2009 Pac-10 Preview: Can USC Noch Its Eighth Straight Conference Title?

USC looks to add to its record seven consecutive seasons on top of the Pac-10 in 2009, but this could be the year the Trojans are knocked off the conference's summit.

Oregon and Cal both look capable of unseating the Trojans, and Pete Carrol's squad has to visit both Autzen Stadium and Strawberry Canyon while dealing with the loss of quarterback Mark Sanchez.

10. Washington State

...Sorry, Coug fans, but what can you say? After a 2-11 season with five losses of 49 points or more in 2008, 2009 doesn’t appear to be any better in Pullman, as Paul Wulff faces the prospect of refilling a cupboard left completely bare by the previous regime.

9. Washington

Washington and new head coach Steve Sarkisian are looking to rebound from a disastrous 0-12 campaign in 2008 that left this once proud program the laughingstock of the West Coast.

Offensively, Washington gets quarterback Jake Locker back from the injury that ended his season in 2008. However, whether the run-first quarterback who completed only 47 percent of his passes his freshman year will fit into Sarkisian’s pro-style offense is yet to be seen.

Locker will have to be a one-man show either way, however, as there is little talent around him.

Defensively, Washington returns eight starters, but that is like saying the entire cast of Ishtar is returning for a sequel after opponents completed nearly 70 percent of passes in 2008.

There is hope for Husky fans, however, as home games against Idaho and Washington State should mean the nation’s longest losing streak will come to an end.

8. UCLA

Many people believe UCLA will be the surprise team of the Pac-10 in 2009. These people couldn’t be more wrong.

UCLA boasts a fast, athletic defense that is one of the conference’s best. DT Brian Price is perhaps the best defensive player in the conference not named Taylor Mays, and CB Alteran Verner is among the conferences top defensive backs.

Unfortunately for the Bruins, this is the Pac-10, not the SEC. It takes a decent offense to win games. While many people think UCLA’s offense will be improved because of coaches Rick Neuheisel and Norm Chow.

However, the Bruins boast very little talent offensively. Redshirt freshman QB Kevin Prince is faced with an offensive line starting 2 true freshman and two sophomores with little or no game experience. The Bruins also face a lack of playmakers at wide receiver or running back.

If the defense can create points with turnovers, they could pull off a couple of upsets, especially with Cal and Oregon coming to the Rose Bowl. However, the lack of any discernible talent on offense will keep the Bruins out of the postseason.

7. Arizona State

The Arizona State Sun Devils look to rebound from a 2008 campaign that featured a six-game losing streak and no bowl game after many had predicted they would be one of the conference’s top teams.

Offensively the Sun Devils will need to improve their line, which has been porous the last two years. The Sun Devils will start a senior quarterback, Danny Sullivan; however, he has only scant on field experience, having spent the last few years backing up Rudy Carpenter.

He will have a talented receiving corps to throw to, but the Sun Devils will need to find a running back to take the pressure off of the passing game.

The Defense should be the strength of Dennis Erickson’s squad, led by a stingy Defensive Line featuring DE Dexter Davis and DT Lawrence Guy. The secondary should also be a strength behind CB Omar Bolden.

If the Sun Devils can muster a decent offensive effort, they could find themselves playing in bowl. However, their inexperienced backfield and generally pathetic Offensive Line will mean another losing season in Tempe

6. Stanford

The Stanford Cardinal are a popular pick to surprise in 2009, as head coach Jim Harbaugh has injected new life into the program.

Offensively, the Cardinal are led by a power rushing game driven by workhorse running back Toby Gehrhardt and fullback Owen Marecic. The burden of resurrecting Stanford’s passing game, ninth in the Pac-10 last year, falls to touted redshirt freshman Andrew Luck, who many feel could be the Pac-10’s next breakout star.

He will be backed up by Tavita Pritchard, who I believe is entering his 12th year at Stanford. The line returns three starters from last year's strong unit, but two freshman starters could be a concern for the Cardinal.

Defensively the Cardinal rely on a disruptive attacking style, as they lack the athletes and speed necessary to combat the Pac-10’s higher caliber offenses.

They should fare well against the run with a solid front seven featuring 2008 freshman All-American Tom Kaiser. The secondary looks like it will be a weakness. They will need to create more turnovers in 2009 after only forcing 21 in 2008.

Stanford should be solid running the ball and stopping the run, and if Andrew Luck can preform the Cardinal will find themselves bowling for the first time since 2001.

5. Arizona

The Wildcats are coming off a successful 2008 season that netted an 8-5 record and a Las Vegas Bowl win in their first postseason appearance since 1999.

The loss of quarterback Willie Tuitama and several key Offensive Lineman, most notably tackle Eben Britton, from the 2008 Pac-10’s third-ranked scoring offense in 2008 are perhaps the biggest reason for concern for the Wildcats.

The return of running backs Keola Antolin and Nick Grisby, tight end Rob Gronkowski, as well as a talented receiving core will make life easier for Arizona quarterbacks Matt Scott and Nick Foles, whoever earns the starting nod.

