Pac 10 Preview
Maybe it’s my “East Coast bias”, but I look for the Pac 10 to be down this year, but overrated like always. USC is still the class of the confence, but Arizona St, Cal, and Oregon should give them a better run for their money this year.
1. USC – Last year, they were 7-2 in the conference. I don’t see 2 conference losses this year. I think they go down Oregon (and Ohio State out of conference) early, but roll after that. I foresee another BCS win for Pete Carroll, it’s just a matter of which one.
2. Oregon – The loss of Dennis Dixon and Jonathan Stewart takes a lot of explosiveness out of the offense, but they’ve been able to reload in the past and I see them doing that again this year too. But the schedule is tough (@USC, @ASU, @Cal, @rival Ore State, and @Purdue out of conference) and key losses at the skill positions will take time to develop. Still, I look for them to match last years 9 win total.
T-3. California – Despite having 8 starters returning on defense, they have just 4 on offense. Tedford is known for this offense and has plenty of holes to fill this year. I look for them to top last years 7-6 season, but not by much.
T-3. Arizona State – I don’t look for the Sun Devils to top last years 10 wins, but this is still a very good team. In fact, they are probably better than last years team, but too many winnable conference games are on the road and they play UGA out of conference. Rudy Carpenter does return his top two receivers and they should be potent on offense again. 8 wins is reasonable.
5. Arizona – Arizona needs to finish here to save Stoops job. With 10 returning starters on offense and a defense that’s better than it’s 3 returning starters would indicate (plus Stoops is great defensive coach), I look for the ‘Cats to return to the post season this year.
6. Oregon State – My main concern is the defensive front seven, they are all new. It will be tough to compete in this league with that much inexperience and their tough schedule (playing Utah and Penn St out of conference). Riley is a great coach, but don’t look for another 9 win season out of the Beavers this year.
T-7. UCLA – The Rick Neuheisel era begins at UCLA. Although, I called for them to be 8-4 last year, many ‘experts’ called for them to be much better and this team did nothing but disappoint in a year with tons of talent and a lighter schedule. Now, with 9 returning starters, a tough schedule (Tenn, Fresno and BYU out of conference), and a new coach, it could be tough to match last year’s 6-7. I don’t see the Bruins going bowling this year.
T-7. Stanford – The Card surprised a lot of teams last year and they got a surprising 3 conference wins. This is a young team, but still returns 16 starters. They are about a year away from a winning season, but if they can get to 6 wins before Nov 8th, they’ll be bowling. I don’t see it though. Give Harbaugh another 3 years and this team could challenge for the top of the Pac10.
9. Washington – Tyrone Willingham’s 4th season. This is about the time the wheels have come off at the other programs he’s been at. They play one of the nation’s toughest schedules and have just 11 upperclassmen starters. Ouch. They will be happy to match last years 4 wins.
10. Washington State – Paul Wulff took this job with a long road ahead of him. I call for Washington to have another losing season as the player make the adjustment to the new coach and Wulff tries to put things together. It could be a long season in Pullman.