NCAA Football 14: Picking A Dynasty Team - PAC 12 - jmik58's Blog

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jmik58's Blog

NCAA Football 14: Picking A Dynasty Team - PAC 12

Posted on July 8, 2013 at 10:27 AM.

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The PAC-12 may challenge the SEC as the conference with the most well-rounded programs in the nation in '13.

The rotation of planet Earth doesn't provide many favors to teams from the PAC-12 in regard to national exposure. When most of the country is already asleep, football squads from the West are performing in prime time. Boxscores and highlights don't always tell the story, but that's how most of us process the football played during our dreams.

But like a summertime foreign language class, the best way to learn something we may never quite appreciate is to totally immerse ourselves in it. To know the PAC-12 is to be in the PAC-12. Are they trying to be the SEC with all of these 3-4 schemes on defense? Or maybe the rest of the nation could learn a thing from them.

Besides the defenses and wide array of offensive styles, you have the flavor-of-the-day aesthetics of the Oregon Ducks. What's more flashy, their uni's or their offense? Then there's the NFL factor of USC followed closely by Stanford. Still not satisfied? Where else can you be a Beaver, Buffalo, or Bear -- or Bruin if you prefer? If you're not quite sure what a Sun Devil is or the significance of a Ute, there's only one way to find out.

Whatever your reason for playing dynasty mode, there's a perfectly good parallel program out west. Cut your bias and allegiances and jump in with the PAC-12, but first take a look at what each squad has to offer on the gridiron.

North Division

California Golden Bears
Offense: Multiple (HB, 4 WR)
Defense: 4-3

(+) New coach and scheme (LA Tech) could mean a wide-open passing attack.
(+) LB Nick Forbes has All-Conference potential.
(-) Only five starters return on offense and a freshman QB will take the lead.
(-) A rough pass defense is hard to overlook in a conference packed with receiver talent.

Oregon Ducks
Offense: Spread (2 HB, 2 WR, TE)
Defense: Multiple 3-4

(+) De'Anthony Thomas (DAT) is electrifying with a 10 ypc average.
(+) DB's Mitchell and Ekpre-Olomu have NFL potential.
(-) QB Marcus Mariota ran the ball 752 times last year, can he stay healthy?
(-) The loss of Michael Clay and Kiko Alonso in the linebacker corps stings.

Oregon State Beavers
Offense: Multiple (HB, 3 WR, TE)
Defense: 4-3

(+) Brandon Cooks is a top-flight receiver for a balanced passing attack.
(+) DE Scott Crichton can cause chaos for opposing QB's.
(-) A majority of defensive linemen lack run-stuffing ability.
(-) Tough end of season schedule, @Arizona State and @Oregon.

Stanford Cardinal
Offense: Multiple Pro Set (2 Backs, 2 WR, TE)
Defense: 3-4

(+) Yankey and Fleming anchor a monstrous offensive line.
(+) Playmakers fill a defense led by LB's Murphy and Skov.
(-) Lacks experience and proven talent.
(-) Closes out season with games against USC, Cal, and Notre Dame.

Washington Huskies
Offense: Multiple (HB, 3 WR, TE)
Defense: 4-3

(+) WR Kasen Williams is among ten starters returning on offense.
(+) TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins earned 3rd Team All-American in '12.
(-) Need emergence of playmaker halfback to make team 'elite'.
(-) Start the conference schedule against Stanford, Arizona State, and Oregon State; not a good way to break in the inexperienced secondary.

Washington State Cougars
Offense: Spread (HB, 4 WR)
Defense: 3-4

(+) Free safety Deone Bucannon is the bright spot of the defense.
(+) Only two seniors means there is plenty of room to jump in the rebuilding project.
(-) Speed mismatches versus the conference's elite playmakers.
(-) Talent and experience don't match up against anyone in the PAC-12.

South Division

Arizona Wildcats
Offense: Spread (2 HB, 3 WR)
Defense: 3-3-5

(+) HB Ka'Deem Carey may be the best all-purpose player in the nation.
(+) The entire defense (11 starters) return, led by linebacker Jake Fischer
(-) As much as they pass, the receiver group lacks significant experience.
(-) The defense allowed an ugly 35 ppg the last two years.

Arizona State Sun Devils
Offense: Multiple (HB, 3 WR, TE)
Defense: 3-4

(+) TE Chris Coyle leads seven returning starters on the offensive side.
(+) Will Sutton anchors one of the top defensive lines in the nation.
(-) The loss of their No. 7 career rusher could hurt the offense.
(-) A difficult schedule is compounded by an October 15 showdown in Arlington against Notre Dame.

Colorado Buffaloes
Offense: Pro Spread (HB, 3 WR, TE)
Defense: 4-3

(+) WR Paul Richardson could have big numbers with the toughest road game coming at Arizona State.
(+) Nine starters return for a beleaguered defensive unit.
(-) Gave up nearly 46 points per game in 2012.
(-) Opposing quarterbacks completed almost 68% of their passes last year.

UCLA Bruins
Offense: Multiple (HB, 3 WR, TE)
Defense: 3-4

(+) QB Brett Hundley is solid but should excel considering the high quality of receiving targets at his disposal.
(+) LB Anthony Barr earned 2nd Team All-American last year.
(-) Gave up a whopping 52 sacks last year.
(-) The loss of all four starters in the secondary leaves a lot of question marks.

USC Trojans
Offense: Multiple (HB, 2 WR, 2 TE)
Defense: 3-4 Hybrid (5-2)

(+) Marqise Lee returns after earning the Biletnikoff as the nation's top receiver in 2012.
(+) Beefy OLB Morgan Breslin showcases the unique alignment the Trojans hope will slow down conference running attacks.
(-) A new QB always has its growing pains.
(-) Will the lack of speed at the OLB position hurt the team in coverage?

Utah Utes
Offense: Spread (HB, 3 WR, TE)
Defense: 4-3

(+) The top three wide receivers are back from last year.
(+) Honorable mention All-PAC 12 linebacker Brian Blechen demands the respect of opponents.
(-) A dependency on JUCO players at HB is a risky decision without long term advantages.
(-) Defensively the program lacks depth, experience or talent.

Which PAC 12 program would be your choice for dynasty mode in NCAA Football 14?