Random observation on the eve of the 2018 season:
Pretty shameful that 5 PAC 12 teams have schedules that are ranked outside of the top 100 (which is hard to do with three top 10 teams automatically on your schedule) but only one team in the top 10 most difficult schedules.
I get playing Regional opponents but some of the teams on some of these schedules are obvious cupcakes. Trying to pad your record with anything less than mid major competition just ends up coming back to bite you in so many ways.
Damn the ACC teams know how to schedule although missing conference opponents is BS.
This might not be Cal’s year. I think the real battle in the conference is going to be from 4-9. Seven teams got NCAA bids with Wazzu going to the Sweet 16 after posting a losing record in conference play.
I would hate to be Colorado and Utah this season. The scheduling genies delivering Colorado 3 consecutive games against teams that all will be in the hunt for top two seeds plus games against what will be a hungry Cal team and Utah gets to start off that same last 5 game stretch with Stanford and ending with an $C team that unfortunately will be very good and needing a win before their annual loss to that cool team in the baby blue.
My picks for the PAC 12 with an * next to teams that I think will be dancing in November.
1. UCLA *
2. Stanford *
3. U$C *
4. Arizona *
5. Colorado *
6. Cal*
7. Washington *
8. Washington State *
9. Utah
10.Arizona State
11. Oregon
12. Oregon State
A rising tide raises all ships in the conference of champions. Good health to all this season (even $C)!