Pat McAfee is aware that the Pac-12 is experiencing a mass exodus of programs, but he’s expecting the conference will thrive in 2023.

The Pac-12 enters the season with 5 teams in the AP poll: No. 6 USC, No. 10 Washington, No. 14 Utah, N0. 15 Oregon, and No. 18 Oregon State.

During the Week 0 edition of ESPN’s “College GameDay,” the analyst expressed that Pac-12 football should be extremely scintillating with all of the aforementioned teams vying for the top spot.

“This might be the most stacked Pac-12 in a long time,” McAfee said.

USC kicks off the season with a home matchup vs. San Jose State on Saturday (8 p.m. EST/Pac-12 Network).

In 2022, USC went 11-3 and quarterback Caleb Williams won the Heisman Trophy. However, ESPN’s Paul Finebaum cites the defense as why he doesn’t believe USC will make the College Football Playoff.

Reigning Pac-12 champion Utah begins its quest for a consecutive conference crown with a contest vs. visiting Florida on Thursday (8 p.m. EST/ESPN). Washington hosts Boise State in Week 1 (Sept. 2, 3:30 p.m. EST/ABC).

Oregon hosts Portland State on Sept. 2 (3 p.m. EST/Pac-12 Network). Clemson transfer quarterback DJ Uiagalelei makes his debut for Oregon State in its opener at San Jose State (Sept. 3, 3:30 p.m. EST/CBS).