By Jack Follman, SuperWest Sports
February 2, 2023
The 2022 Pac-12 season left a lot on the table with a lot of the top teams not playing each other—specifically, USC not playing Oregon or Washington.
That’s not the case this year.
2023 is going to be a tight and tense and competitive conference slate, perfect for the last true year of the Conference.
Big games start right out the gate and go all the way through rivalry week.
Not surprisingly, the list is filled with the preseason favorites of Oregon, Oregon State, USC, Utah, and Washington.
Here’s my Top 12:
1. Oregon at Washington 
October 14
Husky Stadium
There should be so much on the line in this game and a win would be huge for either program in the rivalry on top of just likely giving whoever wins a big advantage in the chase for the Pac-12 Championship Game.
Plus, Bo Nix vs. Michael Penix Jr.
2. Washington at USC
November 4
Los Angeles Coliseum
They should be similar teams in 2023, led by QBs Michael Penix Jr. and Caleb Williams.
The timing of the games also means the national and conference championship implications could be huge in one of the last USC showdowns in Conference history.
3. Utah at USC
October 21
Los Angeles Coliseum
This year it is in The Coliseum and the Trojans will be out for revenge after getting embarrassed in the Pac-12 Championship Game.
This matchup will almost assuredly decide the battle of what used to be the South.
4. USC at Oregon
November 11
Autzen Stadium
The Trojans going into Autzen for the last time with just a few weeks left will be electric.
There’s a great chance this one will have CFP implications and Caleb Williams vs. Bo Nix will be a hell of a show.
5. Oregon State at Oregon
November 24
Autzen Stadium
Both teams will be ranked going into the season and the Ducks will likely be set on kill trying to avenge last year’s epic comeback from the Beavers.
Should be the best and biggest game of rivalry week in the Pac.
6. Utah at Washington
November 11
Husky Stadium
They’ll clash late-season in Seattle in what could be a preview of the Pac-12 Championship Game.
7. UCLA at USC
November 18
Los Angeles Coliseum
The Bruins aren’t expected to be as good this year but that doesn’t mean this shouldn’t be a great one with a lot on the line.
8. Oregon at Utah
October 28
Rice-Eccles Stadium
Both teams should be ranked and right in the thick of the Conference Championship chase with a nice matchup of Oregon’s dynamic offense against Utah’s tough defense.
9. Washington at Oregon State
November 18
Reser Stadium
This will probably be a Pac-12 Championship elimination game between two tough teams.
10. Utah at Oregon State
September 29
Reser Stadium
Both these teams are tough and have similar styles so this should be an interesting battle of wills in Corvallis.
11. UCLA at Utah
September 23
Rice-Eccles Stadium
The Bruins bullied the Utes a bit in Pasadena last October and made a huge buzz in the Conference.
Going up to Salt Lake City to open Pac-12 play is going to be a monster and both teams know this will be a massive game for rivals that were formerly part of the now-defunct South Division.
12. Colorado at Oregon
September 23
Autzen Stadium
Still, it’s all about Coach Prime making his debut in the Pac-12.
It should be extra fun with him debuting against the swaggiest program in the Conference that he’s competing with for that title.
Other Games to Watch
Oregon at Arizona State, November 18
USC at Colorado, September 30
UCLA at Oregon State, October 14
Washington State at Washington, November 25
Washington at Arizona, September 30
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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