Brock Osweiler threw for 5,082 yards and 33 touchdowns at ASU. Photo by Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-US PRESSWIRE

The Pac-12 is losing five juniors who likely will be first-round picks in this year’s NFL draft, plus its two best running backs — Oregon’s LaMichael James and Washington’s Chris Polk.

And that first-round number could be six if Arizona State linebacker Vontaze Burfict can get his act together.

Yeah, we’ve heard that one before.

James could slip into the first round, too.

As it stands now, nine juniors have declared early, with Arizona State quarterback Brock Osweiler announcing his intentions this afternoon. That presumably wouldn’t have happened if not for the Sun Devils’ coaching change.

Anyway, there will be a significant talent drain from the Pac-12, which wasn’t all that hot in 2011 outside of Oregon, Stanford and USC.

Seven of the 11 first-team all-conference juniors are leaving, with Stanford linebacker Chase Thomas still undecided.

Good news for the Pac-12, bad news for the rest of the Pac-12 South, is that USC is in great shape to make a run for the national title because quarterback Matt Barkley opted to come back for his senior season despite being a potential top five pick.

Question his business sense if you will, but he’ll have a lot of fun throwing to the nation’s best pair of receivers — Robert Woods and Marqise Lee.

Players have until Jan. 15 to declare for the draft. Here is how it shapes up right now:

GOING

*Rankings from CBSSports.com’s mock draft from senior analyst Rob Rang

Vontaze Burfict, LB, ASU
David DeCastro, OG, Stanford (No. 17)
Matt Kalil, LT, USC (No. 3)
LaMichael James, RB, Oregon
Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford (No. 1)
Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford (No. 13)
Brock Osweiler, QB, Arizona State
Nick Perry, DE, USC (No. 9)
Chris Polk, RB, Washington

Here is what Rang wrote on CBSSports.com: “If considering Burfict with anything higher than a third-round pick, a team will have to be convinced through interviews that he’s going to demonstrate better discipline, commitment — and quite frankly, production — than he did at any point in his junior season.”

STAYING

Matt Barkley, QB, USC
Johnathan Franklin, RB, UCLA
Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah
T.J. McDonald, S, USC

Franklin isn’t a superstar, although he has led the Bruins in rushing the past two seasons. He did say after the bowl game that he would the draft, but he announced this week he would return. Lotulelei won the Morris Trophy as the league’s best defensive lineman, as voted by the Pac-12′s offensive linemen.

DECIDING

Kenjon Barner, RB, Oregon
Datone Jones, DE, UCLA
Chase Thomas, OLB, Stanford

Losing two running backs would hurt, although the Ducks still have super speedy De’Anthony Thomas to plug in at running back and become an instant Heisman contender. Chase Thomas gives Stanford a major needed game-changer on defense; he had 17.5 tackles for loss, including 8.5 sacks, and five forced fumbles.

The Arizona Republic had seven of its writers/media partners predict the score for the Arizona-Arizona State … and five went for the upset.

Yep, five of them are on record as picking the Sun Devils, a 5.5-point underdog to beat the Wildcats at Arizona Stadium.

Here is a sampling of opinion from up north (click on this link for all the predictions), and keep reading below for my take:

The Zona Zoo made a statement in the 2008 game, which Arizona won 31-10. Chris Morrison-US PRESSWIRE

Dan Bickley, Arizona Republic columnist
Nothing makes sense about this rivalry. Sometimes the better team loses. That will be the case in 2010, as ASU surprises the Wildcats with team speed and a hot quarterback. Brock Osweiler looked a lot like Andrew Walter in a brilliant showing against UCLA, and appears to be seizing his latest opportunity. The Sun Devils are catching their rivals at the right time. ASU 31, Arizona 27

Paola Boivin, Arizona Republic columnist
This one has the makings of a down-to-the-wire heart-stopper. Brock Osweiler has added a bounce to ASU’s step but the Wildcats have a home crowd on their side. Hard to believe a Sun Devils’ win would give both teams the same conference record (4-5). How did that happen? Arizona 35, ASU 34

Doug Haller, Arizona Republic writer
Arizona has a tough task. Playing the top team in the country (Oregon) one week and your chief rival the next can’t be easy. Can the Wildcats’ match last week’s intensity? On the other side, Brock Osweiler’s performance against UCLA has revived ASU. The Sun Devils feel confident, knowing they have played well (the Cal trip excluded) on the road. The guess here is this contest comes down to a field goal. Thomas Weber has missed his share of big kicks this season. This time he delivers. ASU 23, Arizona 20

OK, so what do I think?

I have had a hard time this week convincing myself that Arizona is going to win this game, but it seems as if the Phoenix media is trying even harder the other way. Each of the seven media members cited Osweiler as a positive factor for Arizona State in this matchup.

Really? A sophomore making his second career start and first of the season? Osweiler looked sharp last week in relief of an injured Steven Threet, but, c’mon, he was throwing against UCLA.

