washington (10-4)
Chris Petersen will be dealing with massive turnover, replacing RB Myles Gaskin, LB Ben Burr-Kirven, CB Byron Murphy and S Taylor Rapp. In fact, Washington could have as few as nine returning starters. But former five-star QB Jacob Eason, who started for Georgia as a true freshman, is the favorite to take over for four-year starter Jake Browning. RB Salvon Ahmed showed potential to step up in place of Gaskin, and LB Joe Tryon and DE Levi Onwuzurike are rising stars on defense.
24. USC (5-7)
Consider this a bet on new OC Kliff Kingsbury a) staying with USC and b) having a major impact. He inherits rising sophomore QB JT Daniels and WRs Michael Pittman, Tyler Vaughns and Amon-Ra St. Brown. But USC wasn’t particularly strong on defense to begin with and must replace veterans like LBs Cam Smith and Porter Gustin and CB Iman Marshall. DEs Christian Rector and Jay Tufele and LB Palaie Gaoteote IV must step up.
Oops, he published before the KKK fiasco got sorted out.
Mandel:
9. Oregon (9-4)
Putting aside the Ducks’ ugly 7-6 bowl win against Michigan State, star QB Justin Herbert’s return makes Oregon the likely Pac-12 favorite. The Ducks return nearly every other key offensive player, though 1,184-yard WR Dillon Mitchell turned pro. Oregon’s defense was inconsistent this season but will be more experienced. And coach Mario Cristobal welcomes the highest-rated recruiting class in school history.
20. Utah (9-5)
The Utes’ injury-plagued season ended in disappointment, but they were still a solid team that returns most of its key pieces. On offense, that’s QBs Tyler Huntley and Jason Shelley, RBs Zack Moss and Armand Shyne and WR Britain Covey. And while LBs Chase Hansen and Cody Barton will be missed, Kyle Whittingham’s teams can be counted on to field a strong defense nearly every year, especially up front.
22. Washington (10-4)
Chris Petersen will be dealing with massive turnover, replacing RB Myles Gaskin, LB Ben Burr-Kirven, CB Byron Murphy and S Taylor Rapp. In fact, Washington could have as few as nine returning starters. But former five-star QB Jacob Eason, who started for Georgia as a true freshman, is the favorite to take over for four-year starter Jake Browning. RB Salvon Ahmed showed potential to step up in place of Gaskin, and LB Joe Tryon and DE Levi Onwuzurike are rising stars on defense.
24. USC (5-7)
Consider this a bet on new OC Kliff Kingsbury a) staying with USC and b) having a major impact. He inherits rising sophomore QB JT Daniels and WRs Michael Pittman, Tyler Vaughns and Amon-Ra St. Brown. But USC wasn’t particularly strong on defense to begin with and must replace veterans like LBs Cam Smith and Porter Gustin and CB Iman Marshall. DEs Christian Rector and Jay Tufele and LB Palaie Gaoteote IV must step up.
Oops, he published before the KKK fiasco got sorted out.
Comments
12. Oregon
With Justin Herbert returning for his senior year, Oregon should be the favorite in the Pac-12 and the conference’s best hope for a playoff team. In addition to Herbert, the Ducks bring back all five starters on a line that should rank among the best in college football. Left tackle Penei Sewell is a rising star, while center Jake Hanson has started 38 games in his career. The backfield is set with the one-two punch of CJ Verdell and Travis Dye in place, but the Ducks could use more playmakers at receiver. Early NFL departure Dillon Mitchell posted over 1,000 receiving yards in 2018, but no other Oregon receiver eclipsed 500. The Ducks' defense loses a couple of key seniors — linebackers Kaulana Apelu and Justin Hollins, end Jalen Jelks and cornerback Ugo Amadi — but help is on the way from a standout recruiting class, which features five-star lineman Kayvon Thibodeaux and four-star prospects Mykael Wright (CB) and Mase Funa (LB). Linebacker Troy Dye has eclipsed over 100 tackles in back-to-back years and could leave early for the NFL. Assuming he returns, Dye will anchor a unit that also returns promising players like Thomas Graham, Jevon Holland, Nick Pickett and Jordon Scott. Oregon opens 2019 with a neutral site matchup against Auburn and plays at Stanford and Washington.
