SB Nation Chicago: All Posts by Avinash Kunnath

Pac-12 Football Position Rankings

2013-06-19T19:39:01Z

Who are the best Pac-12 players by position and the best Pac-12 team units by position?

Starting this week, we are going to be ranking the top Pac-12 players at every position, or at least unit beginning with quarterbacks this week.

1. Marcus Mariota So. Oregon

Very close here between Mariota and Brett Hundley, but Mariota has a better passer rating, more passing touchdowns with fewer interceptions, ran for far more yards and gets sacked a fraction of what Hundley does and plays for the better team. Mariota had one of the best seasons a freshman quarterback has ever had in college football, is fast, savvy and perfect in Oregon's offense. If all goes right in 2013, Mariota could easily be a serious Heisman and Pac-12 Player of the Year candidate.

2. Brett Hundley So. UCLA

If it weren't for Mariota, Hundley easily would have had the best freshman season for a quarterback in Pac-12 history in 2012. Hundley led the conference in passing yards, threw for nearly 30 touchdowns and ran for nine while leading UCLA to their best season in years and a South Division championship. Hundley has far and away the best physical tool set of any quarterback in the conference and maybe of any in the country with his arm, speed and size and could easily be a Top 10 draft pick in the coming years.

3. Taylor Kelly Jr. Arizona State

Kelly quietly had a huge season and was a big part of the reason why the Sun Devils competed for the South Division title. Kelly threw for more than 3,000 yards and nearly 30 touchdowns in 2012, but was also a deceptively adept runner as he racked up more than 500 yards on the ground. Kelly loses most of his best receivers from 2012, but his crafty style and playmaking abilities should easily keep him among the best quarterbacks in the conference.

4. Kevin Hogan So. Stanford

It took Hogan a while to beat out Josh Nunes last year, but when he did, it took the Cardinal to another level. It's strange that it took Hogan so long to beat out Nunes because he has all of the tools to be an All-American type quarterback with size, speed and nerves of steel that were present last year in their upset of Oregon, the Pac-12 Championship Game and the Rose Bowl. There are other returning quarterbacks in the conference who might have more experience and stats than Hogan, but I think he has a huge ceiling and has a great system around him.

5. Keith Price Sr. Washington

This seems very high for a quarterback who seems to be hated by most of his team's fanbase, but this is where Price belongs, though I would say that there is a large chasm between him and Hogan. Price had a decent statistical season in 2012, but didn't perform well when the Huskies needed him to and suffered from an abysmal pass-blocking offensive line and a thin receiving corp. However, if the Husky line can stabilize and a couple young receivers develop, Price could return to being one of the best quarterbacks in the conference.

6. Sean Mannion Jr. Oregon State

Okay, Mannion hasn't won the starting job yet, but a lot of that has to do with the fact that Cody Vaz is a good quarterback too. Mannion was actually one of the hottest quarterbacks at the beginning of 2012, but started to struggle with interceptions even before he got hurt and then started to develop a loose cannon. I expect Mannion to ultimately beat out Vaz and if he can get his interceptions under control, he could go back to being considered one of the best quarterbacks in the conference.

7. Connor Halliday Jr. Washington State

Halliday is kind of like a more lanky Mannion. When hot, he can rack up yards and touchdowns as well as anyone in the conference but he is very prone to throwing wild picks and got beat out last year by a guy who was a little bit more consistent. Halliday looks to have the reins to Mike Leach's offense all to himself now with Jeff Tuel gone and he assuredly will put up lots of yards and touchdowns, but the big question will be whether or not he can shave off some of the interceptions.

8. Cody Vaz Sr. Oregon State

Vaz was very good in filling in for Mannion when he was injured last season and then when he became erratic and he still very well could win the starting job or at least see significant time in 2013. Vaz isn't as flashy, but is more consistent than Mannion as he threw only three interceptions to 11 touchdowns in 2012 though he did struggle in the Alamo Bowl.

9. B.J. Denker Sr. Arizona

Denker is another guy who hasn't quite solidified his starting spot, but it sounded like he somewhat surprisingly outplayed junior college transfer Jesse Scroggins in Arizona's spring practices. Denker had a huge game last season when filling in for Matt Scott against Colorado, but keep in mind that it was Colorado. However, I think that Rich Rodriguez' system makes it easy for quarterbacks to succeed, especially when they can hand the ball off to a guy like Ka'Deem Carey.

Cody Kessler So. USC

Like a lot of others guys in this vicinity, he hasn't grabbed the starting job yet, but looks to have the inside track. It was a tight race this spring between Kessler, Max Wittek and Max Browne, but Kessler had the best spring game, so I imagine that he is the leader for the meantime. Wittek was far from great in limited duty in 2012, but if Kessler is in fact a little bit better than him then this is probably where he belongs, though he has a huge chance to excel because he can throw to Marqise Lee and Nelson Agholar.

