2011 is the dawn of a new day in the PAC 10, er make that the PAC 12. With the addition of Colorado (formerly of the Big 12) and Utah (formerly of the Mountain West) the new look conference adds two teams with rich traditions and now possesses enough teams to conduct a conference title game. Below is the breakdown of how I think each team will finish the season in each division.

North Division
Oregon- Assuming the NCAA drags its investigation of the Ducks for potential recruiting violations into next year I see them picking up where they left off last season. Chip Kelly’s, who is the focus of the NCAA probe, offense will stay a few steps ahead of everyone else and the Ducks should cruise to another conference championship.

Stanford- Despite losing head coach Jim Harbaugh, the Cardinal will benefit from the return of QB Andrew Luck, last year’s Heisman runner up.

Oregon State- The Beavers lose Jaquizz Rogers but older brother James returns as a homerun threat every time he touches the ball.

Washington- The Huskies have to break in a new QB for the first time in 4 years.

California- Coach Tedford finds himself on the hot seat right out of the gate this year.

Washington State- Every conference needs a cellar dweller. The PAC 12 has Wazzu.

South Division
Arizona- After losing their final 5 games, including the Alamo Bowl, the Wildcats have an awful taste to wash out of their mouths from 2010. They will benefit from a wide open division and should represent the South in the PAC 12 title game.

USC- Remember these guys? Yes they’re down, but there’s still enough talent on this roster to win eight games.

Colorado- After five straight losing seasons, the Buffaloes start with a clean slate in a new conference. New head coach Jon Embree played at Colorado as did many of his assistants. Those that didn’t play in Boulder spent time as an assistant there previously except for QB coach Rip Scherer.

Utah- The other new kid on the block will now have a legitimate shot at a BCS bowl every season in their new digs. As I stated above, the PAC 12 South is a wide open division the Utes, with a little help from an upset here or there, could find themselves playing for the conference title at the end of the regular
season.

Arizona State- The ASU administration might be forced to fire Dennis Erickson if he doesn’t come up with a winning season. Surprisingly ASU has popped up on a couple preseason top 25s. Anything less than a bowl birth and Erickson finds himself in an unusual place for him, being told to leave before he has found another job to jump to.

UCLA- Bruins coach Rick Neauheisel is probably on the hottest seat this side of Hades. Coach Neau holdsa law degree which may come in handy cause when he took his stated “dream job” he stated his desire as this being his last stop in his coaching career.