Ted Miller, ESPN Senior Writer 9y

Questions for Pac-12 media days: North

Pac-12 media days run Thursday and Friday at Warner Bros Studios in Burbank, California, and the Pac-12 blog will be there slogging through the evasive and droning quotes while plumbing for revealing and interesting nuggets to share with you.

There are plenty of topics to cover, from five quarterback competitions of varying intrigue, to the rise of the South Division and the Pac-12's remarkable depth, as seven teams are solid candidates for preseason rankings.

Here's the interview schedule and list of players on hand. Arizona State, Oregon State, UCLA, Washington, Stanford and Colorado are up Thursday. Arizona, California, USC, Oregon, Washington State and Utah go Friday.

The preseason media poll will be released Thursday. Commissioner Larry Scott will speak on Thursday, and David Coleman, the Pac-12's new vice president of officiating, will talk on Friday.

As a public service, we've provided you with a cheat sheet so you can contemplate the world as a reporter might. Starting with the North Division, we're considering questions that are sure to be asked and less warm-and-fuzzy questions that should be asked.

(Unless otherwise noted, the questions are intended for the head coach.)

California Golden Bears, Sonny Dykes

What will be asked: Is Jared Goff the best quarterback you've coached and is he NFL ready?

What should be asked: What are your biggest reasons for optimism over your defense improving, and who breaks through this season as an all-conference candidate?

Oregon Ducks, Mark Helfrich

What will be asked: Where does your quarterback competition to replace Marcus Mariota stand?

What should be asked: So much of Oregon's rise to national prominence has been about locker room culture. Any concern that the process of enlisting Vernon Adams Jr. via graduate transfer from Eastern Washington could damage that culture? And if not, why not?

Oregon State Beavers, Gary Andersen

What will be asked: Where does your quarterback competition to replace Sean Mannion stand?

What should be asked: With just 13 returning starters and significantly different systems on both sides of the ball, is it reasonable for Beavers fans to expect improvement on last season's 5-7 finish?

Stanford Cardinal, David Shaw

What will be asked: With just three starters back, why do you think your defense can continue to be among the Pac-12's best?

What should be asked: What is your diagnosis of QB Kevin Hogan's inconsistent 2014 season, and what changed over the final three games?

Washington Huskies, Chris Petersen

What will be asked: Where does your quarterback competition to replace Cyler Miles stand?

What should be asked: With just 12 starters back after a disappointing 8-6 first season, where should fans look for hope this fall?

Washington State Cougars, Mike Leach

What will be asked: Where does your quarterback competition to replace Connor Halliday stand?

What should be asked: Is it fair to say the program took a step backward last season and, if so, why do you think that happened?

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