The defense should be the strength for the Wildcat’s in 2009, as seven starters return from 2008. The D is led by a talented secondary that is among the conference’s best. Combined with a good pass rush, Arizona should force offenses to test their run defense, which could be a weakness for the Wildcats.

Arizona will rely on its defense and the running game to win games this year, and should find their way back into the postseason.

4. Oregon State

Oregon State’s run for the Roses was cut heartbreakingly short by a 65-38 thrashing at the hands of Oregon in 2008, but Mike Riley’s squad looks to be back at it again in 2009.

They are led by diminutive running back Jacquizz Rodgers, 2008’s Pac-10 Offensive player of the year. The key for the Beavers will be keeping him healthy behind an offensive line filled with question marks and without a viable backup RB.

Sean Canfield appears to have won the starting quarterback job, but Mike Riley has said that Lyle Moevao, last year’s starter who is recovering from shoulder surgery, isn’t out of the competition. Whoever takes the snaps will need to find a deep threat at receiver after the departure of Sammie Stroughter.

Defensively, coordinator Mark Banker's unit will once again be among the Pac-10's best. The Beavers look to have a stingy front seven, led by LB Keaton Krstic and DT Stephan Paea and should continue to play well vs. the run. The secondary will need to replace all four starters, however, and the Beavers could struggle vs. the pass.

This could be the year OSU gets off to a good start, as they face a very easy opening slate. Look for Oregon State to once again finish in the top of the conference with eight or nine wins.

3. Cal

Jeff Tedford’s Cal Bears come into 2009 with the most pressure of any team in the Pac-10, as they have morphed into the trendy pick to upset USC and win the conference.

Offensively they are led by running back Jahvid Best, the most dangerous long ball threat in the Bay Area since Barry Bonds.

The key for offense will be an improved passing game. Talented but inconsistent junior QB Kevin Riley has split snaps with Nate Longshore the last two years, and will need to step up in 2009 for the Golden Bears.

He will be throwing to a talented group of receivers led by Marvin Jones, who 2008 with an injury. Another key for the Bears will be replacing C Alex Mack, their best player last year.

Defensively Cal returns 8 players from last year's squad, including every player from their secondary and defensive line. The secondary is led by cornerback Syd’quan Thompson and should be strong, will the solid defensive line. However, replacing three of the four linebackers in their 3-4 scheme could be problematic.

Cal will threaten for the Pac-10 title in 2009, but question marks in the passing game will keep them from their first Rose Bowl since 1949.

2. USC

Pete Carroll and the Trojans come into 2009 looking to extend their record of six consecutive years winning the Pac-10. They will have to not only replace departed QB Mark Sanchez, but both coordinators, Nick Holt and Steve Sarkisian.

They will be led by an offensive line that is perhaps the best in the nation, and is led by center Kristopher O'Dowd, considered by many to be the best lineman in the country.

The Trojans also boast an athletic stable of running backs and receivers, though whether any of the touted backs will step up is a major question mark.

Quarterback will be the weakness of the Trojans, as true freshman Matt Barkley has been tabbed the starter, despite the fact that many people believe Sophomore Aaron Corp, who missed a week of fall practice with a knee injury, outplayed him in the offseason.

Whoever starts, their lack of experience could be exposed in road games at Ohio State, Notre Dame, Cal, and Oregon. Injuries have become an issue for USC's offense

Defensively the Trojans replace 8 starters, mostly on the front seven. USC should just reload, however, as they have five-star athletes at every position. Many of these players, most notably DE Everson Griffen, have been plagued by iconsistancy throughout their careers however.

USC's secondary is led by a terrific secondary featuring safety Taylor Mays, the best player in College Football. USC will once again have the best defense in the conference.

USC simply has too many question marks at quarterback, in the caching staff, with injuries and especially the schedule, and will be knocked off the top of the conference for the first time since 2002.

1. Oregon

For the first time in six years, a new team will top the Pac-10 standings in 2009. Chip Kelly moves to head coach, and hopes to keep up the same offensive production the Ducks have experienced with him at Offensive Coordinator.

The Offense returns quarterback Jeremiah Masoli, who seemed to break out at the end of 2008, as well as LaGarette Blount, who rushed for 1002 yards and 17 touchdowns last year as the No. 2 option last year.

The Ducks will surround Masoli, Blount, and TE Ed Dickson with a talented but unproven group of receivers led by speedster Jamere Holland, a USC transfer. Offensive line is a concern for the Ducks, who lost three starters from last year’s group. Four returners with starting experience will look to ease these concerns.

The Oregon defense will be led by a fast and talented line backing corps featuring Spencer Paysinger and Casey Mathews that will rank among the conference’s best. The secondary will need to improve on what has been Oregon’s Achilles heel, pass defense.

The defensive line may be Oregon’s biggest area for concern, as three starters, including All-American Nick Reed, graduate. The Ducks appear to have lots of depth and speed up front, but appear to lack a big body in the middle.

Oregon gets Cal, USC, and Oregon State in Autzen Stadium, which could make 2008 a special year for the Ducks.