
By Jack Follman, SuperWest Sports
September 5, 2023
The Pac-12 season is here, and…oh, it’s the last one, and…oh, it might just be one of the best of them all.
The first week certainly didn’t disappoint.
Am I the only one that’s sad it already feels like this is all over and it doesn’t have to be?
Here are my 10 thoughts on what happened around the Conference in Week One.
1. Coach Prime Silences Doubters (Me Included)

Yes, TCU was probably overrated—that doesn’t mean the Buffs going down there and getting the win wasn’t impressive.
CU’s offense has to look pretty scary to the rest of the Pac-12.
2. Colorado’s Offense is Stunning

Those questions are gone as he was efficient and tossed over 500 yards for four touchdowns.
Dylan Edwards and Travis Hunter also looked like absolute weapons.
3. The Pac-12 Looks to Be at its Best
The Conference made as much of a statement last week as it could have.Colorado won at TCU, Utah bashed Florida, Washington ran away from Boise State, and no one got upset.
The best Week One ever for the Pac-12?
4. Utah’s Defensive Front Just Won’t Go Away

In a time when defenses seem to just be out there to slow offenses and not even stop them, the Utes are built differently.
They scored a big, big win to open the season as two-time defending conference champs.
5. The Heisman Candidate QBs Filled it Up

They did what they needed to do though, filling up the stat sheet, getting easy wins, and setting themselves up for their bigger games.
It’s hard to say who really even had the best first week.
6. The New QBs are Pretty Good Too

The rest of the QBs weren’t too shabby either. It’s a trend across the board for the conference, but it might be the best QB group ever.
7. Week One Scheduling Sucks

Opening up the season with Utah hosting Florida put the Conference on primetime for a win and Prime Time beating TCU first thing Saturday morning was stellar.
Other than that, opening week continues to feel more and more like a preseason.
8. Washington is Still Riding the Waves

Still, they’re a program predicted to win the Mountain West and win 10 games yet again, and Washington dismantled them after a slow start with major fireworks.
The Huskies look to be fun to watch again under Kalen DeBoer.
9. The Sun Devils Should Go to a Bowl Game if They Get Six Wins

Nothing else needs to be said.
10. Week Two Steps Things Up

We will really see how strong the conference is next Saturday.
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Jack Follman’s 10 Thoughts on 2023 Week 1 in the Pac-12
> The Conference was at its best with every member team winning—most of them handily - September 5, 2023 -
Jack Follman’s 2023 Pac-12 Season Predictions: Weeks 9-13
> Scores for every game with commentary on top contests, plus projected standings and title game - August 17, 2023 -
Jack Follman’s 2023 Pac-12 Season Predictions: Weeks 5-8
> Early picks with scores for every game and commentary for top contests & projected standings - August 16, 2023