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The Arizona State Sun Devils have been picked second behind USC in a preseason poll of media members announced Wednesday morning.

The Trojans, whom ASU will face in its season opener on Nov. 7, received 220 points and 32 first-place votes while ASU tallied 181 with two first-place votes. Defending South champion Utah was third with 168 but the Utes had four first-place votes.

Rounding out the South are UCLA (109), Colorado (63) and Arizona (57).

The Sun Devils, 8-5 last season with a win over Florida State in the Sun Bowl, were also picked second in three of the four national football publications.

MORE: ASU football projection: ESPN predicts just 3 wins for Sun Devils

In the North, Oregon has been pegged first  with 35 of 38 first-place votes and 222 points with California second with 176 points and the other three first-place votes. Then it is Washington (161), Stanford (105), Oregon State (76) and Washington State (58).

Oregon was also the media members pick to win the conference title game with 21 votes, six more than USC.

Last season Oregon and Utah were the respective division winners with Oregon beating Utah in the championship game 37-15.

MORE: Pac-12 football schedule rankings: Oregon, USC have easiest paths to conference title game

Reach the reporter at [email protected] or 602 444-4783.  Follow her on Twitter @MGardnerSports.

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