We are three weeks through the college football season and the best conference right now is the Pac-12. Remember that conference. The Conference of Champions is down to two teams starting next year. It is also the conference that had eight teams in the AP Top 25 poll last week. And that number remained the same this week in the latest AP Top 25 Football Poll. It is the most complete conference in the nation so far.
Now, everyone will say the SEC because of their run of national championships, but if you look at the teams top to bottom, the Pac-12 is the most complete conference in the land, which makes it the best conference.
Remember that old say Pac-12 After Dark? It was really a slogan people used to make fun of the conference despite the game being really good late on the East Coast. Well, now you are going to want to stay up late watching these teams. Especially USC, Colorado, Washington, Utah, Oregon, Washington State, and Oregon State.
As the conference is on its way out, there are a lot of great storylines and games. Sports is the ultimate reality TV show. The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. And what a way for the Pac-12 to go with a national championship. Now, that is a Hollywood ending. But stranger things have happened.
Again, it is early, but the fact the conference has a record of 30-6 in the first three weeks of games. That’s right you read that right six losses combined over the first three weeks is telling. After Week 1 of the season, the conference was 13-0. No other conference, not even the SEC could say that.
People were going to watch the conference because of USC, Oregon, and Washington, all of whom have Heisman Trophy candidates on them. But you would be lying to yourself if you did not think Deion Sanders played a role in the rise of the Pac-12 this season.
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There was a lot of negative talk around the conference before the season started because of teams jumping ship to other conferences. But the conference should be saying thanks to Deion Sanders because he has made Colorado relevant. Every week, we are talking about the Colorado Buffaloes. When was the last time we talked about Colorado football this much? It was probably in the 1990s.
Deion has a lot to do with this. It is The Prime Effect, as they call it. Every week, the Buffs are must-watch TV. Not to mention, the trash talk between the teams is so good. Maybe unnecessary at times. Could it get old, but the fact that every major network was in Boulder, Colorado for this week’s game tells you all you need to know about his effect on the program and the Pac-12.
Then there are the quarterbacks in the conference. Caleb Williams at USC was off this week, but he has been excellent in the first three games of the season for the Trojans. Williams is being pegged as the top pick for the 2024 NFL Draft. All eyes were on Michael Penix Jr. and Washington. He had another 400-yard game and is now the front-runner for the Heisman. He is such a different player at Washington than he was at Indiana. Penix Jr. has weapons now.
Of course, Shedeur Sanders at Colorado has thrown for over 300 yards in each of his first three games at the FBS level. Sanders continues to make history by throwing for the most passing yards in his first three games. Bo Nix in Oregon is having another good year. DJ Uiagalelei is having a solid year after transferring to Oregon St. The talent in the Pac-12 is some of the best in the nation.
Then there is the Washington State Cougars. They are trying to keep the conference alive along with the Oregon State Beavers next year. The Cougars have an “us vs. the world” mentality.
As Week 4 of the College Football season enters conference play, keep your eyes on the Pac-12. The conference is deep and so dominant outside of the conference as well. Not to mention, the teams are making sure people have not forgotten about them.
While the B10, SEC, ACC, and the Big 12 grab most of the headlines, the Pac-12 is on its own “Revenge Tour” before the conference does not exist. Those other conferences are just not as dominant anymore, especially outside of the top. Not it is the Pac-12’s time to shine before we say goodbye next season.