It's been a busy week with three Pac-12 coaches taken to the gallows, so I didn't get a chance yet to comment on the All-Pac-12 team released Monday.
Until now!
Running back was an absurdly competitive position. How do you leave Utah's John White off the first team? Well, do you cut Washington's Chris Polk? Or do you have a wishbone backfield?!
Receiver was even more competitive. USC's Robert Woods was the only unanimous first-team choice, but teammate Marqise Lee was every bit his match by season's end. And how can you leave Washington State's Marquess Wilson off the first team? He had more yards and touchdowns than California's Keenan Allen. But Allen is a big-time talent, too.
In the preseason, if I told you that neither Oregon cornerback Cliff Harris nor Arizona State linebacker Vontaze Burfict would even earn honorable mention, you'd have thought I was nuts. Both are big-time talents who need to grow up. Burfict, in particular, needs to realize this wasn't the media, which he believes is out to get him. It was the coaches.
The first-team offensive line is outstanding. All those guys will get drafted by NFL teams, three perhaps in the first round. The drop-off to the second-team is significant.
Seven of the eight defensive linemen on the first and second teams are ends. The only true tackle is Utah junior Star Lotulelei, who has All-America potential if he opts to return next year.
Combine the two above bullet points: The Pac-12 needs more depth of talent on both lines.
The first-team defense features three safeties and just one cornerback: USC's Nickell Robey.
Of the Pac-12 newbies, Utah had three first-teamers and two second-teamers. Colorado had none on the first-team, one on the second.
The biggest omission was Utah safety Brian Blechen. He should have been at least second team.
Anyone have an opinion on Andrew Luck over Matt Barkley? Tough call. I remain a Luck lean.
Now who's coming back next year? My guess is we could lose 17 of 22 position players, including players who enter the NFL draft early.