College football is getting back into the swing of things little more than one month after Alabama beat Ohio State to capture the national championship.

Teams will return to practice fields this month for spring drills as the Football Bowl Subdivision turns to the 2021 season. Every program continues to work with safety protocols established to meet the demands of the COVID-19 pandemic while introducing incoming recruits and transfers to rosters set to balloon over the 85-scholarship limit.

Over in the Pac-12, two-time defending conference champion Oregon and Southern California are the teams to beat.

Where things stand heading into the spring for the Pac-12:

Arizona

2020 record: 0-5 (0-5 in the Pac-12)

Key players: WR Stanley Berryhill III, OT Donovan Laie, DE Jalen Harris

Biggest question: How fast can new coach Jedd Fisch flip the roster?

Fisch takes on a roster in desperate need of a massive, multiple-year overhaul. (His lack of experience as a head coach is one reason Fisch’s hiring has drawn more criticism than praise.) One way to speed up this roster flip is to dip into the transfer portal: Arizona has added eight players via the portal, including former Northwestern running back Drake Anderson and Western Michigan linebacker Treshaun Hayward. 

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Arizona State

2020 record: 2-2 (2-2)

Key players: QB Jayden Daniels, LB Merlin Robertson, CB Chase Lucas

Biggest question: How good is this defense?

The baseline for this defense is to rank among the best in the Pac-12. More should be expected. The Sun Devils return every starter and backup from last year’s defensive depth chart, led by a secondary full of fifth- and sixth-year seniors, after ranking third in the Pac-12 in yards allowed per play during the abbreviated 2020 season. There is a slight change at coordinator with former co-coordinator Antonio Pierce now alone in calling the shots, but the former NFL linebacker is ready for the promotion.

California

2020 record: 1-3 (1-3)

Key players: RB Damien Moore, C Michael Saffell, LB Kuony Deng

Biggest question: Can this offense be explosive?

It’s been a while. The Golden Bears finished last in the Pac-12 in yards per play in 2020. And in 2019. And in 2018 and 2017. Maybe the question should be rephrased: Can this offense be simply mediocre? Combined with the work coach Justin Wilcox has done on defense, just an average offense would be enough to win eight games during the regular season. Getting quarterback Chase Garbers back on track is a must.

Colorado

2020 record: 4-2 (3-1)

Key players: RB Jarek Broussard, LB Nate Landman, S Isaiah Lewis

Biggest question: Was 2020 the start of something great?

Colorado needs to get more at quarterback to build on the strong start under coach Karl Dorrell. Carried by a productive running game, the Buffaloes nearly won the South division despite finishing last in the Pac-12 in completion percentage (55.1%) and being one of three teams with more interceptions (seven) than touchdowns (six). Returning starter Sam Noyer will miss the spring following shoulder surgery.

Oregon

2020 record: 4-3 (3-2)

Key players: C Alex Forsyth, DE Kayvon Thibodeaux, LB Noah Sewell

Biggest question: Is the talent there for a national championship?

In a word: yes. Oregon has out-recruited the Pac-12 during coach Mario Cristobal’s tenure, putting together successive top-ranked signing classes to compile the sort of roster needed to win the national championship. What’s missing is elite quarterback play, and the Ducks will need a monster 2021 season out of former Boston College transfer Anthony Brown to take the next step into the College Football Playoff.

Oregon State

2020 record: 2-5 (2-5)

Key players: C Nathan Eldridge, OG Nous Keobounnam, LB Avery Roberts

Biggest question: Can this team stop the run?

The Beavers gave up 229 rushing yards to Washington State and Utah. Another 267 yards to Washington. A whopping 375 yards to Arizona State. Across seven games, OSU allowed 217.6 yards per game and 18 touchdowns. During an impressive 2019 season, the defense allowed just 4.3 yards per carry and 21 rushing scores across 12 games. The Beavers have to improve.

Southern California

2020 record: 5-1 (5-0)

Key players: QB Kedon Slovis, DE Drake Jackson, CB Chris Steele

Biggest question: Can USC develop receivers for Slovis?

Slovis, a junior, is a legitimate Heisman Trophy contender if USC wins the Pac-12. But the Trojans must develop some options in the passing game to replace Amon-Ra St. Brown and Tyler Vaughns, the team’s most productive receivers across the past three seasons. Drake London (33 receptions for 502 yards) will do the heavy lifting but USC will need production from Bru McCoy (21 for 236) and Colorado transfer K.D. Nixon.

Stanford

2020 record: 4-2 (4-2)

Key players: RB Austin Jones, OT Walter Rouse, DE Thomas Booker

Biggest question: Where’s the pass defense?

The Cardinal’s pass defense has cratered across the past two seasons, allowing a combined 39 touchdowns against 10 interceptions on 7.3 yards per attempt. Despite these struggles, last year’s team ended the year on a four-game winning streak to develop major momentum heading into offseason conditioning. But the defense needs to round back into form to take down Oregon in the North division.

UCLA

2020 record: 3-4 (3-4)

Key players: WR Kyle Phillips, TE Greg Dulcich, LB Caleb Johnson

Biggest question: Is this the year?

Chip Kelly’s first team won three games. His second won four. Last year’s team went 3-4 with all four losses by a single possession. Is 2021 when UCLA breaks through under one of the most revolutionary coaches in college football history? The pieces are there for the Bruins to contend in a deep South division.

Utah

2020 record: 3-2 (3-2)

Key players: WR Britain Covey, C Nick Ford, LB Devin Lloyd

Biggest question: Is QB Charlie Brewer the missing piece?

Baylor transfer Brewer is set to take over under center after spending four seasons as the Bears’ starter. He’s a great schematic fit for Utah’s scheme, which values quarterbacks capable of moving outside of the pocket, and brings enough experience to step right into the starting job this spring. But he’ll need to get on the same page with the Utes’ returning skill talent, with that process already underway.

Washington

2020 record: 3-1 (3-1)

Key players: TE Cade Otton, PG Jaxson Kirkland, LB Zion Tupuola-Fetui

Biggest question: Will the offense pick up the pace?

Given the inability to conduct a traditional spring and fall camp, it’s not too surprising the offense didn’t run at a higher pace in coach Jimmy Lake’s first year: UW averaged 66.8 offensive plays per game in 2020 after averaging 67.1 in 2019. This coming season will tell a better story about the future of the offense under Lake, who spoke of implementing new schemes when he replaced Chris Petersen a year ago.

Washington State

2020 record: 1-3 (1-3)

Key players: RB Max Borghi, WR Travell Harris, DE Brennan Jackson

Biggest question: Can QB Jarrett Guarantano reboot his college career?

Few quarterbacks needed a new start more than Tennessee transfer Guarantano, a multiple-year starter across one of the most disappointing periods in program history. He’ll get a reboot in coach Nick Rolovich’s system. With last year’s starter, Jayden de Laura, suspended during the spring for a violation of team rules, Guarantano has a clear path to the top of the depth chart.

Follow colleges reporter Paul Myerberg on Twitter @PaulMyerberg