[Hulk01]

Against our three D1 opponents, who have allowed teams to convert 33% of their third downs, we are 10-26, or 44%.  USC ranks 6th in the nation, and Washington 18th, in this category. 

Between them, those two teams may have seven guys--Leonard Williams, Hayes Pullard, Sua Cravens, Kahaha, Denny Shelton, Shaq Thompson, and Marcus Peters--who end up on the first team All Pac-12. 

Just for fun, and to see how this prediction comes out, here's my bet on the team, with the locks in bold.

DE  Hau'oli Kikaha (WASH)
DT  Denny Shelton (WASH)
DE  Leonard Williams (Spoileds)
LB Eric Kendricks (UCLA)
LB  Scooby Wright III (Arizona)
LB  Shaq Thompson (WASH)
LB  Myles Jack (UCLA)
DB  Ife Ekpre-Olumu (UCLA)
DB  Marcus Peters (WA)
DB  Ishmael Adams (UCLA)
DB  Jordan Richards (Stan) or Alex Carter (Stan)

The number of outstanding DBs in the conference makes me think they might choose a nickel defense just to honor the best players.  The coaches typically gave chosen a 4-3, but my bet is that they go with a 3-4 for similar reasons: there seem to be more deserving linebackers than there are DLs, and not that many great DTs. 

LB  Stanford even approximates its recent performances, the coaches will have to name Henry Anderson and/or A.J Tarpley, and one of those LBs seems likely to be beat out by a guy we won't face,  I'd bet on one of them, not least of all because the 11 guys listed above include five defensive backs.

[Hulk01]

Against our three D1 opponents, who have allowed teams to convert 33% of their third downs, we are 10-26, or 44%.  USC ranks 6th in the nation, and Washington 18th, in this category. 

Between them, those two teams may have seven guys--Leonard Williams, Hayes Pullard, Sua Cravens, Kahaha, Denny Shelton, Shaq Thompson, and Marcus Peters--who end up on the first team All Pac-12. 

Just for fun, and to see how this prediction comes out, here's my bet on the team, with the locks in bold.

DE  Hau'oli Kikaha (WASH)
DT  Denny Shelton (WASH)
DE  Leonard Williams (Spoileds)
LB Eric Kendricks (UCLA)
LB  Scooby Wright III (Arizona)
LB  Shaq Thompson (WASH)
LB  Myles Jack (UCLA)
DB  Ife Ekpre-Olumu (UCLA)
DB  Marcus Peters (WA)
DB  Ishmael Adams (UCLA)
DB  Jordan Richards (Stan) or Alex Carter (Stan)

The number of outstanding DBs in the conference makes me think they might choose a nickel defense just to honor the best players.  The coaches typically gave chosen a 4-3, but my bet is that they go with a 3-4 for similar reasons: there seem to be more deserving linebackers than there are DLs, and not that many great DTs. 

LB  Stanford even approximates its recent performances, the coaches will have to name Henry Anderson and/or A.J Tarpley, and one of those LBs seems likely to be beat out by a guy we won't face,  I'd bet on one of them, not least of all because the 11 guys listed above include five defensive backs.