14. Washington
Chris Petersen has won at least 10 games in each of the last three seasons and claimed two Pac-12 titles in that span. The bar has been raised by Petersen and his staff, but the Huskies are likely to enter 2019 behind Oregon in the Pac-12 North. The prolific backfield of quarterback Jake Browning and Myles Gaskin departs, while All-Pac-12 lineman Kaleb McGary also has exhausted his eligibility. Georgia transfer Jacob Eason, freshmen Colson Yankoff and Jacob Sirmon and sophomore Jake Haener will battle to replace Browning under center. The receiving corps was a question mark entering 2018 but should be a strength next fall. Aaron Fuller, Andre Baccellia and Ty Jones return outside, while tight end Hunter Bryant should be back to full strength after missing most of ’18 due to a knee injury. Salvon Ahmed should have a breakout year as the full-time running back, and he’ll be toting the rock behind a line that returns four full-time starters from 2018, along with left tackle Trey Adams back at full strength from an injury that limited him to four games. The Huskies led the Pac-12 in scoring defense for the fourth consecutive year in 2018. Play-caller Jimmy Lake will have his work cut out in ’19, as this unit must replace Shane Bowman, Greg Gaines and Jaylen Johnson in the trenches, All-American linebacker Ben Burr-Kirven, while the secondary loses Taylor Rapp, JoJo McIntosh and Byron Murphy. Washington opens with four of its first five games at home and key swing matchups against Oregon, Utah and Washington State take place in Seattle.
16. Utah
After winning the Pac-12 South for the first time in program history, the Utes should be the early favorite to win the division in 2019. Quarterback Tyler Huntley is back after missing the last five games of the year due to a collarbone injury, and the offense received a boost when running back Zack Moss decided to return for his senior year. The departures of center Lo Falemaka, tackle Jackson Barton and guard Jordan Agasiva leave a significant void up front. The offense also needs receiver Britain Covey to get back to full strength after a knee injury in the Pac-12 title game. Utah’s defense held opponents to 19.4 points a contest and 4.6 yards a play in 2018. As usual in Salt Lake City, this unit should be a strength next fall. The line ranks among the best in the nation thanks to the return of Bradlee Anae, Mika Tafua, Leki Fotu and John Penisini. The biggest personnel issue on this side of the ball is at linebacker following the departure of standout seniors Chase Hansen and Cody Barton. BYU transfer Francis Bernard could be an impact player for this unit after recording 38 stops in a reserve role in 2018. The Utes will have two new safeties, but cornerback should be a strength with Jaylon Johnson, Julian Blackmon and Javelin Guidry returning. Utah opens with a Thursday night matchup against rival BYU and plays key Pac-12 games versus USC and Washington State before the end of September. The Utes have to play at Washington but won’t have to play Oregon in the regular season.
25. Washington State
Replacing Gardner Minshew won’t be easy, but it’s safe to say Mike Leach knows a thing or two about quarterbacks, so Washington State’s high-powered offense won’t drop too far on the stat sheet next season. Regardless of whether or not Leach turns to Anthony Gordon, Trey Tinsley or Cammon Cooper next year, the supporting cast will certainly ease the transition to the new signal-caller. The Cougars return rising star Max Borghi and James Williams at running back, along with the team’s top four statistical receivers. Left tackle Andre Dillard is a big loss up front, but four other starters from the Alamo Bowl are slated to return. Tracy Claeys was one of the Pac-12’s top assistant hires prior to 2018, and the former Minnesota head coach kept Washington State’s defense near the top of the league after Alex Grinch left for Ohio State. This unit loses leading tackler Peyton Pelluer, but there’s enough returning to prevent a major drop in performance. Road trips to Oregon, Washington, California and Utah are tough, but the Cougars won’t have to play USC, while Stanford and UCLA visit Pullman in 2019.
7. OREGON
Mario Cristobal landed a top five recruiting class topped off by No. 1 recruit (lineman Kayvon Thibodeaux). The return of quarterback Justin Herbert makes the Ducks the Pac-12 favorite and an outlier playoff contender.
14. WASHINGTON
Chris Petersen has won Pac-12 titles in two of the last three seasons. The Huskies will likely start projected behind Oregon in the North. But it will be exciting with the Jacob Eason era starting.
15. UTAH
Countering the Pac-12 slide are the Utes. Kyle Whittingham has it going for the defending Pac-12 South champions. Quarterback Tyler Huntley returns after missing the final games due to injury. Three starters in the offensive line are gone. The defense is solid having allowed less than 20 points per game. The Utes should be favored to win the South again.
21. WASHINGTON ST.
Gardner Minshew and his celebrated mustache are gone. But Mike Leach has it going in Pullman, Washington. The top four receivers return. Defensive coordinator Tracy Claeys was honored as the Pac-12's top assistant.
2018 record: 9-5, 5-4 Pac-12
Outlook: When junior Justin Herbert passed on potentially becoming the first quarterback selected in April's NFL draft, it put the Ducks at the top of the Pac-12 pecking order in 2019 -- and might have made them a CFP dark horse.
With Herbert coming back, Oregon might bring back every starter from an offense that ranked No. 2 in the Pac-12 in scoring, despite throwing up a clunker in the last game, a 7-6 win over Michigan State in the Redbox Bowl.
Four of the Ducks' five starting offensive linemen, led by left guard Shane Lemieux and right tackle Calvin Throckmorton, are rising seniors with 133 career starts combined.