For as leaky as Arizona’s defense has been in the past few weeks, it is still better than whatever the young Bruins are putting out on the field. And after facing Andrew Luck, Matt Barkley and Darron Thomas (and all those other super-speedy Ducks), I’m guessing the Wildcats aren’t living in fear of Brock Osweiler.

On the other hand, Arizona looks a bit whipped, physically and emotionally. The Cats are limping to the finish line.

“We’re beaten, a little down,” offensive tackle Adam Grant said Monday.

“You just have to get back up. I think the guys can do it. We’ve played three straight good teams and we have one more to go. But, hopefully, mentally, we’re there and we get the plays done that we need to get done. Hopefully, we came through and play for each other, because that’s what it’s about.”

It’s about finishing an acceptable 8-4, which is 100 times better than finishing at 7-5 record with a four-game losing streak and a sub-.500 conference record.

Anyway, bottom line …

I like the matchup for Arizona, because the ASU offense doesn’t have the power of Stanford or USC, or have the other-worldly skill of Oregon. This should be more like the Arizona defense from the first two-thirds of the season.

Meanwhile, the Wildcats offense is capable of moving the ball against anyone. Can it convert better in the red zone? That’s the question.

As far as motivation … if the Arizona team that showed up for the first half against the Ducks makes a 60-minute appearance, you can start planning those trips to the Alamo Bowl.

And, really, why wouldn’t that team show up?

Arizona 27, Arizona State 24.

Arizona is hoping for a return of the sack-happy ways for Brooks Reed (left). Photo by David Kadlubowski, The Arizona Republic

Game day. Arizona is likely headed to the Alamo Bowl with a victory. ASU hasn’t given up on its bowl hopes, even if it takes an act of God (the NCAA) to do so.

The Wildcats are trying to avoid a four-game losing streak to end the regular season. “We’re frustrated and determined at the same time,” UA coach Mike Stoops said.

The Sun Devils are trying to avoid a three-game losing streak in the series. “I have been in a lot of other rivalries and this is as big as any,” ASU coach Dennis Erickson said.

Let’s go to the numbers:

0 — Sacks for the Arizona defense in the past three games. Blame it on the quality of the opponents’ offensive lines, their deceptive schemes, mobile quarterbacks … whatever. It can’t happen again. Arizona State’s offensive line isn’t that great, its spread offense isn’t that deceptive and Brock Osweiler isn’t exactly Darron Thomas.

Stoops says ASU likes to get the ball out of the quarterback’s hand quickly (not unlike what the Wildcats do). OK, then. Let’s see UA take its chances and have the cornerbacks crowd the receivers, making Osweiler hold the ball long enough for the pressure to get to him.

Senior defensive ends Ricky Elmore and Brooks Reed need to go out in sack-master style.

1 — Case of hyperbole from Erickson. Look, I think I appreciate the elite skills of Arizona junior receiver Juron Criner as much as anyone, but I don’t think I would go as far as Erickson. He said this week that Criner “is a playmaker like I have never seen.” That’s a little much.

Erickson also said Criner “is probably as good as a receiver as there is in college football.” There are a couple of exceptions, but, OK, that basically rings true.

3 — Kickoff returns for touchdowns for Arizona State this season, all by different players … and the Sun Devils had another return stopped inside the Wisconsin 1-yard line. ASU is fast, these guys are scary, and UA kickoff man John Bonano needs to blast a few into the end zone (which hasn’t happened all that frequently).

3.5 — The over-under line on the combined personal foul penalties Thursday night between ASU linebacker Vontaze Burfict and Arizona safety Adam Hall. It’s so bad for Burfict that he’s now getting personal fouls for arguing about personal fouls.

6 — Senior Nic Grigsby’s place on Arizona’s career rushing list. There was a time early last season when he was on pace to challenge Trung Candidate’s school record of 3,824 yards. Injuries and a subsequent time share with Keola Antolin crushed those thoughts.

But Grigsby, returning last week from an ankle injury, played well and ran hard at Oregon. He’s a senior; he appears healthy; he’s motivated. Get him the ball.

9 — Losses on the road for Arizona State in its past 12 tries. Do you really want to lose to these guys at home?

10 — Wins against Arizona State by current Arizona special teams coordinator/defensive ends coach Jeff Hammerschmidt as a player (1986-90) and assistant coach (1993-95, 2008-present). That’s 10 wins and only one loss … which came in 1992 when he was a grad assistant.

15 — Catches for UA sophomore receiver Terrence Miller in the past two games for 212 yards. He had seven receptions through nine games. Taking advantage of Bug Wright’s absence (still out because of indefinite suspension), the 6-4 Miller is valuable to the team as the over-the-middle threat that Arizona has missed since Rob Gronkowski last suited up in 2008.

“I’m not really surprised when I get the ball, just more ready,” Miller said. “I’ve just been ready.”

