My Pac-12 media poll ballot
The Pac-12 has requested our ballots for the preseason media poll. Let's take a look at what I submitted.
1. Stanford – Nobody does relentlessly consistent, mind-numbing competence like coach David Shaw's Stanford Men ™.
2. Washington State – The Pac-12's most poised quarterback leads a team stocked with playmakers on offense and defense.
3. Washington – Potential to have the best defense the Pac-12 has seen in years. Would be a spot higher if the Apple Cup were in Seattle.
4. Oregon – Royce Freeman is a truly exceptional running back. But the Ducks don't have the quarterback play needed to finish higher in one of college football's most brutal divisions.
5. California – The Golden Bears weren't that good WITH the No. 1 pick in the draft at QB.
6. Oregon State – Yeah. If you care enough about college football to read this blog, you don't need this one explained.
SOUTH
1. UCLA – The Pac-12's most physically gifted quarterback is no longer a rookie. Law of Averages says the Bruins can't underperform every year.
2. USC – Can this very talented team handle a calm, uncontroversial coach?
3. Utah – Kyle Whittingham is the best coach in the South and will guide the Utes to the top of the non-LA subdivision.
4. Colorado – Slowly but surely the Buffalos have assembled some actual talent. Win a game early and the positive momentum can have CU chasing a bowl bid.
5. ASU – The factory where the Sun Devils grew their interior defensive line monsters appears to have shuttered its doors. Pour one out for more American manufacturing moving overseas.
6. Arizona – Pass.
Title: Stanford over UCLA because it's Stanford and because it's UCLA.
The official preseason media poll and all the vote totals should be made available the morning of Thursday, July 14, as Media Days begin in Los Angeles.
