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          Pac-12 forecast: It's Washington, Stanford and everybody else

          Is all that preseason buzz about Washington and RB Myles Gaskin warranted? Yes, says Phil Steele. Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
          • Phil Steele, ESPN Staff WriterJul 14, 2016, 10:00 AM ET
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            • ESPN Insider college football contributor
            • Has published his annual college football preview magazine for the past 18 years

          Editor's note: This article was adapted from Phil Steele's college football preview magazine, which is available here.

          Defending Rose Bowl champ Stanford is a good bet to contend again for a Pac-12 title. And USC, despite playing the nation's toughest schedule, ought to be a handful in 2016.

          But as Pac-12 media days kick off, neither one of those teams actually projects as the best in the conference. I rate Washington and Stanford as the two most likely top-10 contenders in 2016.

          Here's a complete breakdown of the Pac-12.