Written by Mike Schmitz. This update comes to you from the scene of Pac-12 Media Days.
Pac-12 Media Poll Released; Oregon Tops Standings
LOS ANGELES -- Despite Oregon's ongoing off the field issues, members of the media still have faith in LaMichael James and the Ducks, as they were tabbed conference champions in the first ever Pac-12 media poll.
“I’d like to commend the media that covers this conference, because I think you’re the smartest ones out there. You picked us to win the league, and what I just learned out back is that 10 out of the last 11 years you picked us to win the league,” said Oregon head coach Chip Kelly. “So I guess our answer to that question is we hope you’re right.”
Twenty-eight media members voted for Oregon as Pac-12 Champions, while the remaining votes went to Stanford (11) and Arizona State (3).
Based on the poll results, the North Division champion Ducks would battle South Division favorite USC in the first ever Pac-12 Championship game. But because of the Trojans’ postseason ban, ASU would slide into the championship game, which would be quite all right with Sun Devils’ head coach Dennis Erickson.
"I don't care (laughing)," said Erickson with a smile before deferring to quarterback Brock Osweiler, who agreed whole-heartedly. "A lot of things in life you take any way you can get it."
Here’s how the rest of the rankings played out:
North Division (first-place votes)
1. Oregon (29)
2. Stanford (13)
3. Washington
4. Oregon State
5. California
6. Washington State
South Division (first-place votes)
1. USC (24)
2. Arizona State (13)
3. Utah (4)
4. Arizona (1)
5. UCLA
6. Colorado
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