College Football

Pac-12 Football: 5 most important non-conference games in 2017

Updated Mar. 5, 2020 2:08 a.m. ET

Fansided, Jerran Anderson/FanSided via Saturday Blitz

Pac-12 football is still in the middle of the Power Five pack, but coaching changes should improve things in 2017.

The Pac-12 saw a few of its better teams produce some bad results in 2016. The Oregon Ducks finished the season with a 4-8 record, as did the California Golden Bears.

Both teams replaced their head coaches, beginning new eras for programs in search of new cultures, especially on the defensive side of the ball.

The non-conference slate should help to move along the process for both teams as well. California hosts the Ole Miss Rebels this season, the first meeting for the teams in their history.

The Ducks travel to Wyoming to face quarterback Josh Allen, a highly rated NFL prospect for 2018, and the Cowboys balanced offensive attack.

Washington State Cougars quarterback Luke Falk's return for his senior season can only be attributed to his want for a Pac-12 title run this season. He has the tools to get there, but he'll need his defense to have his back.

The USC Trojans are another team that could make a run at a title as well as a spot in this year's College Football Playoff. Quarterback Sam Darnold is prime for a breakout season starting with a strong game against the Texas Longhorns.

The UCLA Bruins are another team looking to break out. After quarterback Josh Rosen missed six games with a shoulder injury, he returns healthy and looking to be better than the 4-8 record the Bruins produced last season.

It starts with a non-conference matchup with Texas A&M. Here's a look at the Pac-12 five most important non-conference games in 2017.

Sep 24, 2016; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (3) walks off the field during the second half against the Stanford Cardinal at Rose Bowl. The Stanford Cardinal won 22-13. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

5. Texas A&M at UCLA, Sept. 3

The UCLA Bruins hope for better results in the Pac-12 in 2017. Quarterback Josh Rosen faced a bit of a sophomore slump, which ended with a shoulder injury that sideline him for six games.

Rosen returns with a renewed focus after the Bruins went 4-8 in 2016. They return nine starters on offense which should give them an edge in the experience department in the early going.

However, it hasn't help Rosen has had three different offensive coordinators in his three seasons as starter. He'll have a new OC for 2017 as well which could stunt his growth a bit in a pivotal point for draft season.

The Bruins dropped last season's meeting with the Texas A&M Aggies 31-24 but opening the season with a home game should help this year's result.

UCLA saw a lot of its top defenders like Eddie Vanderdoes and Takkarist McKinley drafted in the 2017 NFL Draft. Replacing their defensive playmakers will also go a long way in improving the outcome in 2017.

Sep 10, 2016; Madison, WI, USA; Wisconsin Badgers defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox watches his squad practice before the game with the Akron Zips at Camp Randall Stadium. Wisconsin defeated Akron 54-10. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports

4. Ole Miss at California, Sept. 16

The California Golden Bears are another Pac-12 team that had a down year in 2016. With a 5-7 record, the Golden Bears have some room for improvement in 2017. After firing Sonny Dykes, a new era starts next season.

The Golden Bears have a new head coach in Justin Wilcox and with that comes high expectations. They've shown flashes they can be good but also have sputtered against the good teams in the conference.

Wilcox and his staff should turn things around. However, replacing quarterback Davis Webb will be tough but new offensive coordinator Beau Baldwin's system should keep things open and free next season.

Cal returns eight starters on defense which bodes well even though they allowed 42.6 points per game. With Wilcox as their leader, the defense should be much improved.

Wilcox is the former Wisconsin Badgers defensive coordinator, showing where much of the focus will be this upcoming season. They'll be tested early by the Ole Miss Rebels, a competitive SEC squad.

It is the team's first ever meeting in school history.

Dec 27, 2016; San Diego , CA, USA; Washington State Cougars quarterback Luke Falk (4) throws a ball on the sideline during the second half against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Qualcomm Stadium. Minnesota won 17-12. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

3. Washington State vs. Boise State, Sept. 9

The Washington State Cougars and quarterback Luke Falk look to turn a corner next season. One big key to success is an early season victory over the Boise State Broncos on the road.

Falk and the Cougars came up short against the Broncos last season but with experience on their side they hope to change things.

They went 7-2 in Pac-12 play a season ago. With renewed confidence in 2017, Washington State hopes the defense can keep pace with the offense this time.

Falk threw for 4,468 passing yards and 38 touchdowns in 2016. He did well to lead the Cougars to victory although they lost their final three games of the season. He'll have some weapons to replace on offense but still has some experienced receivers to throw to.

The defense, on the other hands, allowed 26.4 points per game, 50th in the FBS. The nine returning starters on the unit will have to tighten things up if they want to challenge for a Pac-12 title this season.

Apr 21, 2017; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Willie Taggart watches players scrimmage during spring practice at the Oregon Ducks outdoor practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports

2. Oregon at Wyoming, Sept. 16

Head coach Willie Taggart will be tested early when the Oregon Ducks face the Wyoming Cowboys. The Ducks had an underwhelming 2016 season which culminated with a 4-8 record.

Taggart has the talent on the Oregon roster to be decent next season but he'll have to figure things out in a hurry. Quarterback Justin Herbert and running back Royce Freeman return ready to do big things.

The Wyoming Cowboys went 8-6 in Craig Bohl's third year as head coach. With Josh Allen at quarterback, their offense isn't one to be taken lightly. Especially considering the Ducks defense allowed 41.4 points per game in 2016, which ranked 126th in the FBS.

Oregon returns the most starters (17) in the Pac-12 which makes for a favorable turnaround in 2017 in the grand scheme of things.

After Taggart led the South Florida Bulls to an18-7 record in the past two seasons, the upside for the Ducks is there, they just need to produce. A victory over Wyoming will help their case to return as a powerhouse.

Apr 15, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; USC Trojans quarterback Sam Darnold (14) throws a pass during the annual 2017 Spring Game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum . Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

1. Texas vs. USC, Sept. 16

The USC Trojans got off to a slow start in 2016. They were 1-3 before reeling off nine straight victories to finish the season, including an impressive 52-49 comeback victory against the Penn State Nittany Lions in the Rose Bowl.

Quarterback Sam Darnold is a name fans will be hearing all season long for the Trojans. Although they face the Texas Longhorns in Week 3, it gives Darnold a formidable opponent and a national stage to show scouts what he can do.

Darnold headlines a strong 2018 NFL Draft class of quarterbacks set to make the leap to the next level. All eyes will be on him in this game as well as a portion of the Trojans top five rated recruiting class from 2017.

The Trojans could have a lot of young weapons on the field at Darnold's disposal by the time the fall arrives. They also got a lot better on defense, securing four-star defensive tackle Marlon Tuipulotu from the state of Oregon.

At either rate, the Trojans and Longhorns matchup should be a shootout. Expect the winner to elevate his status as a Heisman candidate as a result.