Probably the most inviting and daunting points of the Pac-12’s non-conference schedules in 2022 are one and the identical.
With 11 video games towards Energy 5 opponents, together with Georgia and Florida, the convention has ample alternative for a collective present of power … or repeated shows of weak spot.
It gained’t take lengthy for the narrative to emerge: The Bulldogs and Gators loom as season openers, adopted by Oklahoma State, Mississippi State and Wisconsin on Week Two.
There are solely two matchups with BYU subsequent season however a slew towards top-tier groups from the Mountain West.
Oh, and the Pac-12 tangles with Notre Dame thrice.
Please observe: Our rating prioritizes the general power of the three opponents reasonably than merely the highest-profile matchup on a given schedule. The hardest non-conference schedules are these devoid of cupcakes.
(Hyperlinks to earlier articles on the 2022 Pac-12 season are under.)
1. Colorado
Lineup: vs. TCU (Sept. 2), at Air Power (Sept. 10), at Minnesota (Sept. 17)
Remark: A reasonably straightforward name for No. 1 on condition that CU’s most winnable recreation is (take your choose) at residence towards a Huge 12 opponent or on the highway towards a Mountain West crew that gained 10 video games final season. In different phrases, 0-3 is a definite risk.
2. Oregon
Lineup: vs. Georgia (Sept. 3, in Atlanta), vs. Jap Washington (Sept. 10), vs. BYU (Sept. 17)
Remark: The Geese carry the Pac-12 banner throughout the Mississippi as soon as once more with the not-so-neutral impartial website duel towards the defending nationwide champs (and coach Dan Lanning’s earlier employer.)
3. Utah
Lineup: at Florida (Sept. 3), vs. Southern Utah (Sept. 10), vs. San Diego State (Sept. 17)
Remark: The Utes make their first regular-season look on the nationwide stage for the reason that 2015 victory over Michigan. (Florida visits Rice-Eccles in 2023, by the way in which.) We thought-about slotting Utah into the No. 2 place, however Georgia stands as a better problem than the Gators.
4. Arizona
Lineup: at San Diego State (Sept. 3), vs. Mississippi State (Sept. 10), vs. North Dakota State (Sept. 17)
Remark: One other bruising lineup. And sure, that features NDSU, which gained the 2021 FCS nationwide title and has produced Carson Wentz and Trey Lance. For those who’re questioning: Mike Leach’s beginning quarterback final season, Will Rogers, is anticipated again for MSU within the fall.
5. Stanford
Lineup: vs. Colgate (Sept. 3), at Notre Dame (Oct. 15), vs. BYU (Nov. 26)
Remark: Good case might be made for this schedule as one of many three most tough. However Stanford visits Notre Dame each different 12 months and shouldn’t have the identical points with climate that Utah will face in The Swamp. Additionally, Colgate isn’t North Dakota State. The opener will mark Stanford’s first recreation towards an FCS opponent for the reason that 2018 season (UC Davis), which is very commendable — and completely insane.
6. Arizona State
Lineup: vs. NAU (Sept. 1), at Oklahoma State (Sept. 10), vs. Jap Michigan (Sept. 17)
Remark: In diploma of issue, ASU’s journey to Oklahoma State ranks slightly below Oregon’s date with Georgia — it’s each bit as difficult as enjoying Notre Dame or Florida on the highway. (The Cowboys gained 12 video games final season and return quarterback Spencer Sanders.) And Jap Michigan isn't any cupcake.
7. USC
Lineup: vs. Rice (Sept. 3), vs. Fresno State (Sept. 17), vs. Notre Dame (Nov. 26)
Remark: For Coliseum intrigue, we’ll take Jeff Tedford, Jake Haener and the Bulldogs over the biennial date with Notre Dame. However each video games are first-order challenges for the Trojans, who've LSU on the schedule in 2024 (in Las Vegas) after which a home-and-home collection with Mr. Lane Monte Kiffin and Ole Miss in the course of the last decade.
8. Washington State
Lineup: vs. Idaho (Sept. 3), at Wisconsin (Sept. 10), vs. Colorado State (Sept. 17)
Remark: WSU faces a Energy 5 opponent within the common season for the primary time since 2015 (Rutgers), and it’s an A-level affair, for positive. The Badgers gained 9 video games final season and must be ranked within the high 25 on the time of kickoff. Colorado State is beginning over below coach Jay Norvell, who jumped from Nevada.
9. Cal
Lineup: vs. UC Davis (Sept. 3), vs. UNLV (Sept. 10), at Notre Dame (Sept. 17)
Remark: The journey to South Bend doesn't include a return recreation in Berkeley — the Bears took the $1.9 million payday (per USA At the moment) for a one-off journey. The schedule would price a notch increased besides UNLV is a Mountain West bottom-feeder till confirmed in any other case.
10. Washington
Lineup: vs. Kent State (Sept. 3), vs. Portland State (Sept. 10), vs. Michigan State (Sept. 17)
Remark: It’s a testomony to the standard of Pac-12 schedules that a lineup that includes Michigan State and a 2021 MAC division winner (Kent State) charges this low on our board. However location issues, and the Huskies, who host Stanford to open convention play, gained’t depart Seattle till October.
11. Oregon State
Lineup: vs. Boise State (Sept. 3), at Fresno State (Sept. 10), vs. Montana State (Sept. 17)
Remark: The Beavers don’t face a Energy 5 opponent, however they've the next-best factor with two high-level Mountain West applications. Good luck within the Central Valley, the place will probably be 100 levels at kickoff and loud sufficient for 5 false-start penalties.
12. UCLA
Lineup: vs. Bowling Inexperienced (Sept. 3), vs. Alabama State (Sept. 10), vs. South Alabama (Sept. 17)
Remark: To be honest, Michigan backed out of a home-and-home collection with the Bruins in 2022-23. Additionally, we help UCLA’s determination to schedule two HBCU applications (Alabama State this 12 months, North Carolina Central subsequent 12 months). However objectively, that is the softest schedule within the convention, by far. With their convention opener at Colorado, the Bruins must be 4-0 when Washington visits on the primary day of October.
Beforehand:
— My early top-25 rankings for the 2022 season
— Counter-programming: 12 causes to get excited in regards to the Pac-12 this 12 months
— The highest storylines for the 2022 Pac-12 soccer season
— Projections for the North and South division races
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