Checking in on the Pac-12 South

If you didn’t hear the cheers of victory, feel the tears of joy, or taste from the fountain of celebration, let me enlighten you: On Saturday, September 24th, 2016, the Buffs held on to beat the once-mighty Ducks and proclaimed to the world that Colorado football is back.

The Rise coincides with precipitous drops with the Pac-12 South division, so there’s a very real chance (still not that great) that Colorado wins the division and earns a spot in the Pac-12 Championship.

If I would have told you that before the season, you would have said, "The Buffs must be playing the best football we’ve seen since 2001 while the rest of the division simultaneously collapses. And Chidobe Awuzie must be on his way to the Thorpe Award."

To which I would respond, "Yeah, basically."

It’s time to break down Colorado’s Pac-12 South competition with various media. Onward!

Here’s what the Pac-12 standings look like. We’ll look at each team in descending order.

USC

USC’s season in one picture:

Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports

The Trojans’ pass defense has so many holes you’d think it was made of rubber.

The Trojans’ run defense is so thin, it breaks at the first moment of penetration.

The Trojans’ best offense is a kick return. That’s not a joke.

UCLA

UCLA’s season in one picture:

Quarterback Josh Rosen is starting to look like a freshman, their running game is looking so-so, and their defense is mediocre. It’s a miracle that Christian McCaffrey didn’t torch the Bruins every time he touched the ball.

Arizona

Arizona’s season in one image:

I’m so sorry, that was the wrong picture. I don’t know how that happened. The refs missed an obvious call that was right in front of their eyes.

Okay, here’s Arizona’s season in one image:

I’m so sorry, I don’t what my problem is. It’s just one of those days I guess. But seriously, that game wasn’t even ten minutes in and he was that sweaty. Gross.

Last try:

Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

You get the point, I think. Arizona hasn’t been very good this year, especially at football. Their offense could only score 16 points on BYU and scored only 3 points in the first half against Grambling State.They put up a hell of a fight at home against Washington but still ended up on the wrong side of the scoreboard. That would be survivable if they were good at defense, but they’re not.

Arizona State

Arizona State’s season in one image:

Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Barely clearing their hurdles, so close to disaster, only time will tell when Sun Devils finally crash to the earth. But seriously, if you think USC and Arizona are bad on defense (they are), you should see how easily opposing quarterbacks tear apart this ASU defense.

Utah

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Utah is pretty good, actually. The other thing stopping the Utes from the Pac-12 South crown are injuries and a November 26 matchup with the Buffs.