The 2016 college football season is here, and it’s time for conference previews and predictions. Here are Stewart Mandel’s projected Pac-12 standings for 2016. Photo: Kelvin Kuo

Pac-12 North No. 6: Oregon State (3-9, 1-8 Pac-12)

Gary Andersen’s team, 2-10 a year ago, should start showing improvement, but it may take longer than desired due to the strength of the division. Last year: 2-10, 0-9, beat Boise State in Hawaii Bowl. Photo: Thearon W. Henderson

Pac-12 North No. 5: Cal (5-7, 3-6 Pac-12)

Texas Tech grad transfer Davis Webb helps ease the loss of No. 1 pick Jared Goff, but the Bears’ defense will continue holding them back. Last year: 8-5, 4-5, beat Air Forces in Armed Forces Bowl. Photo: Cary Edmondson / USA TODAY Sports

Pac-12 North No. 4: Oregon (7-5, 5-4 Pac-12)

Unless FCS transfer QB Dakota Prukop proves to be another Vernon Adams Jr., the Ducks may endure their worst season in a decade. Last year: 9-4, 7-2, lost to TCU in Alamo Bowl. Photo: Christian Petersen/Getty Images/Christian Petersen

Pac-12 North T-No. 2: Washington State (9-3, 6-3 Pac-12)

QB Luke Falk and WR Gabe Marks highlight what should be another prolific Mike Leach offense, and the Cougars’ D keeps getting better. Last year: 9-4, 6-3, beat Miami in Sun Bowl. Photo: Kirby Lee

Pac-12 North T-No. 2: Washington (9-3, 6-3 Pac-12)

Chris Petersen’s program takes a step forward thanks to QB Jake Browning, RB Myles Gaskin and the league’s premier defense. Last year: 7-6, 4-5, beat Southern Miss in Heart of Dallas Bowl.

Pac-12 North No. 1: Stanford (10-2, 7-2 Pac-12)

The emergence of speedy back Bryce Love to complement Christian McCaffrey takes some pressure off the Cardinal’s new quarterback. Last year: 12-2, 8-1, beat Iowa in Rose Bowl. Photo: Kirby Lee

Pac-12 South No. 6: Arizona State (5-7, 2-7 Pac-12)

Todd Graham’s program feels like it peaked a couple of years ago. The Sun Devils will need to upgrade the nation’s worst passing defense. Last year: 6-7, 4-5, lost to West Virginia in Cactus Bowl. Photo: Christian Petersen

Pac-12 South No. 5: Colorado (5-7, 3-6 Pac-12)

Is this the year Mike MacIntyre’s Buffs finally get over the hump to .500? Webb’s decision to flip from Colorado to Cal did not help matters. Last year: 4-9, 1-8, no bowl game. Photo: Russell Isabella / USA TODAY Sports

Pac-12 South No. 4: Arizona (7-5, 4-5 Pac-12)

Junior QB Anu Solomon has a lot of experienced running backs and receivers around him. The Wildcats’ defense needs to get much better. Last year: 7-6, 3-6, beat New Mexico in New Mexico Bowl. Photo: Casey Sapio

Pac-12 South No. 3: USC (7-5, 5-4 Pac-12)

A brutal schedule that begins with Alabama and ends with Notre Dame does no favors to a team with a new quarterback and thin defensive line. Last year: 8-6, 6-3, lost to Wisconsin in Holiday Bowl. Photo: Harry How

Pac-12 South No. 2: Utah (8-4, 5-4 Pac-12)

The Utes will be strong up front, especially on defense. We’ll see whether juco transfer QB Troy Williams can upgrade the Utes’ passing game. Last year: 10-3, 6-3, beat BYU in Las Vegas Bowl. Photo: Russell Isabella

Pac-12 South No. 1: UCLA (9-3, 7-2 Pac-12)

Star QB Josh Rosen and breakout RB Soso Jamabo key coach Jim Mora’s attempt to shift the Bruins from spread to downhill pro-style. Last year: 8-5, 5-4, lost to Nebraska in Foster Farms Bowl. Photo: Leon Bennett/Getty Images/Leon Bennett

Pac-12 championship: Stanford over UCLA

The Bruins take a step forward in Josh Rosen’s sophomore year and reach the conference title game, but David Shaw’s Cardinal is still the best program in the league and walk away with another Pac-12 title. Photo: Andrew Holleran / College Spun / Yardbarker