Pac-12 Football Preview: 2021 Pac-12 Football Predictions

There might not be a more wide open conference in Power 5 college football than the Pac-12. Without a team like Alabama or Clemson that is way better than everyone else, there are several teams that could realistically come away with the Pac-12 championship. And with at least one legitimate Heisman contender before the start of the season, there are some College Football Playoff hopes coming from the West in 2021.

The odds for the Pac-12 championship signify that this conference is anyone’s to win. Every single competitor in the league comes in at plus money to win the league prior to the season, with Oregon, Washington and USC being at the top of the list for those looking to make college football predictions. Here is the list of odds to win the Pac-12 championship game when the season is done.

There are a few storylines worth keeping an eye on in the Pac-12 heading into the season, especially around the title race in the conference. These storylines in particular are worth keeping an eye on, as one of the few conferences whose name matches the number of participants in the league.

Wide Open West

The biggest storyline in the Pac-12 is the fact that there are six or so teams that could win the conference championship in 2021. While Oregon, Washington and USC are the teams with the best shot according to oddsmakers, UCLA, Utah and Arizona State are firmly in the mix as well. In a league like the Pac-12, which lacks the same consistent star power as the rest of the top conferences in college football, the parity makes for a very entertaining season.

Can Anyone Run the Table?

Arguably more important than who will win the Pac-12 is whether or not a team from the league will put together a perfect season that will allow them to get into the College Football Playoff. The lack of a top-five win in conference play means that a single loss could eliminate a team from College Football Playoff contention. If Oregon loses to Ohio State in non-conference play, that could spell the end of the league’s playoff hopes, unless another contender in the league goes through the year without losing.

Can Kedon Slovis Elevate USC Again?

Kedon Slovis has a legitimate chance to win the Heisman Trophy this year, as he is set to be the best quarterback in the Pac-12 this year. And just as important as his Heisman chances will be his chance to bring USC back to national championship contention. The Trojans have yet to make the College Football Playoff, but showed signs of being a legitimate contender during last year’s shortened season. Slovis could lead them over the hump this year.

There are a couple of predictions worth making ahead of the season in the 2021 Pac-12 football season. These pertain to both the outcome of the 2021 season in the league and the College Football Playoff as well.

USC and Oregon Will Play For Pac-12 Title

As far as the end of the season in the Pac-12 is concerned, this year is going to come down to USC and Oregon. Oregon should win the Pac-12 North, with the Ohio State game likely to set them up for success later in the year. And there isn’t a school in the South division that has the quarterback play that USC does, which should see them meet up in the conference title game barring any injuries.

No Pac-12 Team Will Make the Playoff

While there is a path for a Pac-12 team to make the playoff, there isn’t a team in the conference that is going to go undefeated and make the playoff. The margin for error in this league is too small for any team to navigate their schedule without a loss. The SEC will get at least one team in, Clemson will waltz into the playoff, and Ohio State and Oklahoma are likely to rank above the winner of the Pac-12 as well. At the end of the day, the Pac-12 will spend another year outside of the playoff.