College football preview: 2015 Pac-12 South -- Is USC back on top?

In the first four Pac-12 title games, the north representative has won by 18, 3, 24 and 38 points.

In 2015, the Pac-12 South could have its best chance at finally claiming the conference championship.

The most popular pick is USC, which has already been touted widely as a potential top-10 team despite Steve Sarkisian’s good-not-great debut last fall. There are many reasons for this, not least of which is the power of the Trojan brand — which has remained strong even through NCAA sanctions and UCLA’s rise across town.

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Star power helps too. In a conference undergoing significant turnover behind center, USC returns Cody Kessler’s 3,826 passing yards and 36 touchdowns. Su’a Cravens is a defensive star, and Adoree’ Jackson can do just about everything else.

But the division should offer plenty of competition. The Bruins returns 10 offensive starters, and a talented albeit unproven quarterback in true freshman Josh Rosen. Arizona State’s Mike Bercovici already has big plays on his resume, including a Hail Mary over USC. And Arizona is coming off just its second 10-win season in program history.

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COACH WHO MUST WIN

Mike MacIntyre needed just three years to turn San Jose State into a top-25 team. He’s having much more trouble doing the same at Colorado. The Buffaloes have beaten just one Pac-12 opponent in their last 18 tries, although they forced both Cal and UCLA to double overtime last season. That Colorado has only signed one four-star recruit since it hired MacIntyre in December 2012 further clouds the coach’s long-term future in Boulder.

BIGGEST IMPACT FRESHMAN

Jim Mora revived UCLA more quickly than anyone expected, but he also had a talented quarterback to lean on in Brett Hundley. As durable as anyone in college football, the eventual fifth-round pick didn’t miss start in three years. Can Josh Rosen keep the “Bruin Revolution” going? The five-star recruit looked as good as advertised in spring camp, though growing pains certainly await the true freshman. Still, no first-year player is in as great a position to affect the division.

KEY EARLY SEASON INDICATOR

Will anyone emerge as an early division favorite? Utah’s season opener Michigan two days later could provide an early clue, as will Arizona State’s game against Texas A&M two days later. USC has a Week 3 date with Stanford, which will end as UCLA kicks off against BYU. While only one of those games is in-conference, they should all provide a clearer picture of the Pac-12 South pecking order.

RETURNING ALL-PAC-12 SELECTIONS

First Team

ASU LB Scooby Wright, Jr.

UCLA DB Ishmael Adams, Jr.

USC C Max Tuerk, Sr.

USC LB Su’a Cravens, Jr.

Utah RB Devontae Booker, Sr.

Utah K Andy Phillips, Jr.

Utah P Tom Hackett, Sr.

Second Team

Arizona P Drew Riggleman, Sr.

ASU C Nick Kelly, Sr.