Two marquee programs in the Pac-12 will embark on their swan song throughout the West this fall. UCLA and USC are leaving at season's end to join the Big 10, a move that'll surely result in a lot more flight time - and money (because nothing else matters in college athletics, right?).
Colorado announced Thursday it was joining the Big 12 following this season, leaving the future of the Pac-12 as uncertain as any conference in the country.
The "Conference of Champions" could soon be evaporated depending on a variety of factors, including the decision to expand and the upcoming media rights deal.
While Pac-12 teams have come close to making the playoff in recent years, it's fair to assume they'll be on the outside looking in once again.
This is the final Power 5 conference win total breakdown. Get caught up with the Big Ten, ACC, SEC, and Big 12 best bets.
Pac-12 win totals
| Team | Win total |
|---|---|
| USC | 10 |
| Oregon | 9.5 |
| Washington | 9.5 |
| UCLA | 8.5 |
| Oregon State | 8.5 |
| Utah | 8.5 |
| Washington State | 6.5 |
| California | 5.5 |
| Arizona | 5 |
| Arizona State | 4.5 |
| Colorado | 3.5 |
| Stanford | 2.5 |
Arizona under 5 wins
Coach Jedd Fisch made a massive leap from a one-win first season to a five-win campaign in Year 2. But don't expect another jump this season.
Arizona overachieved last season relative to its roster's talent. The Wildcats upset a ranked UCLA team and had narrow victories over North Dakota State and rival Arizona State.
That's not to say Arizona's five wins weren't deserved - they just aren't a good indicator of the team's competence, which will likely lead to a slide this season.
Arizona's pitiful defense allowed 36.5 points per game last season, which ranked 126th in the country. Despite a massive defensive overhaul, it's still projected to be one of the conference's worst.
Led by quarterback Jayden de Laura, Arizona has the returning pieces to be a highly productive offense. But that won't be enough to get back to five wins, especially in a conference full of potent offenses.
Arizona has a difficult schedule that features a nonconference game against Mississippi State and contests against USC, UCLA, Washington, Oregon State, Utah, and others. The Wildcats are projected favorites in four of their 12 games.
Arizona would have to pull off a major upset for the second straight year to get to five wins. Securing a sixth to earn bowl eligibility might be as hard as finding the Pac-12 on TV in a few years.
Pick: Arizona under 5 wins -120
Oregon State over 8.5 wins
Oregon State is coming off its first 10-win season since 2006 and a Las Vegas Bowl win. Regression may be inevitable for a program rarely in conference contention, but not as much as you might think. The Beavers have the pieces to put together another special season.
They had an elite offensive line last season that fueled a terrific running game. Four of the five starting offensive linemen are back this year, as is running back Damien Martinez, the Pac-12 Offensive Freshman of the Year.
Clemson transfer DJ Uiagalelei is expected to be the starting quarterback, although his spot isn't guaranteed. Uiagalelei headed west after a disappointing stint as the successor to Trevor Lawrence. With less pressure away from the national spotlight, Uiagalelei has a chance for redemption.
Oregon State ranked first in the Pac-12 in total defense last season. Despite losing notable players in the secondary, there won't be a major drop-off in defensive production.
The Beavers' nonconference calendar is a cakewalk, and their conference road matchups are against Washington State, Arizona, Colorado, and Oregon. Except for Oregon, those teams are projected to finish near the bottom of the Pac-12.
Oregon State does play Utah and Washington, but both must travel to Reser Stadium in games with a spread sure to be separated by just a few points.
The path to double-digit wins is there, but the Beavers just need to win nine games to cash this over at plus money.
Pick: Oregon State over 8.5 wins +120
Sam Oshtry is a sports betting writer at theScore. You can follow him on Twitter @soshtry for more betting coverage
