Pac-12 Breakfast Links: 06.15.2011

*Thanks for making me look like a liar in yesterday’s breakfast links, Juron Criner.  He was actually the reason why I DVR’d the episode.  [Tucson Citizen]

*Speaking of disappointments, Criner and Nick Foles got slaughtered in a few early draft projections.  It’s time to prove that helmet-haired, Mel Kiper wrong. [Tucson Citizen]

*Lane Kiffin tells WNOX 100.3 that he went for two so much last year because USC couldn’t get into a bowl .  That seems a little reckless considering the many gamblers counting on those points. [WNOX] (Kiffin's comments @35:30)  

*Speaking of gambling, Oregon is predicted to open as three point favorites against LSU.  If Cliff Harris is suspended, I’m definitely taking the Tigers.  [Gaming Today]

*Can’t seem to get off the gambling topic today.  Andrew Luck is the oddsmakers’ favorite to hoist the Heisman this season.  Definitely won’t argue with that.  [USA Today]

*There is nothing more unpredictable yet extremely fun to watch than a wild buffalo running at full speed on a field with innocent bystanders.  How is this even a contest?  Vote for Colorado’s Ralphie! [ESPN]

*Hmmm…back to the sportsbook to close it.  Oregon’s odds to win the 2012 National Championship are 13/1…hardly the favorites, but not a bad bet.  [SBR Forum]

Arizona State Football: Can Brock Osweiler Contend for the Pac-12 Passing Title?

The names atop the Pac-12's quarterback list for the 2011 season include two potential top 10 NFL draft picks and a player that has already been to a National Championship game. Unfortunately for Arizona State, neither of these names will be stitched to the back of a Sun Devils' jersey this fall.

Brock Osweiler certainly is not at the caliber of Andrew Luck or Matt Barkley and he sure as hell doesn't have the flashy style possessed by Darron Thomas. However, would it be absolutely insane to consider Osweiler a contender for the top quarterback in the Pac-12 conference?

Stanford Football: Do the Cardinal Need a Top Tier Receiver?

Stanford’s top three receivers from last season are gone, leaving a gaping hole at wide-out on its depth chart.  But, with Andrew Luck leading the charge for the Cardinal’s offense, it begs the question: does Stanford even need a top tier receiver to be successful in 2011?

While it might be outlandish for some to compare Luck to Tom Brady or Peyton Manning this early in his career, it is certainly not a stretch if you call him one of the best quarterbacks in college football today.

Like Brady and Manning, Luck has the tools to succeed at his position despite an apparent lack of talent lining up wide.  The vision and cerebral nature of these quarterbacks allows them to find the open guy and let even the most unknown of names become a league leading receiver.

Pac-12 Football: Stanford Cardinal Spring Game Report Card

Spring Game Type: 1st Team (Cardinal) vs. 2nd Team (White)

Final Score:  Cardinal 42, White 3

The Stanford Cardinal offense hasn’t missed a beat since Jim Harbaugh’s departure.  As long as they have that Heisman Trophy candidate, they should be just fine.  

Offense:

It only took a few plays for Andrew Luck to quickly remind everyone why he is considered to be the best quarterback in the conference.  Under Luck’s directions, the Cardinal squad scored a touchdown on every drive. He connected on 16 of 22 passes and tossed three touchdowns with ease. 

Stepfan Taylor also provided the Cardinal with a steady ground game, gaining 61 yards and scoring one touchdown. 

Even with the coaching change, it appears that Stanford’s offense is still legit with Luck running the show.

Grade: A

Defense:

With the departure of Vic Fangio and five key defensive starters, there are some concerns about how the Cardinal’s defense will stack up to last year’s impressive outing. 

While Stanford is stacked at the linebacker position with Chase Thomas and Shane Skov, Thomas missed the spring game with an undisclosed matter, which raises some questions.

Despite these variables, Fangio’s successor, former secondary coach Derek Mason, is pumped about his team chances at continuing the dominance it asserted last season.

Grade: B