Will the Oregon Ducks take flight or crash land this season? How about the Huskies, Cougars and Beavers? Columbian staff members weigh in.Photo Gallery
College football is the ultimate water-cooler topic.
We debate. We gloat. We vent.
We walk across the office to avoid co-worker after our team loses a big game.
We at the Columbian are no different. We have opinions, alumni ties and rooting interests.
And we definitely have views on what will happen this college football season.
Will the road to the championship be paved yellow and green, or whatever color Oregon wears now?
Will the Cougs make back-to-back bowl games, or will this season see more pouting in the Palouse.
Will the Huskies again make the Northwest their Dawg house? Or will the Chris Petersen era begin with Washington gnawing on scraps.
Will the Beavers make waves in the Pac-12 or just end up minding their own Dam business?
Here’s what we think will happen.
How about you?
Washington 8-5
Washington State 6-6
Oregon 11-1
Oregon State 5-7
Pac-12 champ: UCLA
National champ: Florida
The mighty Gators get their swag back and roll through the SEC. The brief pause the SEC took in winning national championships (dramatic pause required here) is back!
o o o
Washington 10-3
Washington State 6-6
Oregon 12-0
Oregon State 8-4
Pac-12 champ: Oregon
National champ: Auburn
Chip Kelly took Oregon to the national title game in his second season, losing to Auburn. History repeats itself in Mark Helfrich’s second year.
o o o
Washington 8-5
Washington State 5-7
Oregon 10-2
Oregon State 8-4
Pac-12 champ: UCLA
National champ: Oklahoma
Getting two biggest Big-12 rivals at home sets Sooners up for a big season.
o o o
Washington 10-3
Washington State 5-7
Oregon 9-3
Oregon State 10-2
Pac-12 champ: UCLA
National champ: UCLA
I crushed this group last year by picking Florida State. Still hoping the Ducks go 0-12 after sanctions. But that will never happen as long as Phil Knight runs the NCAA!
o o o
Washington 7-6
Washington State 8-4
Oregon 11-1
Oregon State 8-4
Pac-12 champ: Oregon
National champ: Oregon
Oregon plays three opponents in the preseason top 10, maybe UCLA twice. So if it wins the Pac-12 it should have the pedigree to be one of four playoff teams.
o o o
Washington 10-3
Washington State 6-6
Oregon 11-1
Oregon State 8-4
Pac-12 champ: Oregon
National champ: Oregon
Marcus Mariota cements his place as the greatest quarterback in Oregon history before being the first quarterback taken in the 2015 NFL draft.
Paul Valencia, sports reporter. As a Raider fan, he's bitter toward fans whose teams win.
Photo
Paul Danzer, sports reporter. As child, sports editor was told by parents to avoid Danzer's college house (true story).
Photo
Erik Gundersen, sports reporter, may or may not still attend University of Oregon.
Photo
Morning Briefing Newsletter
Get a rundown of the latest local and regional news every Mon-Fri morning.
