George Kliavkoff predicts national championship for Pac-12 in 2023

George Kliavkoff has had a rough 2023 as commissioner of the Pac-12. However, he expects to be celebrating his conference at the end of the college football season.

Kliavkoff was present for Wednesday’s College Football Playoff meeting in Dallas. Conference commissioners discussed the future of the 12-team format amid realignment and expansion.

Nicole Auerbach of The Athletic got a quick comment from Kliavkoff after the meeting. In what may be the final season of the Pac-12, Kliavkoff expects one of his conference’s teams to hoist the CFP trophy.

USC’s national championship odds rank best among Pac-12 teams. In Year 2 under Lincoln Riley, the Trojans are off to a 1-0 start after a 56-28 win over San Jose State in Week 0. USC, ranked No. 6 in the initial AP Top 25, returns 2022 Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams to lead a high-powered offense, but Alex Grinch’s defense has raised concerns.

ESPN’s FPI gives USC a 2.7% chance of winning the national championship. Ohio State leads the way at 30.1%, followed by Alabama, Georgia, Texas, Clemson, LSU, Notre Dame and Michigan.

The Pac-12 has been represented just twice in the 4-team Playoff. Oregon went 1-1 in 2014, while Washington lost the Peach Bowl in 2016.