michaeljordan_fan
Well-Known Member
I think the Oregon/Ohio State game will give us a pretty good measuring stick for where the top portion of the Pac 12 is. Not saying the Ducks will be the best. Could be USC, could be UW, could be ASU, maybe Utah's got more than I think they do, whatever.
Ohio State isn't going to have a friendly warm up game prior to hosting the Ducks. They're going to play at a Minnesota team that has its real offensive line back, the same one that humbled Auburn 2 years ago when MN finished top 10. 2 of those guys, the ones who are thought to be 1st or 2nd day draft picks, opted out last year. It's the same people that have been around forever, and they're fucking enormous. Blaise Andries seems like he should be pushng 25 or 30 by now but has 2 years left. Morgan was #5 in passer rating in 2019 behind Burrows, Tua, Hurts and Fields. Ibrahim is probably the best RB in the B1G. If MN has patched together a defense by now after losing their entire 2019 front 7, tOSU is going to be in a brawl.
Now, to be clear- Ohio State is going to win. They'll pull away. They'll probably win by 2+ scores when it's all said and done. The talent will eventually speak, but I think they're going to be pretty battered and bruised going into Oregon. If Oregon can be competitive or pull off the upset (which I doubt, I don't think they have the offensive firepower) in Columbus, I think it will tell a lot about the Pac 12's talent level. There are some squads that can hang. Whoever comes out on top should be under consideration unless everyone cannibalizes each other and the winner is 9-3.
Eh, it'll tell a lot about Oregon's talent level...not necessarily the PAC-12's. Oregon continues to be the most talented team in the conference.