12. Luke Falk, Washington State
Wazzu head coach Mike Leach is much like Rich Rodriguez, a pioneer of the infamous spread offense. The Cougars’ quarterback is the new kid on the block, only starting in the final three games last season, but is creating buzz around the conference after a comeback win at Rutgers last week, completing 47 of 66 passes for 478 yards. Not to mention the former walk-on has already thrown six touchdowns without an interception. He has potential, but playing Portland St. and Rutgers aren’t the sexy matchups that silence the critics.
11. Sefo Liufau, Colorado
The Buffaloes are the odd ones out in the Pac-12 South and if they wish to prove the doubters wrong, the junior must lift Colorado to new heights. Liufau already has one loss this season that came against Hawaii in week one. Competing in the Pac-12 South and playing Oregon to open conference play won’t be easy.
10. Jake Browning, Washington
Browning is replacing Cyler Miles and showcased his potential against Sacramento State. Browning threw for 326 yards and two touchdowns, but was sacked twice. If the hogs up front can’t protect, then Browning should get comfy on the turf.
9. Seth Collins, Oregon State
The Beavers handed Jim Harbaugh his first victory as Michigan’s head coach as Collins struggled in “The Big House.” It’s not easy replacing Sean Mannion, who’s now Nick Foles’ understudy with the Rams in St. Louis, and it’s difficult to play in a new system. The Pac-12 North is up for grabs and Collins has a chance to grab the bull by the horns.
8. Travis Wilson, Utah
Wilson was the quarterback that spoiled Harbaugh’s debut as the head coach at Michigan. Wilson will have to compete with the cream of the crop in the Pac-12 South, but the Utes have a chance to ruin at least three teams’ chances of making it to the College Football Playoff. Wilson still has yet to thrown a touchdown, but being a veteran in the conference of doom should be helpful for the Utes.
7. Mike Bercovici, ASU
The reshirt senior ending up on the back half of the list may come as a surprise, but the Sun Devils are unranked after losing their week one matchup with Texas A&M. Squeaking out a win against Cal Poly proved that the Sun Devils aren’t as good as the experts made them out to be. Yes, that includes ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit predicting the Sun Devils to make an appearance in the College Football Playoff. Bercovici threw his first pick of the year against Cal Poly and throwing an interception against a FCS program is not what championship quarterbacks do. A friendly home schedule with USC, Oregon and Arizona is in their favor so the senior still has a chance to rise a top the conference.
6. Kevin Hogan, Stanford
The fifth year senior once sat behind Andrew Luck on Stanford’s depth chart. The Cardinal are notorious for having an outstanding offensive line and if they can give the veteran leader protection up front, he should be licking his chops in the Pac-12 North. Hogan already has a Rose Bowl under his belt, however the Cardinal didn’t exceed the expectations in competing with Oregon last season. Hogan has the opportunity to bust that plateau.
5. Josh Rosen, UCLA
The young phenom probably had the best freshman debut in the Pac-12 Conference for the No. 10 ranked Bruins. Rosen threw for 351 yards and three touchdowns against Virginia. Head coach Jim Mora will have his quarterback of the future and if he can produce, then Rosen will be Mora’s job insurance. Mora put more trust in the quarterback against UNLV after the freshman had 42 passing attempts, but he only completed 22. Rosen will have his work cut out for him this season but his future is bright.
4. Vernon Adams Jr., Oregon
Adams is new to the Pac-12 after transferring from Eastern Washington. His former team showed how it felt about the transfer with a cheap shot late in the week-one game. Adams got his first taste under the big lights and failed on a last-minute attempt at Michigan State. Losing on the road early in the season to a top-five team is the best way for the Ducks to lose, as they still have plans to return to the National Championship.
3. Anu Solomon, Arizona
Wildcats fans might cringe when seeing Solomon behind two other quarterbacks, but the sophomore still has room for improvement. The offense has evolved into a run-first scheme with Nick Wilson evolving into the next Ka’Deem Carey. Solomon is healthy and will look to roll out with big targets such as David Richards and Cayleb Jones. Solomon has yet to throw an interception and already has six touchdowns. There are question marks surrounding the defense, but the Wildcats have shown they can put points on the board in a hurry.
2. Cody Kessler, USC
The Heisman hopeful will look to lead the Trojans beyond a Pac-12 Football Championship Game, just as long as Steve Sarkisian can put down the margarita. Kessler has insurance up front and being the star quarterback in Los Angeles is a lifestyle every player dreams of. In his first two starts in his final season leading the men of troy, Kessler is at a combined 45-of-57 along with seven touchdowns.
1. Jared Goff, California
The Golden Bears have former Arizona offensive coordinator Sonny Dykes leading their reins, which means another spread offense pioneer. Goff threw over 300 yards and three touchdowns against San Diego State last week and as mentioned, a down year for the Pac-12 North could mean a chance for Cal to return to those high and mighty mid-2000 days with Aaron Rodgers and Marshawn Lynch.
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