Dethroning the King

The Southern California Trojans have ruled the PAC-10 almost since the day Pete Carroll arrived on campus.  They have won seven straight conference titles and produced top-flight NFL talent every year.  I really despise USC and I am waiting for the day that the NCAA will finally come down on Carroll and the Trojans for their multiple rules violations (Bush scandal mainly).  To be completely honest, it is probably jealousy but that's okay.  Is this the year someone in the PAC-10 will be able to step up and take down the king or will the Trojans win #8 in a row?  

10.  Washington State Cougars- 15 returning starters (8 offense, 7 defense), 1-11 (0-9)

Washington State was really bad last year.  They beat Washington by three points in the Apple Cup but did not come within 21 points in another conference game.  They gave up 66 points to Cal and Oregon State, 69 to USC and 58 to Stanford.  The good news is that they return 15 starters.  The bad news is that they return 15 starters from a team with the aforementioned results, did not add much talent through recruiting and they now have to go to USC, Oregon and California.  They will manage to beat Hawaii in Seattle for their only win.  

9.  Washington Huskies- 18 returning starters (8 offense, 10 defense), 2-10 (1-8)

Washington used to be a very proud football program.  They peaked under Rick Neuheisel before he was let go following a betting scandal.  They have brought former USC assistant Steve Sarkisian in to bring some pride and excitement to the Northwest.  The Huskies have a very good quarterback in Jake Locker but not a whole lot else, they went 0-12 last year for a reason.  I see them improving this year and getting back to respectability in a few years if Sarkisian stays.  Wins over Idaho and Washington State are about the best they can hope this season.

8.  Arizona State Sun Devils- 13 returning starters (7 offense, 6 defense), 4-8 (2-7)

The Sun Devils were able to succeed very quickly under Dennis Erickson.  They reached ten wins in 2007 and things appeared to set up for a run at a PAC-10 title last season.  Injuries and poor offensive play led to a disappointing 5-7 record.  This team should excel on defense with standout players like defensive end Dexter Davis and stud freshman linebacker Vontaze Burfict.  But, until proven otherwise, the lack of offense will keep this team from getting back to a bowl.  Just a quick point, as soon as Burfict gets eligible (should be any day now), he will be one of the best linebackers in the conference.  

7.  Stanford Cardinal- 17 returning starters (9 offense, 8 defense), 5-7 (3-6)

I really like Jim Harbaugh, he is a star in the making.  Stanford seems to agree, a donor recently donated over $10,000 to build Harbaugh a luxury bathroom.  Ahhhhh college athletics, the only place where a bathroom could be used a recruiting tool and it wouldn't be considered ridiculous.  The Cardinal finished 5-7 last year.  This team should be a little bit better but the schedule is tougher too.  I really like Toby Gerhart at running back, he is a bowling ball that never quits moving forward.  Redshirt freshman Andrew Luck will be starting at quarterback.  He was the eight-ranked prep quarterback two years ago and if he lives up to that billing and matures quickly, Stanford could go to a bowl game.  I have them beating Washington State, Wake Forest, San Jose State, Washington and Arizona State.  By the way, the Stanford tree is ridiculously stupid.  It makes me really happy that IU doesn't have a mascot.  

6.  Arizona Wildcats- 13 returning starters (6 offense, 7 defense), 7-5 (5-4)

Arizona saved Mike Stoops' job last season by going 8-5.  Longtime QB Willie Tuitama has graduated and he will be sorely missed.  Matt Scott, a true sophomore, has apparently won the starting job.  Running back Nic Grisgby is one of the best running backs in the conference which should help the transition for Scott.  However, three starters are gone from the offensive line.  The defensive line is a strength as the entire 2-deep returns.  Arizona's schedule is pretty difficult and I expect a small drop from last season's eight wins.  However, Mike Stoops will guide the Cats back to a bowl game.  They will lose at Iowa, at Oregon State, at Cal, at home to Oregon and at USC.  

T-3.  Oregon Ducks- 9 returning starters (4 offense, 5 defense), 9-3 (6-3)

I have three teams tied at 6-3 and head-to-head won't help determine the order.  So, they are in particular order.  Oregon went 10-3 last year, head coach Mike Bellotti retired but Chip Kelly was the offensive coordinator and the transition was smooth and seamless.  Jeremiah Masoli is going to have a breakout season at QB, Lagarrette Blount is a beast of a running back at 6'2" and 240 pounds and their is plenty of talent to plug in holes.  I have them losing to Cal, at UCLA and to USC.  The biggest and most intriguing game of the first weekend might not be Alabama-Virginia Tech.  It might be Oregon at Boise State.  If Boise State can beat the Ducks, they might go undefeated.  I have Oregon winning a high-scoring affair and getting a big feather in the PAC-10's cap.

T-3.  Oregon State Beavers- 10 returning starters (7 offense, 3 defense), 9-3 (6-3)

The Beavers can never be underestimated.  Mike Riley is one of the best coaches in the country, Lyle Moevao is an experienced QB, Jacquizz and James Rodgers are talented playmakers and they have a great homefield advantage.  Let's not forget the awesome uniforms either.  The concerns revolve around a defense that only returns three starters.  They will lose at USC, at Cal and at Oregon.

T-3.  UCLA Bruins- 16 returning starters (9 offense, 7 defense), 9-3 (6-3)

When Rick Neuheisel was hired as the new UCLA coach before last season, he drew some flack for saying that USC's monopoly on LA was over.  People laughed and Pete Carroll wasn't worried.  I am here to say that Neuheisel is right and things might change sooner rather than later.  He has been recruiting extremely well and UCLA will return to respectability very quickly (try this season).  I am not saying that the Bruins will be beating up on USC anytime soon but the monopoly will be over soon.  Look for redshirt freshman Kevin Prince to bring longtime stability and talent to the quarterback situation.  UCLA will fall at Arizona, at Oregon State and at USC.  

2.  USC Trojans- 12 returning starters (9 offense, 3 defense), 11-1 (8-1)

Yeah, I know, this is wishful thinking.  USC has been dropping one conference game that they shouldn't for the past few years and I hope they do it again.  My reasoning is that their game at California is early in the season, USC is starting a freshman who is 18 years old at quarterback, a defense that only returns three starters and the fact that Cal is very good.  The Trojans are loaded at running back, offensive line and nearly every defensive position.  I have questions about the wide receivers and Matt Barkley has never taken a college snap.  It would not surprise me at all if they went undefeated but I hope they don't.

1.  California Golden Bears- 15 returning starters (7 offense, 8 defense), 11-1 (8-1)

Jeff Tedford is a very good coach and he has had some really good teams at California.  Unfortunately for him, USC's reign of dominance has coincided with those good teams.  Jahvid Best is the best running back in the country, Kevin Riley is a good quarterback and the defense should be the best unit in the conference.  They are led 1st-team PAC-10 corner Syd'quan Thompson and Darian Hagan.  Cal gets USC at home and I am calling for the upset.  I have them losing at UCLA but they would beat USC head-to-head and take the PAC-10 title, I hope.