Given that USC will have no more than one loss (Ohio St.) come week six when they play the Beav, they should be a top-ten team. If California can take care of business against its non-conference opponents, they could be 6-2 or better when they host the visiting Beavers.
OSU's two losses would have come at the hands of ranked in conference teams, and they would have gone 2-2 vs. top 25 competition (wins vs. Cincinnati and Oregon).
Oregon, California, USC, and OSU all have the ability to make a splash on the BCS scene either through at large bids and Rose Bowl invites. This would possibly allow a third place Pac-10 team to be invited to the Holiday Bowl.
Out of all three teams, OSU has the easiest non-conference schedule.
USC travels to the horseshoe (Ohio State) and South Bend against what should be a much better Notre Dame team.
California hosts Maryland—who they lost to last year— and travels to play Minnesota.
Oregon has the toughest non-conference slate facing Boise State on the road, and hosting Sugar Bowl Champ Utah and Purdue who should have beaten UofO if not for two missed field goals.
The Pac-10 gains some respect this year if they can manage to come out of their non-conference match ups with a good record. The entire conference benefits from this.
With a little help OSU finishes the season ranked anywhere from 17th-11th and eyes a Holiday Bowl. But you never know, OSU could earn an at large BCS bid if the cards align just right.
If.
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