Pac-12 Preview: Oregon Or Stanford In The North?
By Jason Gold
Nov 23, 2013; San Diego, CA, USA; Boise State Broncos head coach Chris Petersen during the first half against the San Diego State Aztecs at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Reasons Why They Will Win: Two words: Chris Petersen. It’s not often that you lose your coach to USC and find a replacement who may actually be better than him. Well, that’s what Washington has done by replacing Steve Sarkisian with Petersen. We don’t quite know how good Petersen’s offense or overall scheme is going to work against the Pac-12; however, his Boise State teams did take down Oregon TWICE in consecutive seasons, a feat only Stanford has accomplished since 2007. Washington has talent across the board and will compete with Oregon State and the third best team in the Pac-12 north. But with questions at QB, and the loss of Bishop Sankey, do we really think UW has a chance at knocking off Oregon and Stanford? Probably not, but with Petersen a whole lot is possible in Seattle. Plus, their only true road test this season comes at Oregon. All of the other big boys have to come to them.
Reasons Why They Won’t Win: Every team in the Pac-12 north faces the daunting task of taking on Stanford and Oregon every year. Oregon has absolutely owned Washington, which will likely continue in Eugene. Stanford and Washington have played competitive games, but the edge here clearly goes to Stanford. That doesn’t even account for their home games against UCLA, Arizona State, and Oregon State, of which they’ll likely drop at least one game. Washington lost Keith Price, their starting QB, and perhaps the nations best running back in Bishop Sankey. That’s a whole lot of production to replace in one season under a new head coach. It’s going to be an uphill climb for Washington this year, but they’re building something for the future that will be able to compete against the top tier in the Pac-12.
Best Case Record: 9-3
Worst Case Record: 6-6