USC, Washington Picked to Win Their Divisions in Pac-12

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Southern California is the preseason pick to win the Pac-12 in a poll of football media, and defending champion Washington is favored to win the North Division.

The conference announced the results Wednesday before its preseason media availabilities in Hollywood.

USC got 28 of 52 overall first-place votes, beating out the Huskies' 22. The Trojans won their final nine games last season behind returning quarterback Sam Darnold, culminating in a thrilling Rose Bowl victory over Penn State.

Washington went 12-2 and won the conference title game over Colorado last season. The Huskies lost to Alabama in the College Football Playoff semifinal.

The Buffaloes are picked to finish fourth in the Pac-12 South behind Utah and UCLA.

Stanford is picked second in the North, followed by Washington State and Oregon.