The Hotline devoted 18 hours this week to watching the related parts of each Pac-12 spring soccer recreation so as to solidify our grasp of the convention forward of the 2022 season.
Whereas we gained’t identify names, some ‘video games’ had been vastly extra instructive than others.
A couple of had been actual, old school scrimmages.
Others, not a lot.
With that, we current a quick-hitting overview of the nice, unhealthy, recognized, unknown, seemingly, doable and every little thing in between throughout the convention …
Arizona
Projected QB: Jayden de Laura (from Washington State)
Key stat: The Wildcats had been lifeless final within the FBS in pink zone landing proportion in 2021, scoring on simply 12 of 39 journeys (31 p.c).
Participant to look at: DE Jalen Harris. If Arizona doesn’t improve its stress off the perimeters, the protection gained’t make an incredible leap ahead. Harris is the important thing to that course of.
Season opener: Sept. 3 at San Diego State
Remark: The offense will likely be more practical with de Laura in cost and a slew of taller receivers, however the diploma of enchancment hinges on the offensive line. If the Wildcats can’t run the ball or shield the pocket, de Laura’s impression will likely be tremendously minimized. The entrance 5 is best, however is it ok? We stay skeptical.
Arizona State
Projected QB: Trenton Bourguet
Key stat: The quarterbacks competing for the beginning job (Bourguet, Paul Tyson and Daylin McLemore) have thrown a mixed 28 passes of their careers.
Participant to look at: S Khoury Bethley. The switch (from Hawaii) should solidify a secondary that was hit exhausting by attrition and will flip from biggest power to largest weak point.
Season opener: Sept. 1 vs. NAU
Remark: For the reason that spring recreation on April 9, the Solar Devils have misplaced three key gamers to the switch portal, together with high receiver Ricky Pearsall, leaving this system with much more questions than it had when the exercises started. Who knew an NCAA recruiting scandal and no plan for NIL would result in huge roster depletion.
Cal
Projected QB: Jack Plummer (from Purdue)
Key stat: The Bears misplaced 5 video games by a landing or much less in 2021, and in only one occasion did the opponent rating greater than 24 factors in regulation.
Participant to look at: DL Brett Johnson. Again from an vehicle accident, he might be the league’s dominant inside defensive lineman.
Season opener: Sept. 3 vs. UC Davis
Remark: The post-spring story is identical because the pre-spring story is identical because the 2021 story: Will the Bears muster sufficient offense (particularly huge performs) to win the shut video games in opposition to the highest groups? Spring scrimmages can depart false clues. No offense, however we’ll look forward to proof within the fall.
Colorado
Projected QB: Brendon Lewis
Key stat: Amongst Energy 5 groups, solely Indiana averaged fewer yards-per-play final season than the Buffaloes (4.4). The following-closest Pac-12 workforce was Arizona (4.9 ypp).
Participant to look at: WR Daniel Arias. The 6-foot-4 senior stands as CU’s greatest playmaker following key personnel losses (hiya, Brenden Rice) to the switch portal.
Season opener: Sept. 2 vs. TCU
Remark: There are questions in all places, throughout all models on either side of scrimmage, and quarterback tops the prolonged record. However we suspect the offensive line will take a small step ahead underneath the management of recent place coach Kyle DeVan. And if you can also make progress anyplace, that’s not a foul place to begin.
Oregon
Projected QB: Bo Nix (from Auburn)
Key stat: Oregon is the one workforce to win three consecutive division titles (2019-21) because the format was created in 2011.
Participant to look at: WR Troy Franklin. The Geese haven’t produced a first-team all-conference receiver within the Pac-12’s enlargement period. Franklin has the expertise to develop into the primary.
Season opener: Sept. 3 vs. Georgia (in Atlanta)
Remark: With Bradyn Swinson, Mase Funa, Justin Flowe and Noah Sewell, the Geese have one of many high linebacker/edge models within the nation. (The road seems to be stout, as properly.) If the secondary develops shortly, the protection ought to carry Oregon by way of a tough September, till the revamped offense finds its footing.
Oregon State
Projected QB: Probability Nolan
Key stat: The Beavers hoped to boost $85 million in donations to assist pay for the Reser Stadium renovation. As an alternative, they raised $91 million, in accordance with AD Scott Barnes.
Participant to look at: TE Luke Musgrave. Given the turnover within the backfield and at receiver, Musgrave might be the No. 1 choice when it’s third down and the sport’s on the road.
