The 2010 season is nearly upon us. Spring games are right around the corner, and teams are making their last minute adjustments before the real deal starts.
That means prediction time. "Experts" are letting out predictions, magazines are working as we speak, and here at Bleacher Report (though the draft steals our thunder), we're hard at work too.
Instead of a traditional preview I decided to spice it up...by soundtracking each team in the Pac-10 conference, complete with YouTube videos and runner up's.
This means there is a wide variety of music set as theme songs in preview of the 2010 season.
Some may surprise you, and a few might have you screaming with angst. Be sure to comment and let me know the theme song you'd have chosen!
(Thanks to Michael, AKA, My Dad's Son for his contributions!)
Arizona—U2, I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For
The Wildcats in three words: Open, mediocre, Tutogi
All the position battles are still wide open. This includes the safety, all linebacker spots, defensive tackle, and cornerback. Whether this is good or bad we'll have to wait and see.
They still run a middle of the pack team, and aren't what you'd think of as "contenders". Especially after losing key players in the offseason. And the Wildcats still haven't found a way to get to a Rose Bowl.
Taimi Tutogi is a guy whose name I'd remember if I was a Wildcat fan. He really impressed at the spring games, and may contribute towards whatever success Arizona has next year.
So why U2?
Well, I picked a song that wasn't a standout, but belongs to a band of somewhat high caliber...depending on who you talk to. Which fits Arizona's MO.
They aren't standouts, but in the Pac-10 they're above average...just nowhere else. Arizona still hasn't found a way to win a Rose Bowl.
And there's the fact that "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" conveys the message of their open position battles.
Runner up: Keri Hilson/Kayne, Knock You Down
Arizona State—Owl City, Fireflies
Arizona State in three words: Defense, Injury, Sloppy
It's clear from practice and scrimmage that the defense is much better than the offense. The passing game was horribly littered with interceptions, and the running game got them nowhere. This may have to do with...
Injuries. Quite a few starters and other players have reported either pain or injury that's prevented them from performing up to par.
This team in a nutshell: sloppy, sloppy, sloppy.
At this time, Arizona State, along with the Cougars, are the laughingstock of the Pac-10.
Therefore Fireflies fits. It's the laughingstock of radio, and it's simply painful to listen to. It sounds bad, doesn't make sense, and you want to turn it off immediately.
Remind you of anyone?
Runner up: Beatles, Fixing a Hole
California—Spose, I'm Awesome
California in three words: Riley, Offense, Mediocre
Without Jahivd Best, Kevin Riley will be seeking to heat things up with the passing game. He looked good at the spring game, and I think Cal may give the Pac-10 a bit of a rough time.
Going hand-in-hand with Riley would be their offense. The Bears offense is clearly better than their defense, so look for a lot of shoot-out type games if Cal's going to win.
Cal is still a mediocre team that thinks they're somebody. Don't fool yourselves...the Golden Bears don't stand a chance at the Rose Bowl.
This song is perfect for Cal. They're total posers in the Pac-10, and overrated every year. Don't get any ideas Cal fans..."I'm Awesome" is basically about a poser thinking he's awesome. That's Cal.
Runner up: Creedence Clearwater Revival, Someday Never Comes
Oregon—AC/DC, Back In Black
Oregon in three words: Fast, Explosive, Jailtime
Oregon runs arguably the fastest offense in the nation. Unfortunately it wasn't enough to beat Ohio State...but let's skip that part.
Masoli and co. ran over teams left and right throughout 2009. But with the new play-calling system, new quarterback, and new uniforms...can they repeat?
Going hand in hand with fast has to be explosive. The Ducks would shoot out, march down the field, and score before you had time to make a popcorn run.
The one we're all thinking of right now has to be jailtime. There's been a whole hoot of Ducks arrested over the past few months.
Will they ever learn? Is it Chip Kelly's fault? I'm under the assumption the answer is no to both questions. There's no way it's Chip's fault, but this team needs to get it's act together fast.
I love Back In Black...it's one of the only "classic" songs I'll listen too. It's fast, explosive, gets you pumped up, and fits the Ducks MO.
Oregon is back...(probably with black uniforms) more determined than ever, and everyone's looking to take them down.
Runner up: Kayne/Drake/Lil Wayne/Eminem, Forever
Oregon State—Ne Yo, Mad
Oregon State in three words: Rodgers, Mad, Revenge
The Rodgers bros are pretty much the heart and soul of this team. Without them, the Beavers would be nothing. Period.
The Dam Workers are mad, losing Canfield, and now it's their final year with Jacquiz and James Rodgers. They have to win the Pac-10 this year, or it will be a long, long time before their next shot.
It's revenge against the Ducks this year. That'll be a killer game, and the Beavs may just pull off the upset.
The theme of the song is Mad, and it fits. But the lyrics are kind of a stretch. Yes, it's talking about a girl...but get past that. The point is that the Dam Workers are mad.
Oregon State wants to win the Rose Bowl. They're both mad over nothing. Not necessarily the case for the Beavers, but the point is that they can change things.
