SAN FRANCISCO -- Aside from the University of Southern California's Matt Barkley and the University of Washington's Keith Price, the quarterback position is largely unknowable in the Pac-12. Other teams, such as the University of California, have returning quarterbacks, but they also have long, loping question marks.
The Pac-12 is usually loaded with quarterbacks. Now that Andrew Luck, Nick Foles and Brock Osweiler are gone, however, most of the teams either don't have an established quarterback or their main guys were hurt last year.
In terms of how they stack up at the position, the teams can be divided into three groups -- the haves, the might-haves and "your guess is as good as mine." Certainly none of the Pac-12 coaches was making any promises during Tuesday's teleconference with the media.
The haves
USC -- With Barkley pitching to Robert Woods and Marqise Lee, the Pac-12 might have its second straight top National Football League draft pick. Unlike last year, the Trojans are eligible for the conference title and a bowl game.
Washington -- Price broke school records with 33 touchdown passes, a .669 completion percentage and 161.09 pass efficiency. Now he'll have to do it without having tailback Chris Polk to share the defense's attention.
The might-haves
Cal -- How consistently Zach Maynard will play as a senior is anybody's guess. He was intercepted just three times in his first five games, then was picked off seven times in the last three games. He was much improved this spring, coach Jeff Tedford said.
Oregon State University -- As a freshman, Sean Mannion -- the pride of Pleasanton -- had his moments. He also threw two more interceptions (18) than TD passes (16).
University of Colorado -- Tyler Hansen's junior year ended in the seventh game when he sustained a ruptured spleen against Texas Tech. He was completing nearly 70 percent of his passes until he was hurt.
University of Utah -- Jordan Wynn started the first four games last year before a season-ending injury to his left (non-throwing) shoulder. In spring ball he looked fine.
University of Arizona -- Matt Scott is a fifth-year senior whose claim to fame is that he threw four TD passes in the spring game. "He can be the type of leader we need," new coach Rich Rodriguez said. He'd better be.
Washington State University -- Senior Jeff Tuel didn't start the 2011 opener because of a stomach illness. Later he broke his collarbone, putting him out for four games. Then he missed the last five games with a leg injury. This guy is due for a break, and he'll be doing plenty of passing in new coach Mike Leach's spread offense.
Your guess is as good as mine
Stanford University -- Neither Brett Nottingham nor Josh Nunes stood out in the spring game. This is probably going to be the Stepfan Taylor show anyway, but if the quarterback can't keep the defense off balance, Stanford's ground game will be hampered.
"I'm not going to lie, there's still a little bit of Andrew Luck hangover here in Palo Alto," coach David Shaw said.
University of Oregon -- Bryan Bennett looked great at times last year when Darron Thomas was hurt. He wasn't so great in the spring game, and now redshirt freshman Marcus Mariota might have the upper hand.
University of California-Los Angeles -- New coach Jim Mora will choose among Kevin Prince, Richard Brehaut and Brett Hundley, who spent last year as a redshirt. Prince won the job in each of the last three years, but he's always getting hurt.
Arizona State University -- Now that Osweiler is with the Denver Broncos, the candidates to replace him are Michael Bercovici, Taylor Kelly and Michael Eubank. Under new coach Todd Graham, the Sun Devils will be more ground-oriented (and no doubt far more disciplined) than they were under Dennis Erickson.
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