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SALT LAKE CITY — A look at three storylines to watch in the Pac-12 this season:
1. Can Stanford live up to the expectations and be a playoff team?
Despite losing its season opener last year, Stanford was the Pac-12 favorite for much of the season. Again, the Cardinal will be a conference favorite and a viable College Football Playoff contender.
Returning running back Christian McCaffrey and the program's traditionally stout defense will propel the Cardinal to be an elite-level team, but production at quarterback and replacing three offensive linemen could put a wrinkle in Stanford's success. The Cardinal return seven starters to its defense and appear set there.
Until proven otherwise, the Cardinal are the team to beat this year. However, the team's success will likely come down to whether McCaffrey can have another Heisman-like season and if new QB Keller Chryst, who is compared to Andrew Luck, can get the offense moving the ball.
2. Who emerges from the Pac-12 South Division?
The South Division is arguably one of the toughest conference divisions in college football, or at least that's been the perception the last few seasons. Again, the South is anything but certain as any one of the teams could win the division.
UCLA is projected as the favorite with QB sensation Josh Rosen under center and a talented group of skills players, but the Bruins have yet to live up to expectations. Maybe this is the year?
USC is trying out another head coach and has one of the toughest schedules this season, including a season opener against Alabama and games at Stanford, at Utah, Oregon, at Washington, at UCLA and Notre Dame. Do well with that schedule and the Trojans are playoff bound.
Utah showed last season it has the makings of a division champ, but they have to figure out their offense before any real consideration can be made. The team's defense will continue to keep the Utes in games, but the offense will continue to be the greatest hurdle.
Arizona, Arizona State and Colorado have the makings to win the division (maybe), but have the hardest path. However, Utah was seen as one of those teams last season before being one of the conference's best teams for much of the season.
3. Is a Heisman in the Pac-12's future?
The Pac-12 may have three Heisman candidates, if not more: Stanford's Christian McCaffrey, UCLA's Josh Rosen and Oregon's Royce Freeman. But are any of them legit contenders? McCaffrey is the favorite of the group after being snubbed last season. But a new QB and new offensive line, in addition to teams scouting him as the No. 1 guy, will make it difficult for the RB to replicate last season's record-breaking all-purpose and rushing yard season.
As a freshman, Rosen had some stellar moments, but he wasn't consistent, as would be generally expected from a freshman. But with a year under his belt and an understanding of the college game, Rosen could quickly move up the boards and become a Heisman favorite.
It's hard to say that anyone from Oregon has been overlooked, but Freeman may be a guy that not too many consider when talking about the Heisman. However, Freeman can put up some video game numbers. Last season he rushed for 1,836 yards and 17 touchdowns, beating his freshman season of 1,365 yards and 18 touchdowns. Freeman averages more yards per carry (6.49) than McCaffrey (5.99) and could be a strong candidate to win with another great season.
Other players in consideration: USC wide receivers JuJu Smith-Schuster and Adoree Jackson, and Washington State quarterback Luke Falk.