Max Wittek So. USC

I could easily see Kessler, Wittek or even Browne end up starting and if Kessler gets it, then Wittek is still right at his heels. Wittek has a big arm and if he can improve his mid and short game, he might have the most potential of any of the USC quarterbacks.

Travis Wilson So. Utah

Yes, Wilson has started a lot more games than a lot of the guys ahead of him on this list and he has some good potential, but he was mainly ineffective in the time that he had last season and has very, very limited tools to work with on offense in 2013. I really like Wilson's potential, size and athleticism, but I think it will at least be another year or two before he is a good Pac-12 quarterback.

Others considered

Zach Kline Fr. Cal

Max Browne Fr. USC

Jesse Scroggins Jr. Arizona

Connor Wood Jr. Colorado

Pac-12 TV Revenue Payouts Leaked

2013-06-18T06:06:43Z

The Pac-12 is going to pay out over the next few years. Jon Wilner:

The source of the data you’re about to read is a confidential email from commissioner Larry Scott to the league’s presidents and chancellors.

It’s dated May 1, 2011, a few days before the conference announced the $3 billion, 12-year deal with Fox and ESPN.

...

Here are the payouts:

2013: $185,000,000 million

2014: $194,250,000 million

2015: $204,540,000 million

2016: $215,060,000 million

2017: $226,140,000 million

2018: $237,780,000 million

2019: $250,020,000 million

2020: $262,900,000 million

2021: $276,420,000 million

2022: $290,660,000 million

2023: $305,620,000 million

2024: $321,340,000 million

Currently the annual payouts look like the following.

Pac-12: $250 million ($20.83 million per school)

Big Ten: $248 million ($20.67 million)

Big 12: $200 million ($20 million)

ACC: $240 million ($17.14 million)

SEC: $205 million ($14.64 million)

Notre Dame: $15 million

So the Pac-12 should stay firmly ahead in the game for most of the near future.

2013 Pac-12 championship odds: Oregon & USC favored to meet up

2013-06-17T22:52:24Z

Despite getting upset in Eugene a year ago, Oregon is still getting all the love from the books with regards to their preseason conference title hopes. The Ducks soar past Stanford, UCLA, USC and all the other conference contenders as the number one choice to win the Pac-12 in 2013.

Pac-12 champion odds via 5Dimes: Oregon +235, USC +485, ASU +575, Arizona +675, Stanford +725, UCLA, Oregon State & Washington +825
— Pacific Takes (@PacificTakes) June 17, 2013

Oregon is going to get all the love from here until forever from the books. The Ducks are probably the most popular team in college football and will receive plenty of public money, so it's no surprise the Ducks are heavily favored over everyone else.

USC is probably going to have a tough time recovering form and winning what is looking like a highly competitive Pac-12 South. But the Trojans retain a slight edge over the remainder of their Southern brethren, I'm guessing mainly because of the name recognition. USC has plenty of talent strewn across their roster but has to figure out who's starting at quarterback before they can consider themselves favorites.

Arizona State and Arizona both showed signs of improvement and seem ready to take the next step in 2013, and the odds reflect that.

What is surprising is how low both Stanford (5th) and UCLA (6th) rank on the totem pole in the overall futures. The Cardinal are returning a good deal of their team back (particularly on defense) and they host Oregon. The Bruins offense should be able to continue their uptick with many of their offensive weapons back. But with both teams losing their running workhorses, they aren't the favorites to rematch in the title game.

Oregon State and Washington are dark horses to claim the Pac-12 North, and they are the last teams to be given any sort of shot at winning this thing. The Huskies seem to be a team set to make a move and the Beavers were arguably the third best team in the conference last season. No one is giving Washington State, Cal, Utah or Colorado much of a chance, so expect an eight team race for the Pac-12 crown.

Here are the odds from 5Dimes.

Pac-12 2013 champion

Oregon +235
USC +485
ASU +575
Arizona +675
Stanford +725
UCLA +825
Oregon State +825
Washington +825
Utah +2100
California +3700
Washington State +5100
Colorado +11000

Pac-12 North 2013 champion

Oregon +120
Stanford +385
Oregon State +410
Washington +410
California +1500
Washington State +2000

Pac-12 South 2013 champion

USC +240
Arizona State +270
Arizona +320
UCLA +375
Utah +800
Colorado +4000

Cal Men's Basketball 2012-13 Video Highlights

2013-06-17T19:57:45Z

Relive the memories of a memorable Golden Bear campaign.

Happy Father's Day From Sonny And Spike Dykes!

2013-06-16T23:04:35Z

Cal's new head coach definitely comes from good coaching roots.

Cal Football Reps at Pac-12 Media Day: Bryce Treggs & Nick Forbes

2013-06-12T20:50:28Z

Sonny Dykes is doing his best to clean up the image of the Cal football program. The campaign will start in full earnest at Pac-12 Media Day at the end of July, where he'll be representing the Golden Bears.

Honored to be representing my team at PAC 12 media day this year in Los Angeles. #CalGang #BearRaid #HeemTeam
— Trigga (@BryceTreggs) June 12, 2013

If Bryce has interviews half as good as the ones our student correspondent Lindsay Brauner put together, we should be in good shape (click here for Part I transcript, here for Part II transcript).

