USC and Oregon are poised to step forward in the Pac-12

The divisional setup of the Pac-12 Conference pointed to an Oregon appearance in the 2022 Pac-12 Championship Game. Now that division championships are no longer the basis for placing teams in the Pac-12 title game, it’s very possible that the 2022 event could have USC and Utah.

If we can step back and look beyond 2022 for a moment, it’s clear that Utah is not in a position to contend for the Pac-12 on a long-term basis, at least to the extent that we don’t know who will lead the Utes in 2023 and beyond.

Kyle Whittingham is going to retire within the next two years, barring a significant change in his situation and outlook. This loaded 2022 Utah team will likely give way to a much less talented roster in 2023.

USC and Oregon might create a South-North title game even when divisions are eventually removed from the conference, a reform expected to happen next year.

We talked to Ducks Wire analyst Don Smalley about the long-term future of the conference power structure:

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Trojans Wire: Utah has a loaded team this year, but do you think that Oregon and USC are going to wind up meeting a lot of times in Las Vegas beginning in 2023, regardless of this formatting change?

Donald Smalley, Ducks Wire: The odds are certainly in favor of that. Oregon and USC are already having battles off the field in recruiting and it should work out to where the Ducks and Trojans will play for the conference title for many years to come.