The 2015 season isn't far away; we can see the light at the end of the offseason tunnel already. It's time for a quick Pac-12 knowledge refresher.
Here's how we do this. Every day features a new position group. We provide three categories and place each conference team accordingly: "Great shape," "Good shape" and "We'll see."
Yesterday we examined the offensive lines in the North. Today, it's the South's turn.
GREAT SHAPE
UCLA: If you’re going to start a true freshman at quarterback, which UCLA almost certainly will, the formula for success starts with having an experienced offensive line. So, let’s see. Yeah, Josh Rosen will be fine when (if?) he lines up as the starter against Virginia on Sept. 5. Our good friend Phil Steele crunched the numbers nationally and determined the Bruins have more career starts among their returning offensive linemen (131) than any school in the country. LT Conor McDermott, LG Alex Redmond, C Jake Brendel, RG Caleb Benenoch and RT Simon Gaines give UCLA one of the nation’s best units.
USC: Depending on who you talk to, USC might be considered the best offensive line in the country or not even the best unit in its own city. Regardless, the Trojans are loaded. They’re so deep that coach Steve Sarkisian said he sees no reason they shouldn’t treat their offensive line like a defensive line and have players rotate through to stay fresh throughout the game. It goes against conventional football wisdom, but the Pac-12 has proved over the years that is often a good thing. At the pace Sarkisian wants to play, the benefits are easy to see. Their initial fall depth chart reads: LT Toa Lobendahn or Chad Wheeler; LG Damien Mama or Lobendahn; C Max Tuerk; RG Viane Talamaivao; RT Zach Banner.
GOOD SHAPE
Arizona State: Between left guard Christian Westerman, center Nick Kelly and right guard Vi Teofilo, the Sun Devils have a good starting point, but need to replace left tackle Jamil Douglas, a fourth-round pick to Miami, and right tackle Tyler Sulka. The progress of Evan Goodman, assuming he locks down the left tackle job, could ultimately decide how this unit fares.
Utah: Jeremiah Poutasi is a significant loss at left tackle, but the Utes should still be in good shape with J.J. Dielman switching over to protect Travis Wilson’s blindside. Center Siaosi Aiono is an honors candidate with 20 starts under his belt and will play between guards Leka Uhatafe and Isaac Asiata. Sam Tevi will enter camp as the starter at right tackle, but the former defensive lineman isn’t a lock to hold onto the job.
WE'LL SEE
Arizona: It’ll be a little strange to see the Wildcats without Mickey Baucus and Fabbians Ebbele book-ending the offensive line, as they did for the last four seasons, but the roster has been constructed well enough over the past few years for Rich Rodriguez to be optimistic about who’ll step in. Cal transfer Freddie Tagaloa should be a rather seamless transition for Baucus at left tackle -- he’s a good player who just wasn’t in the right situation once Jeff Tedford was out in Berkeley. Line Maiava, an experienced fifth-year senior, will start opposite him. LG Cayman Bundage and RG Jacob Alsadek return in starting roles, while center is unsettled headed into camp.
Colorado: There are only two vacant starting jobs following the departures of guards Kaiwi Crabb and Daniel Munyer, but the Buffs still have a lot to prove. Junior center Alex Kelley, left tackle Jeromy Irwin and right tackle Stephane Nembot all return after experiencing varied levels of success. For Colorado to take a step forward, it needs to make bigger strides on defense, but a more physical presence up front on offense also is a must.
