Rk Job Votes (1st)

1. 13 (13)

Like Ohio State in the Big Ten and Texas in the Big 12, USC dominated the voting by landing all 13 first-place votes. The money is huge, the location is nearly perfect, the rich recruiting base is unmatched, and the history of success is second to none in the league. With the exception of cost of living and the distracted nature of the L.A. market, this job has no weaknesses.

2. 30

Two decades ago, the Ducks would have been ranked behind UCLA and Washington among others. Yet, the big business of sports and the flash of NIKE money have tangibly increased the Ducks' status not only in the Pac-12 but nationally. Eugene boasts the best stadium/fans in the conference and the facilities are some of the most impressive in the nation. In-state recruiting isn't all that fertile but few brands carry as much clout nationally as Oregon. The Ducks scored all but one second-place vote.

3. 47

Like Texas A&M or Clemson, there are few excuses for UCLA not to be great. All of the same positives USC enjoys help the Bruins as well. The difference is lack of support and commitment from the administration over time (which is getting better). This has long been a basketball school first. Yet, UCLA has been a sleeping giant for years and Jim Mora may finally be waking the beast. UCLA got six third-place votes and one second-place vote.

4. 58

The only home atmosphere out West that rivals Autzen Stadium is Husky Stadium. Some of the league's best fans and one of the nation's most picturesque venues/campuses makes UW an extremely desirable gig. Financial support doesn't seem to be a problem and in-state recruiting is adequate (although, not elite). This program has won a national title in the last 30 years and has all of the needed advantages to return to those heights. The Huskies got four third-place votes.

5. 61

Arizona is a quality state for talent and dipping into California is par for the course at ASU. The stadium keeps getting better, the facilities are improving annually and the fans are, uh, gorgeously supportive. Does this program have the same national appeal and clout of those above it? No. But can Arizona State win at a high level consistently in the Pac-12? You bet.

6. 76

There are major positives about working in Palo Alto but there are major hurdles as well. The prestige of the job is world renowned and the campus is an easy sell not only to the glut of in-state recruits but also nationally. The facilities are strong as well. However, the fan support won't ever match the bigger programs in the sport and sports aren't always a top priority among the powers that be at Stanford.

7. 95

Arizona won't ever be confused as a Pac-12 power but it has done an excellent job of competing over time. The recruiting base is excellent but being able to lure outside prospects to the desert is important for any head coach in Tucson. There isn't any big-time tradition of gridiron success, but the stadium is slowly but surely becoming competitive with the bigger boys in the league. Zona isn't an easy job to peg, which is why it was voted as high as sixth and as low as 10th.

8. 105

Cal is the premier public institution in America and is located in a great area to live and recruit. The facilities used to be an issue but have been renovated lately. There is a lot to like about this job but it has struggled to reach the upper tier of the league for the better part of a century. This program has just two Pac-12 titles since 1958 for a reason.

9. 114

Going from the Mountain West to the Pac-12 is a tangible move that greatly impacts the national standing of the Utes' program in a positive way. Utah and the surrounding states are underrated for producing talent and the stadium is slowly but surely getting to a point where it can be mentioned as one of the better venues in the league. However, all of these aspects were tops in the Mountain West and are middle of the pack in the Pac-12. It's an uphill battle to get Utah on par with the elite jobs in the Pac-12 South.

10. 122

The fall from national championship to 10th in the Pac-12 took less than 30 years for Colorado. Most of that stems from lack of support from the administration. The facilities are in desperate need of upgrading and support for the head coach has been questionable in recent years. That said, if new rounds of upgrades to all of the above were to happen, it could help the Buffs return to relevance. When good, the fans are excellent but tend to be a fickle bunch in a town with loads of other things to do.

11. 140

The stadium has been upgraded but still lags behind the Pac-12's best in terms of intimidation factor and size, while the facilities pale in comparison to their in-state big brother from Eugene. Getting recruits to Corvallis is extremely difficult as well. This job is better since Mike Riley rebuilt it but there is a reason OSU has won one conference title since 1954.

12. 153