Cam Rising says Pac-12 quarterback talent makes preparing easier

The Pac-12 might be a mess off the field but for the 2023 season, the product should be very good. Quarterback play is going to be a huge reason why, with multiple teams having elite quarterbacks trotting out onto the field. One of those is Utah‘s Cam Rising, a real veteran in the conference who is looking to take another step forward.

Rising appreciates the quarterback play in the Pac-12, saying it makes his job easier on a weekly basis. He believes scouting opposing defense can be tough when the quarterback play is not up to par. Watching conference foes go up against the likes of Caleb Williams, Bo Nix, etc. gives Rising a better of understanding where they struggle.

“For me it makes preparing that much more easy because you have a great quarterback to watch each and every week,” Rising said at Pac-12 Media Days. “Sometimes when you have some guys playing bad ball, it makes it harder to watch and you can’t take any pieces of knowledge, pieces of their game that they were out there using.”

More times than not, Utah will be facing off against those good quarterbacks. Oregon, USC, and Washington are all on the schedule within a four-week period. Oregon State will be a challenge as well with DJ Uiagalelei, a recent Los Angeles Dodgers draft pick, joining the program.

A majority of those four will face off against one another too, giving Rising some quality tape to watch in preparation. This will then give Utah the opportunity to install plays, hoping to execute at the same level as other quarterbacks around the conference.

“Having great quarterbacks to watch week in and week out is going to make it that much easier to go in there and watch, just see this is what they did on that play, we can try to do something similar with that, just take it from there and try to learn, take advantage of having such a good conference,” Rising said.

Rising has had success in the Pac-12, playing in two conference title games. Both have resulted in wins and sent Utah to two consecutive Rose Bowls. However, the College Football Playoff has eluded the Utes to this point.

Part of the reason is due to the Pac-12’s depth and quarterback play. It’s troubled Rising over the past two years but he still has a positive spin on facing tough competition.