Season opener: Sept. 3 vs. Boise State
Remark: The Beavers allowed 18.2 factors per recreation at dwelling and 32.3 away from Corvallis. New coordinator Trent Bray plans to implement a extra aggressive fashion however will want playmakers to emerge alongside the entrance seven to execute his imaginative and prescient. That stated, the again line seems to be simply high-quality.
Stanford
Projected QB: Tanner McKee
Key stat: The Cardinal allowed 5.74 yards-per-rush final season, which was No. 122 nationally and nearly a full yard greater than another Pac-12 protection.
Participant to look at: DE David Bailey. The freshman edge rusher from prep powerhouse Mater Dei is the important thing to rekindling the move rush for a unit that recorded simply 15 sacks.
Season opener: Sept. 3 vs. Colgate
Remark: Washington State may not have the one Air Raid within the Pac-12. With McKee, a slew of high quality choices within the passing recreation and uncertainty on the bottom, the Cardinal may sling it 45 instances a recreation. Contemplating the state of the protection, it may need to attain 45 to win.
UCLA
Projected QB: Dorian Thompson-Robinson
Key stat: Not tough to pinpoint the issue in 2021: UCLA’s protection allowed 4.8 yards-per-play within the eight wins and a whopping 6.9 ypp within the 4 losses.
Gamers to look at: DE Laiatu Latu. The switch from Washington briefly retired from soccer due to a neck damage. He has as a lot uncooked expertise as any edge rusher within the convention.
Season opener: Sept. 3 vs Bowling Inexperienced
Remark: The Bruins misplaced six starters off a mediocre protection, suggesting further deterioration. However the switch portal not solely taketh away, it giveth. UCLA wants only a handful of newcomers to make a constant impression so as to stay aggressive within the South. The offense should not have any hassle scoring.
USC
Projected QB: Caleb Williams (from Oklahoma)
Key stat: Williams had 4 runs of no less than 50 yards final season, greater than any quarterback within the nation or any participant within the Pac-12.
Participant to look at: LB Shane Lee. With a lot consideration on the brand new skill-position expertise, don’t overlook Lee’s arrival. The Alabama switch ought to be the anchor of a revamped protection.
Season opener: Sept. 3 vs. Rice
Remark: For all of the hoopla over the spring recreation — anybody else irritated by ESPN’s crew continuously referring to Williams as ‘Caleb’? — we thought probably the most telling second got here when the Trojans lined up with two backs, not 5 wideouts, on third-and-one in the course of the opening drive.
Utah
Projected QB: Cam Rising
Key stat: The Utes could have the identical mixture of head coach (Kyle Whittingham) and coordinators (Andy Ludwig and Morgan Scalley) for the fourth consecutive season.
Participant to look at: WR Devaughn Vele. The previous walk-on initiatives as Utah’s high menace within the passing recreation (among the many wideouts) following a breakout season by which he averaged 16.9 yards per catch.
Season opener: Sept. 3 at Florida
Remark: The defending champs are hardly with out flaws. In reality, now we have questions on each unit besides quarterback, tailback and tight finish. However titles aren’t gained in absolutes, and Utah’s considerations are minor in comparison with the competitors. Spring ends because it started, with the Utes because the clear favourite to repeat.
Washington
Projected QB: Michael Penix (from Indiana)
Key stat: The Huskies scored 52 factors in opposition to Arkansas State however averaged 18.7 factors of their different 11 video games.
Participant to look at: DE Zion Tupuola-Fetui. His effectiveness as a move rusher off the sting is the important thing to the complete protection. With out frequent stress, the failings elsewhere will likely be uncovered.
Season opener: Sept. 3 vs. Kent State
Remark: The Huskies haven’t posted back-to-back non-winning seasons because the late 2000s, however first-year coach Kalen DeBoer faces severe challenges in his pursuit of seven victories. The offense is brief on playmakers and the standard power of the protection, the secondary, is stocked with unknowns.
Washington State
Projected QB: Cam Ward (from Incarnate Phrase)
Key stat: WSU has posted a profitable document in convention play in 5 of the previous six seasons (excluding 2020). No different program within the North can match that degree of consistency.
Participant to look at: C Konner Gomness. The offensive line carries extra questions than another unit. Gomness, in his fourth yr however solely a sophomore, is the anchor after beginning eight video games final season.
Season opener: Sept. 3 vs. Idaho
Remark: Robust to get a agency sense for Ward’s decision-making given the (deliberately) bland protection within the spring recreation. However he can transfer, has a fast launch and makes all of the throws. Additionally, he has greater than sufficient choices within the aerial recreation. All of it ought to work, if there’s sufficient time for the downfield patterns to develop.
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