23 — Victories for Arizona in the past three seasons. Only Oregon and USC have more among Pac-10 teams (Stanford also has 23).

33 — Days it has been since Arizona’s last victory, 29-12 at UCLA. “I’m not pleased with the way we’ve competed in some of these games over the last month,” Stoops said. “It’s been a long time since we’ve won. Hopefully, we can take our frustrations out on our next opponent, which just happens to be Arizona State.”

44 — Arizona’s margin of defeat this season against Stanford and Oregon. ASU lost to those two teams by a combined 15 points. Not all of that difference can be explained by ASU getting those teams at home, and the Cats having to play them on the road.

Did he or didn't he? Arizona Republic file photo

50-50 — Chances that ASU’s John Jefferson actually made “The Catch” in the end zone in 1975. Can we go to the super slow-mo high def replay? No? Well, let the debate rage …

150 — Passes attempted by Arizona’s Nick Foles in the past three games. Too many? Where the heck is the running game? Does it matter if the Wildcats are moving the ball? Oh yeah, the Wildcats have to do much better in the red zone.

380 — Passing yards for ASU’s Osweiler off the bench last week in relief of an injured Steven Threet. Osweiler, a sophomore, will make his second career start, the first of the season, Thursday night. The ASU offense doesn’t change with the switch in quarterbacks, and Osweiler’s inexperience might be offset by the jolt of excitement he gave the Devils last week.

And then there’s his 6-8 height.

“It’s lovely,” ASU wide receiver Mike Willie told the L.A. Daily News after last week’s game against UCLA. “He can see everything. If he can see everything, I can see everything, and we’re on the same page. Man, it’s lovely.”

40,000 – Dollars that Stoops will earn in bonuses if the Cats win Thursday night.

He earns $30,000 if the Wildcats finish 16th through 25th in the final BCS standings. Arizona is hanging in at No. 23 this week, but would fall out with a loss. And Stoops’ victory bonus increases from $30,000 to $40,000 if UA goes from seven to eight wins in a regular season.

An extra 40 large on top of a $1.1 million contract? Pretty nice post-Thanksgiving gravy.

ASU quarterback Brock Osweiler strikes the Heisman pose (in reverse) as he runs against UCLA on Friday. Photo by Matt Kartozian-US PRESSWIRE

Arizona State will have a new starting quarterback for Thursday night’s game at Arizona.

Sun Devils coach Dennis Erickson said Saturday that sophomore Brock Osweiler would get the call after an excellent relief effort against UCLA. Osweiler came in for ASU’s third possession after Steven Threet suffered a concussion.

ASU trailed 10-0 at the time, and would fall behind 17-0, but Arizona State dominated the rest of the way, winning 55-34. Osweiler completed 27 of 36 passes for 380 yards and four touchdowns, without an interception.

“He was just outstanding,” Erickson said after the game.

“He didn’t turn the football over and he threw it accurately. He missed some throws, but he didn’t make any mistakes. The guy is a tremendous athlete and a great competitor. He started running and giving himself a second chance. It was a great effort by Brock.”

Threet has started every game this season after winning a competition with Osweiler through spring and fall camps. He has had good moments in Arizona’s passing spread offense, but his 16 interceptions also show questionable decision-making.

“Steve may be cleared (to play), but at best, he’ll be our back-up,” Erickson was quoted as saying Saturday in the Arizona Republic. Third-stringer Samson Szakacsy, a junior, will get extended work in practice.

Osweiler, who is 6-foot-8 and 242 pounds, also started once last season — against Oregon on Nov. 14. This season, he has completed 40 of 60 passes for 530 yards, with five touchdowns and no interceptions.

Personal best

Arizona quarterback Nick Foles set a personal record with 448 passing yards. He completed 29 of 54 passes for 448 yards, with three touchdowns and one interception, on a chilly, rainy night.

“I haven’t seen quarterback play like that in a long time,” Oregon coach Chip Kelly said in his postgame news conference. “Nick Foles is a really, really good quarterback. He did a great job extending the play. He played great tonight.”

Foles’ previous career high was 440 passing yards in a loss this season to Oregon State.

Foles has attempted 150 passes in the past three games. They have all been losses, despite the fact the Wildcats have compiled 1,324 yards in that span.

Problem is, the Wildcats have been inefficient in the red zone … and the defense has yielded 1,435 yards in the past three games.

Big play for Criner

Arizona receiver Juron Criner had two touchdown receptions in the first quarter against Oregon, including an 85-yard catch-and-run in which he freed himself down the middle on the a double move against cornerback Cliff Harris.

“He beat me,” Harris was quoted as saying in the Portland Tribune. “It was one-on-one and he got me on the double move. He made a few plays here and there, but we made a few plays here and there.”

Criner finished with just three catches for 109 yards. He has eight touchdowns this season, three off the school record, held by Mike Thomas and T Bell.

Criner, a junior, is fifth on UA’s career list for TD catches with 18. Bell, who played from 1972-75) is first with 30.