Summer and schoolusually don’t mix too well, but in this instance, it’s an ideal time to take a look at the college football landscape.
We continue the week closest to Pac-12 alums Ryan Leaf and Max Meyer’s hearts, and they gives out their favorite Pac-12 win totals to go under.
LEAF: UCLA Under 8.5 Wins (-105)
“You just can’t expect to replace a 5-year starter at QB in Dorian Thompson-Robinson and have the same efficiency on offense. I don’t know what the Bruins’ identity is heading into the season, and this could be a transition year with their sights on the Big Ten.”
MEYER: Oregon Under 9.5 Wins (-135)
Bo Nix had his best collegiate season in his first year in Eugene, throwing 29 touchdowns and rushing for 14 more. Oregon’s offensive coordinator Kenny Dillingham left this offseason to be Arizona State’s offense coordinator, and that’s a big deal for Nix. Dillingham recruited Nix to Auburn, and Nix had a very encouraging freshman year with Dillingham as OC. Dillingham then left for Florida State, and Nix didn’t progress at all in his next two seasons at Auburn.
Nix was also throwing behind one of the country’s best offensive lines last season. That group allowed a CFB-low 5 sacks, but four of those starters are gone. So is Oregon offensive line coach Adrian Klemm, who is now with the Patriots.
The Ducks had issues on defense last season, as they were only able to register 18 sacks (1.38 sacks per game ranked 123rd). It’s not like Oregon lacked talent on that side of the ball either, with four guys getting drafted. It will take a lot to replace last season’s top defensive player (Christian Gonzalez), pass rusher (DJ Johnson), tackler (safety Bennett Williams) and linebacker (Noah Sewell), even with talented recruits and transfers coming in.
