Too Early 2023 College Football Hot Takes: Pac 12
This conference is crumbling before our eyes and might not even exist soon. This is the last year the Pac 12 includes USC and UCLA, which is criminal and depressing but there isn’t anything we can do about it. Nevertheless, it should be a really competitive conference in 2023 with a lot of underrated teams. Let’s go over the 2023 college football hot takes in the Pac 12.
Oregon State Wins Pac 12 +1000
I know it’s a bit of a crazy take but I do genuinely believe the Pac 12 is WIDE OPEN. Oregon State won 10 games a year ago including a 30-3 beatdown over Florida in the Bowl game. The Beaves should be better this year which is the scary part. DJ Uiagalalei transferred in and even his old Clemson form would be better than what they got at quarterback last year. Oregon State won 10 games and got below average quarterback play. What happens if the light bulb finally goes off for DJ?
Oregon State lost by a field goal to USC last year and don’t even play them this year. They also get UCLA, Washington, and Utah all at home in a tough environment to play. The lone game you worry about is against Oregon but they beat the Ducks last year and have what it takes to do it again.
Oregon State ranks 5th in retuning production but the guys they bring back are important. Running back Damien Martinez is a load. Silas Bolden is just a weapon that can make plays. At these odds? I’ll take the shot.
Colorado Over 3.5 Wins
I’ll drink the Deion Kool-Aid. I don’t expect fireworks but I expect 4-5 wins. Yes, this Colorado team only won one game last year but this is literally an entire new roster. How many teams have cornerbacks like Travis Hunter and Cormani McClain? Nebraska, Colorado State, Stanford, Arizona, Arizona State, and Washington State are all winnable games. Can I get three of those with one surprise win over someone? I just need four wins. This team brought in a lot of talent and definitely think they should be improved. The line of 3.5 basically puts them in last again. I think they can do better than last.
EJ Smith is a Doak Walker Finalist
History repeats itself more than you think. Stanford will probably be terrible again but they produce productive running backs. Bryce Love and Christian McCaffrey put up monster years for the Cardinal in the past. EJ Smith will be the next surprise running back in the country and will become a finalist for the Doak Walker Award.
If you don’t know who EJ Smith is, well, he’s Emmitt Smith’s son. EJ Has a lot of talent too. Behind an awful offensive line in 2022, he averaged 6.8 yards per carry. His season was cut short due to injury but is poised for a big year in 2023. I very much expect that to be the case. He’s the only guy they have and should be involved all the time.
Dante Moore becomes the freshman phenom at quarterback
The incoming quarterback class in college football has a chance to be a game changing. When those names are available for the NFL Draft, we legit might have six studs ready to go in the first round. Dante Moore just has the clearest path to playing time. I expect to see him very early on in the season. UCLA may not compete for the conference title because of it but Moore will be an electric factory under Chip Kelly. Moore just needs to hold off Ethan Garbers and Collin Schlee for the starting job. Something I expect to happen.
Moore, a five-star out of the Detroit area, was originally headed to Oregon but flipped to UCLA. I don’t think that happens unless he’s playing this year. Most reports indicate he’s very much ready to play and has a Chip Kelly type of feel to him. Expect positive things from the true freshman quarterback.
Caleb Williams doesn’t win the Heisman
He’s the best quarterback in the country but narrative matters. Williams won the award this past year and he won’t win it again unless he surpasses his numbers from a year ago. You know, the 42-5 TD to INT ratio. It will be hard to do without Jordan Addison on the field. USC hopefully will be better defensively where that’s not needed either. A guy like Bear Alexander should help.
Archie Griffin is the only player that won the Heisman in back-to-back years way back in 1974 and 75. Don’t bet it. Odds are it won’t happen. Narrative drives this award and unless Williams walks on water (maybe possible) he won’t win the award.
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