Bryce Treggs talks about his dad, the Heem Team, and more (via Lindsay Brauner)

Treggs will be joined by a fellow numero uno, this one from the defensive side of the football field.

@onelifeonemic the other #1. Nick Forbes.
— Trigga (@BryceTreggs) June 12, 2013

CGB should be assured of having representation in Los Angeles. Berkelium97 has been attending Pac-12 Media Day for a few years now, and now we have plenty of time to prepare good questions for him to ask at the conference or at lunch.

What questions do you have for Bryce, Nick and Sonny at Pac-12 Media Day?

College Football Lines 2013, Pac-12 Edition

2013-06-07T21:50:59Z

Early college football lines were released, with all the usual subjects getting the usual favorite/underdog treatment. Oregon and Stanford are favored in all games except their head-to-head, where the Ducks get the preferential look and are favored by several points.

USC and Arizona State are next on the list and are only underdogs in a handful of games. UCLA is surprisingly further down with Washington and Arizona. Cal, Colorado, Utah and Washington State are eternal underdogs.

Here are the early lines. More breakdowns team-by-team coming at a later date.

Week 1
Washington State +11.5 at Auburn
Cal +10.5 vs. Northwestern
UCLA -15 vs. Nevada
Washington -2 vs. Boise State
Colorado +3.5 vs. Colorado State

Week 2
Washington State +21 at USC
Oregon -21 at Virginia
Arizona -17 at UNLV

Week 3
Arizona State (pick 'em) vs. Wisconsin
California +21 vs. Ohio State
USC -21.5 vs. Boston College
UCLA +6 vs. Nebraska
Oregon State +6 at Utah
Washington -11 vs. Illinois
Oregon -25 vs. Tennessee

Week 4
Oregon State -6.5 at San Diego State
Arizona State +10 at Stanford
Utah +7.5 at BYU

Week 5
USC (pick 'em) at Arizona State
Colorado +22 at Oregon State
Arizona +5 at Washington
Stanford -18.5 at Washington State
California +34 at Oregon

Week 6
UCLA -5 at Utah (Thu.)
Washington +10 at Stanford
Oregon -37 at Colorado
Arizona State +4 at Notre Dame

Week 7
Arizona +7 at USC (Thu.)
Colorado +27 at Arizona State
California +16.5 at UCLA
Stanford -13 at Utah
Oregon -14 at Washington
Oregon State -13 at Washington State

Week 8
Washington +5 at Arizona State
Utah +12 at Arizona
UCLA +10 at Stanford
Oregon State -13 at California
USC +5 at Notre Dame
Washington State +35.5 at Oregon

Week 9
Utah +18 at USC
Arizona -20 at Colorado
Stanford -3 at Oregon State
California +17 at Washington
UCLA +20 at Oregon
Arizona State -15 at Washington State

Week 10
USC +2 at Oregon State (Fri.)
Arizona -11 at California
Colorado +22 at UCLA

Week 11
Oregon -4 at Stanford (Thu.)
UCLA +4 at Arizona
USC -17 at California

Week 12
Washington +2 at UCLA (Fri.)
Oregon State +4.5 at Arizona State
Washington State +19 at Arizona
Stanford +1 at USC
Utah +28.5 at Oregon

Week 13
Oregon -12 at Arizona
Cal +22 at Stanford
Arizona State +3 at UCLA
USC -24.5 at Colorado
Washington +5 at Oregon State

Week 14
Washington State +14 at Washington
Oregon State +16 at Oregon
Arizona +5 at Arizona State
Notre Dame +5.5 at Stanford
UCLA +7 at USC

Pac-12 Network: More Original Programming In 2013

2013-06-07T17:00:05Z

The Pac-12 Network didn't have a huge operating budget to work with in its first season of operation in San Francisco, so naturally there wasn't a lot of emphasis put on original programming. Focus was rightly placed on broadcasting the sporting events that would attract a lion's share of the attention.

That'll change in the 2013 season. More original programming is on the way.

Football year-round. Every week there will be a show dedicated to Pac-12 football, airing weekly on Sunday nights. Usually Pac-12 Rewind took up this spot during the football regular season where they recapped the games from the previous day, but it seems the coverage will be more dedicated starting this fall. Expect more coach and player profiles, more video coverage, more everything.
There will be a show each week dedicated to Olympic coverage. It'll be interesting to see how they compress all the sports into a one hour show. One can only hope they do it Wide World of Sports style.
Expect 200 more events (550 to 750), which could mean that the national and regional feeds start diversifying in what they end up broadcasting.

Also, more Rick Neuheisel in a multi-year exclusive deal. This should be great news to the millions of Neuheisel fans storming the streets of San Francisco as we speak (He is really good on television though, so this is a no-brainer for the conference).

All in all, expect the Pac-12 Network to star to take on more of a distinctive personality in year two, particularly with more