Oregon coach Mario Cristobal's ability to keep defensive coordinator Jim Leavitt can't be overlooked. The Ducks allowed 25.4 points per game -- a 16-point improvement from 2016 -- while starting six sophomores on defense this past season. The Ducks will also add incoming freshman Kayvon Thibodeaux, a defensive end from Westlake Village, California, who was the No. 1 overall prospect in the 2019 ESPN 300.
Though Oregon looks like the Pac-12's best team on paper for 2019, it will have to survive one of the most difficult schedules in the FBS. The Ducks open the season against Auburn in Arlington, Texas, and they'll play Pac-12 road games at Stanford, Washington, USC and Arizona State.
13. Washington State Cougars
2018 record: 11-2, 7-2 Pac-12
Outlook: Cougars coach Mike Leach transformed Minshew, a graduate transfer from East Carolina, into a folk hero. Minshew, with his big arm and unforgettable moustache, passed for 4,779 yards with 38 touchdowns, leading Washington State to its first 11-win season.
What will Leach do for an encore? Will he comb the graduate transfer market again for someone like Notre Dame's Brandon Wimbush? Or will he turn to one of Minshew's backups: Anthony Gordon, Trey Tinsley or Cammon Cooper? Only the Pirate knows.
Regardless of who is under center, the Cougars will bring back a wealth of playmakers on offense and four starting offensive linemen. They'll have to replace Pelluer, their leading tackler, and two senior defensive backs.
Washington State's nonconference slate in 2019 is again Charmin-soft with games against New Mexico State, FCS foe Northern Colorado and Houston. But Pac-12 road games at Utah, Arizona State, Oregon, Cal and Washington are potential obstacles.
14. Washington Huskies
2018 record: 10-4, 7-2 Pac-12
Outlook: Washington won at least 10 games and played in a New Year's Six bowl for the third straight season. It also won a Pac-12 title for the second time in three seasons. But coach Chris Petersen is going to have yeoman's work heading into 2019.
The Huskies' defense was among the best in the FBS this past season, but they have to replace all but two starters. The entire starting defensive line is leaving, as well as Burr-Kirven, who had nearly 100 more tackles than any other Washington player.
The Huskies are also losing Browning, a four-year starter and the school's career leader in passing yards and touchdown passes, and Gaskin, who had more than 1,000 rushing yards in four straight seasons. Former Georgia transfer Jacob Eason sat out this past season under NCAA transfer rules and should be in line to take over at quarterback.
The Huskies play four of their first five games at home in 2019, and they'll get to play Pac-12 opponents USC, Oregon, Utah and Washington State in Seattle.
18. Utah Utes
2018 record: 9-5, 6-3 Pac-12
Outlook: A flurry of turnovers in the second half of a 31-20 loss to Northwestern in the San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl sent Utah into the offseason on a sour note. It was Utah coach Kyle Whittingham's second loss in 13 bowl games.
The Utes played without quarterback Tyler Huntley, who was recovering from a broken collarbone, and leading rusher Zack Moss, who was out with a knee injury. Redshirt freshman Jason Shelley started five games in Huntley's absence and showed glimpses of promise. They'll battle for the job this spring.
Utah will have to replace two starting offensive linemen, but everybody else on offense is expected back. Whittingham is also searching for a new offensive coordinator.
The Utes lose only four starters on defense, but they're the top four leading tacklers: Hansen (114 tackles, 22 for loss), Barton (108 tackles), Ballard (60) and Blair (50).
I would bet on a rematch in the PAC 12 championship.
Oregon should have been way better this year. Can't imagine they break through with that schedule next year. They do shit like cry and lose focus when they get down on the road.
Chances are that a 7-1 wazzu rolls into husky stadium with the he PAC 12 north on the line and loses 41- 7 to the 6-2 huskies. If there were only a precedent to predict this sort of thing.
9. Oregon: Combine Justin Herbert’s return with a veteran offensive line and playmakers on all levels of defense, and you’ve got the potential for a championship season. But at this point, there’s no reason to think the best team in the Pac-12 is one of the best half-dozen in the country
14. Utah: With two options at quarterback (Tyler Huntley and Jason Shelley), plenty of skill talent and a veteran defensive line, the Utes look like the best team in the Pac-12 South. If the retooled offensive line coalesces, they could be the best team in the Pac-12
17. Washington: Heavy attrition on defense points to a less-than-dominant unit, but the Huskies will remain relevant nationally if quarterback Jacob Eason, the heralded transfer from Georgia, adds a big-play dimension to the aerial game
20. Washington State: The plug-and-play Air Raid should remain effective without Gardner Minshew, and most of the line returns to protect the new starter. The Cougars lose loads of leadership on defense, however
All the way too early season rankings have Oregon taking the Pac. We are doomed!!!!!
He's not even the best QB in the state
Enough the bottom mentality already.
They were a joke when they pulled that shit under Bellotti