While variables such as injuries come into play, one way to judge the talent level of a college football team is by the number of players invited to this month's NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
The 2013 list of invitees suggests that a couple of Pac-12 teams really underachieved in 2012. The obvious one is USC, which is sending six players to Indianapolis after a 7-6 season. The other is California, with five entrants – lending support to the notion that former coach Jeff Tedford's firing was justified.
Another theory is that the fewer players a school sends to the combine, the more talent it is returning.
Here's the list of Pac-12 invitees:
Arizona – quarterback Matt Scott.
Arizona State – kicker Josh Hubner, defensive back Keelan Johnson, linebacker Brandon Magee.
Cal – receiver Keenan Allen, running back C.J. Anderson, running back Marc Anthony, offensive lineman Brian Schwenke, defensive back Steve Williams.
Colorado – offensive lineman David Bakhtiari, tight end Nick Kasa.
Oregon – linebacker Kiko Alonso, running back Kenjon Barner, defensive back John Boyett, defensive lineman Dion Jordan, offensive lineman Kyle Long.
Oregon State – defensive back Jordan Poyer, receiver Markus Wheaton.
Stanford – tight end Zach Ertz, running back Stepfan Taylor, linebacker Chase Thomas, tight end Levine Toilolo.
UCLA – offensive lineman Jeff Baca, tight end Joseph Fauria, running back Johnathan Franklin, defensive lineman Datone Jones, kicker Jeff Locke.
USC – quarterback Matt Barkley, center Khaled Holmes, defensive back T.J. McDonald, defensive back Nickell Robey, defensive back Jawanza Starling, receiver Robert Woods.
Utah – defensive lineman Star Lotulelei, defensive lineman Joe Kruger.
Washington – defensive back Desmond Trufant.
Washington State – receiver Marquess Wilson.</
