The Odyssey is not done weeping about the demise of the Pac-12. With our Midwestern roots, Rose Bowls involving the Pac-8, Pac-10 and Pac-12 are indelibly printed on our souls.
HOWEVER!!!!!!!! …………….
What a last act coming in 2023!!
In the 108th and lost year of this legendary conference, the Odyssey wonders if this will prove to be the best year ever for Pac QBs….That is a BIG comment given that the conference has given us John Elway, Warren Moon, Matt Leinart, Andrew Luck, Steve Bartkowski, Joe Roth, Aaron Rodgers, Sonny Sixkiller, Jake Plummer, Pat Haden, Gary Beban, John Brodie, Frankie Albert, Marcus Mariota, Dorian Thompson Robinson, Terry Baker, Jim Plunkett, Ryan Leaf, Drew Bledsoe……..The Odyssey could go on and on and on in naming legends but you get the idea.
One of the most earth-shattering stats of 2023 after I finished reading Phil Steele’s preseason publication: Steele lists the his all-conference picks and, in typically comprehensive manner, he lists the first four teams at each position.
Arizona’s Jayden DiLaura did NOT make the first four teams!! This is not a slight to DiLaura given who he slotted behind. DiLaura was named Freshman of the Year at Washington State before transferring to Tucson in 2022. All he did was throw for 3,685 yards and scare the hell out of defensive coordinators with his mobility and play-making ability. Although DiLaura has been criticized for trying to throw for a TD on each play, the Hawaii native is clearly one of the country’s most dangerous QB’s.
Let’s consider another Pac-12 QB who could not crack Steele’s top 4, WSU’s Cameron Ward. Ward had an incredible 2021 at Incarnate Word before deciding to sample the Palouse. In Pullman, Ward completed 64% of his passes for 3,231 yards. Consider Ward the #6 QB in the Pac!!
An incoming transfer QB at Oregon State, DJ Uiagalelei is relegated to the second tier in pre-season analysis. The heralded 5-star recruit from Clemson had some poor games, including in a 31-30 home upset loss to South Carolina, BUT the talent is still there.
Who are considered Steele’s top 4 QB’s who sent this esteemed trio to the back of the bus?
1) USC Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams
2) Washington’s Michael Penix threw for a ridiculous 4,197 yards
3) Oregon’s Bo Nix
4) Utah’s Cam Rising
The Odyssey believes DiLaura will have a better year than Nix or Rising but, regardless, the Pac-12’s 2023 curtain call rates to nothing short of epic.
