The Pac-12 media thinks QB Marcus Mariota will lead Oregon to a conference title this year.
Losing Chip Kelly didn't hurt Oregon at all, according to the Pac-12 media. The Ducks were selected to win the 2013 Pac-12 title by the media at Pac-12 Media Day, today in Los Angeles. The ascendant UCLA and Stanford received first place votes but were not strong enough candidates for the media to select. Oregon received 15 of the 26 first place votes to clinch the Pac-12 North Division, and they garnered 14 of 25 votes to win the Pac-12 Championship. Stanford came in second to Oregon in both categories, with 11 first place votes to win the North and eight votes to win the Pac-12 title. Oregon has been picked to win the Pac-12 for the third time in four years, two of which – 2010 and 2011 – they went on the win the conference.
UCLA are the media's pick to win the Pac-12 South this year. The Bruins barely beat Arizona State by two first place votes to win the South, and the three votes went towards a UCLA Pac-12 title. Last year's preseason No. 1 USC came third in the South Division voting with only four first place votes out of 26. But a season without expectations have been historically good to Lane Kiffin, who will be interesting to watch, especially if his team starts losing. The year that the Trojans went 10-2, no one expected a thing out of South Central L.A. Maybe this year will mimic that, but I definitely think the Pac-12 media should have had the opportunity to vote on how many weeks it takes Kiffin to get fired, if at all.
With this voting breakdown, the Pac-12 title and a trip to the Rose Bowl comes from the North. With USC not playing Oregon this year already, the Oregon- Stanford game on Nov. 7 becomes the most important game of the season in the Pac-12. USC, UCLA and apparently Arizona State will all clamor for a chance to face Oregon or Stanford in the Pac-12 Championship game, but the winner of the North will be the de facto champion before that conference title game is even played.
Here are the complete voting results, via GoDucks:
NORTH DIVISION
1. Oregon (15)…………… 145
2. Stanford (11)…………. 139
3. Oregon State…………… 95
4. Washington…………….. 84
5. California………………… 47
6. Washington State……… 33
SOUTH DIVISION
1. UCLA (12)…………….. 135
2. Arizona State (10)…… 130
3. USC (4)………………… 117
4. Arizona ………………….. 76
5. Utah……………………… 60
6. Colorado…………………. 28
PAC-12 TITLE GAME CHAMPION: Oregon (14 votes)
Others receiving votes: Stanford (8), UCLA (3)
