Depth charts don't tell us everything. But here are some quick observations on what Pac-12 depth charts tell us heading into Week 1.
Arizona (nine senior starters, zero freshmen): After all the shuffling, particularly on the offensive line, very few surprises. Derrick Rainey is listed ahead of Jonathan McKnight at one cornerback. Marquis Flowers, as previously reported, moves from safety to weakside linebacker.
Arizona State (eight seniors, two freshmen): The Sun Devils have both a tailback (senior Cameron Marshall, the true starter) and running back (freshman D.J. Foster) listed. The other freshman topping the depth chart is NT Jaxon Hood, who has an "Or" between him and JC transfer Mike Pennel. Of course, the biggest surprise is Taylor Kelly winning the job at QB.
California (12 seniors, two freshmen): Redshirt freshman Jordan Rigsbee was expected to win the job at left guard, and true freshman WR Bryce Treggs was high on the list of incoming players expected to immediately be in the mix. Three of the top-four WRs are freshmen. Post-spring, the starting inside LBs were Robert Mullins and Nick Forbes, with J.P. Hurrell backing up Mullins and David Wilkerson behind Forbes. But heading into the Nevada game it's Mullins and Hurrell, with Forbes behind Mullins and Jalen Jefferson behind Hurrell. Wilkerson is hurt and likely won't play this weekend. Also hurt: DE Mustafa Jalil, who isn't on the depth chart.
Colorado (five seniors, four freshmen): A young depth chart. Redshirt freshman receiver Nelson Spruce and true freshman cornerback Kenneth Crawley are starters, NT Josh Tupou and and FB Alex Wood are co-starters. Five other freshmen are backups. Pending decision on backup QB behind starter Jordan Webb.
Oregon (nine seniors, three freshmen): Redshirt freshman Tyler Johnstone won the job at left tackle, junior Brian Jackson replaces Eddie Pleasant at strong safety and Taylor Hart moves outside to defensive end. Guard Carson York, who blew out his knee in the Rose Bowl, is not listed, though he claims to be ready to play. A bunch of "Ors" at tight end, but that's only because sophomore Colt Lyerla was late to camp. De'Anthony Thomas, who plays wherever Chip Kelly wants him, is listed as RB Kenjon Barner's backup. Has a backup ever won the Heisman Trophy? Some were a bit surprised that Daryle Hawkins and Keanon Lowe joined Josh Huff as starting receivers, but let's wait and see how things go in actual games.
Oregon State (eight seniors, two freshmen): The big, though not entirely unexpected, news is true freshman hot shot Isaac Seumalo starting at center. Redshirt freshman Storm Woods prevailed at running back. Keith Kostol is the new punter. Kevin Cummings is ahead of Obum Gwacham at slot receiver.
Stanford (five seniors, zero freshmen): Read Kevin's full review here. The biggest surprise is likely touted sophomore cornerback Wayne Lyons being listed behind junior Barry Browning. Lots of young depth with 11 freshmen or redshirt freshmen on the depth chart. It appears all three touted true freshmen O-linemen could play. LB Shayne Skov, serving a one-game suspension and coming back from a knee injury, isn't listed. The two new safeties are Ed Reynolds and Jordan Richards.
UCLA (10 seniors, three freshmen): Still no certainty on who will backup redshirt freshman QB Brett Hundley. Other frosh starters are redshirt guys, too: C Jake Brendel and WR Steven Manfro. Former DE Damien Holmes moves to ILB to replace the injured Patrick Larimore. Sophomore Jordon James is Jonathan Franklin's backup at running back. Joseph Fauria is listed behind Darius Bell at "Y" receiver. Bell, a former QB, is 5-foot-10. Fauria, an NFL prospect as a TE, is 6-foot-7. Seali'i Epenesa is No. 1 at NT, ahead of North Carolina transfer Brandon Willis. Willis was No. 1 and Epenesa No. 3 on the post-spring depth chart.
USC (six seniors, two freshmen): A good review here. Few surprises for a team that welcomes back 19 starters. "Ors" at tight end (Xavier Grimble and Randall Telfer), backup QB (Max Wittek, who will be the backup in game one, and Cody Kessler), running back (Curtis McNeal and Silas Redd) and safety (Demetrius Wright and Jawanza Starling). Redshirt freshmen starters are FB Soma Vainuku and NT Antwaun Woods. You can also see by the paucity of seniors that the Trojans set up nicely even for the post-Matt Barkley era.
Utah (12 seniors, one freshman): There's an "Or" between redshirt freshmen Jared Norris and Lt Filiaga at rover linebacker. The Utes are veteran on both lines -- three seniors, two juniors on offense and two seniors, a junior and a sophomore on defense. The new OTs are Miles Mason and Percy Taumoelau. There's also an "Or" between Joe Kruger and Trevor Reilly at defensive end.
Washington (four seniors, four freshmen): The Huskies are young -- nine other starters are sophomores. Freshmen starters are receivers Jaydon Mickens and Kendyl Taylor, LB Travis Feeney and nickel safety Shaq Thompson. "Ors" also between RBs Jesse Callier and Bishop Sankey and safeties Will Shamburger and Justin Glenn.
Washington State (six seniors, five freshmen): Jeff Tuel is the starter at QB, even though there's an "Or" between him and Connor Halliday. Freshmen starters are: receiver Gabe Marks (true), RB Teondray Caldwell (true, though there is an "Or" between him and Carl Winston and Leon Brooks), DE Xavier Cooper, MLB Darryl Monroe and FS Taylor Taliulu, who's ahead of returning starter and senior Tyree Toomer.