College Football: Power-Five Conference, Playoff Predictions

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Dec 26, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Washington Huskies fullback Myles Gaskin (9) reacts to scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Southern Miss Golden Eagles at Cotton Bowl Stadium. Washington won 44-31. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /

PAC-12 North

The Pac-12 North, like the South, is pretty open as well.

The national pundits and mainstream media all are pretty much going with the Stanford Cardinal. Obviously, Stanford has it share of question marks and a brutal schedule, but the Cardinal returns Heisman Candidate Christian McCaffrey and they have won the past 3-of-4 division titles.

Here are some key games to watch within the North that will decide this side of the Pac-12:

Key Games:

Stanford at Washington, September 30th
Oregon at Washington State, October 1st
Washington at Oregon, October 8th
Washington State at Stanford, October 8th
Stanford at Oregon, November 12th
Washington at Washington State, November 25th

This division comes down to, really, four teams. Stanford, Washington, Washington State, and Oregon.

The Ducks have a talented offense, but no defense and that will be their undoing. Stanford has one of the toughest schedules in the conference and, possibly, in the nation.

That leaves Washington and Washington State. Could the annual rivalry game at the end of the season decide the Pac-12 North? I believe so.

I think the Huskies come away with the win behind talented quarterback Jake Browning and running back Myles Gaskin, as well as the conference’s top defense.

Division Winner: Washington

Next: Big Ten

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