College Football Preview Magazine:

The Pac-12 has the best group of returning quarterbacks of all conferences for 2023: reigning Heisman winner Caleb Williams, Oregon’s Bo Nix, Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. and Utah’s Cam Rising. Clemson transfer DJ Uiagalelei, who is now at Oregon State, adds more “big name” status to the Pac-12 quarterbacks. Of those five quarterbacks, three of them - Williams, Nix and Penix Jr. - are in the top five of current 2023 Heisman odds.

Speaking of quarterbacks, the usual “elites” of college football this season will have new starting quarterbacks. Alabama must replace 2023 NFL draft first overall pick Bryce Young, Georgia must replace ultra super senior Stetson Bennett, Ohio State replaces 2023 NFL draft’s second overall pick in C.J. Stroud and Clemson replaces two-year starter DJ Uiagalelei, who is now in Corvallis, Oregon.

Not only does the Pac-12 have multiple elite returning quarterbacks, but there is also good returning talent around these Pac-12 quarterbacks. Washington returns one of the nation’s best receiving corps with pass catchers Rome Odunze and Jalen McMillan. So Penix Jr. has some great options to throw the ball to.

Nix also has experienced receivers returning, with one of the conference’s best pass catchers in Troy Franklin, Chris Hutson and the transfer from Troy’s leading receiver Tez Johnson.

Caleb Williams, who just won the Heisman and is projected as one of the first, if not the first, picks of the 2024 NFL draft, will have Lincoln Riley and Kliff Kingsbury team up to call plays for USC and what just might be the nation’s best overall offense. Williams will have an elite receiving corps with returnees Brenden Rice and Mario Williams, as well as Arizona transfer and star receiver Dorian Singer. Freshman sensation Zachariah Branch will automatically be one of the fastest players in the country.

Two-time defending Pac-12 champion Utah has its quarterback Cam Rising returning for one more season, as well as the second most overall production in the Pac-12.

The Pac-12 has not made the playoff since 2016, when Washington played Alabama in the semifinal and lost 24-7. This is the best chance in seven years the Pac-12 has had to make the playoff. If the Pac-12 misses this window of opportunity, at least the playoff expansion to 12 teams begins in 2024.