Runner up: Dragonforce, Trail of Broken Hearts
Stanford—Rihanna, Take a Bow
Stanford in three words: Heartbreak, Confused, Lame
They had a good run, really. But it's over now.
Toby Gerhart is gone, along with some other starters and I fear the worst...the Cardinal are back to the bottom, and have to go find another star. It's heartbreak central for Cardinal fans now.
We're all confused...were do they go from here? Who replaces Gerhart? Who steps up? Questions that need answering soon, clearly.
Stanford is back to being that lame Pac-10 team that schools such as Florida, Alabama, and Penn State, among others, schedule as a cupcake. And they had such promise last year...
I had a few different ideas about this song...and it's actually My Dads Son who gave me this idea.
Take A Bow is perfect for Stanford. They are a one-and-done team. As it says in the song...the Cardinal really had us going. We thought they might be legit, but they aren't. So it's back to the crapper. Take a bow...it was good while it lasted.
Runner up: Demi Lovato, Here We Go Again
UCLA—Hinder, How Long
UCLA in three words: Prince, Shadow, Promise
Kevin Prince is going to be the Bruins leader next year...but I doubt with much success. As great of a coach as Neuheisel is, it'll be a while before they step into the limelight.
Which is exactly why shadow is there. They live in the shadow of USC. I know it hurts UCLA fans, but facts are facts. They're more prestigious, way more BA, and keep the recruits coming all year long.
Promising sums up this Bruins team. They have bright spots, and yes the recruiting helps, but I have a hunch they're going to disappoint again this year. Promising doesn't mean delivering...so don't get too excited.
How Long is really about a girl who is torturing an ex...but if you switch the ex with UCLA fans, and then enter USC as the girl, it makes sense.
How long will UCLA have to put up with living in their shadow? The Trojans say forever, but UCLA knows better...and eventually, as said at the end of the song, they'll have revenge.
Runner up: Devin the Dude, Let Me Know It's Real
USC—All American Rejects, Gives You Hell
USC in three words: Pissed, Revenge, New
This one is pretty obvious...after a promising start, USC bombed last year. That means they'll be pissed off. The Kiffin vs. Kelly rivalry kicks off this year, and man will it be good!
Revenge is sweet...perhaps, sweet like roses? At least that's what the Trojans are hoping for. Mark Oregon, Washington, Arizona, and Stanford on your calenders USC fans...this could get messy.
USC is like a whole new team this year. Lane Kiffin steps in to take over from coaching legend Pete Carroll. Those are big, and I mean BIG shoes to fill.
There's ton's of good recruits for 2010, and Matt Barkeley is poised to have an outrageous year. Is Oregon's reign over after one year?
Gives You Hell is rather fitting. It talks about revenge, the guy is clearly pissed off, and it's a pretty new song. There's just not much else to it...the Pac-10 better watch themselves, because the Trojans are out, and seeking to dish out complete hell.
Runner up: MIMS, Move If You Wanna
Washington—12 Stones, Anthem For The Underdog
Washington in three words: Locker, Waiting, Underdog
Jake Locker is the clear leader of the team.
He has tremendous skill, passion, dedication, and will be a great pro quarterback in my opinion.
And the Dawgs have him back. He'll take them far, one man band or not.
That doesn't change the fact, however, that Washington is still the underdog.
There's USC, Oregon, and Oregon State to worry about in the Pac-10. Then there's Nebraska and BYU which should be tough games as well. The Huskies are the underdogs.
Washington has been waiting a long time to take control of the Pac-10 again...and it appears as though this could be the year.
Masoli is down for Oregon, USC is rebuilding, and Washington may be posed to take over. If it isn't this year, they'll be waiting a lot longer before their next shot.
Anthem For The Underdog fit extremely well. It was an easy one to figure out.
If you take a look at the roster, schedule, and the rest of the Pac-10...things don't look to bright. It appears as though it's another year for the Trojans.
But looking below the surface...you see the strength of the Huskies. And like the song says, Washington is definitely waiting to come back to life again.
Runner up: Ice Cube, Growin' Up
Washington State—Radiohead, How to Disappear Completely
Washington State in three words: Terrible, Cupcake, Laughingstock
I honest to God feel sorry for Cougar fans. There's just no hope, no bright light, nothing to look forward to. If they win one game I promise to stand up and clap.
Everyone laughs at WAZZU. If there's one team we could wipe out of the Pac-10, it would be the Cougars.
Keeping the theme here, is the word cupcake. This is the crap team of the Pac-10, the laughingstock, as I just said. FCS teams look at WAZZU and think of them as the easiest on the schedule!
In the end of all of the considerable prospective songs, I went with "How to Disappear Completely."
It's been rated one of the most depressing rock songs of all time, no one really "likes" it , and it fits entirely.
The lyrics talk about disappearing completely, fading into nothing...that's what WAZZU did after their Rose Bowl run a while back.
Oregon Ducks Football: Like this team?
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