Spring camp is underway as the Pac-12 experiences a season of change across the league. There are new head coaches at the three biggest jobs in the league (Oregon, USC and Washington), and first-year Trojans coach Lincoln Riley suddenly gives West Coast football a new face.
While the Pac-12 has not put a team into the College Football Playoff since 2016, the league’s middle class is quietly growing. Oregon State and Utah had breakout seasons, while UCLA and Washington State seem ripe for ones themselves. Even bad situations at Arizona and Colorado added some juice through the transfer portal. Ultimately, the answers to these questions could decide the Pac-12 title.
Here is the biggest question mark facing each Pac-12 team during spring camp.
Arizona
How quickly can new additions create an impact?: The Wildcats went 1-11 in a disastrous first season under Jedd Fisch, but Arizona was not deterred. After the miserable season, Fisch turned around and pulled in the Pac-12’s No. 2 high school recruiting class and No. 5 transfer class to completely transform the roster.
The additions are desperately needed; Arizona ranked near the bottom of the Pac-12 in nearly every category. The Wildcats failed to produce a 2,000-yard passer or a 500-yard rusher, and the lone 500-yard receiver left for the NFL Draft. The program needs quarterback transfer Jayden de Laura (ex-Wazzu), receiver Jacob Cowing (ex-UTEP) and other new additions to make immediate impacts.
Arizona State
Can the Sun Devils weather the storm?: Few programs have gone through the chaos that Arizona State has over the past two seasons. As a result of multiple NCAA recruiting violations during the COVID-19 pandemic, half of Herm Edwards’ staff is gone and several key contributors entered…
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