There will be a new look to the PAC 10 conference this year as most teams lose a bunch of experience from a year ago.
However, the team at the top of the pack should be the same team that has been there the past six years in Southern California.
While it looks like USC will run away and hide this year, there is a large cluster of teams of could grab a piece of second place.
Expect a lot of close battles in games where USC or Washington State isn’t playing in.
1. USC (11-1 overall, 8-1 Pac-10)
This may be the Trojans’ worst team since 2001, but that shouldn’t matter much this year.
Mark Sanchez did a solid job at quarterback last year, but I don’t see him being great. The same can be said about Arkansas transfer Mitch Mustain. There is a stable of highly talented running backs in Stafon Johnson, Joe McKnight and C.J. Gable, so expect USC to run a bit more this year, despite a slightly weaker offensive line. While there is no standout receiver on the roster, Patrick Turner and Vidal Hazelton are good, experienced receivers to throw the ball to.
The defense will still be one of the best in the country, although it probably won’t be as good as it was last year.
However, the schedule is much better than last year. Despite having five Pac-10 road games, they get Oregon, California, and Arizona State at home.
USC does travel to Oregon State and UCLA, where it lost two years ago. Don’t forget about a possible BCS elimination game the third week of the season against Ohio State, two weeks after a trip to Virginia.
Even with what appears to be some tough games, the only game I have the Trojans losing is at Arizona. The Wildcats nearly pulled of the shocker last year and it has pulled off a big upset the past few years (No. 2 Oregon last year).
2. Oregon (8-4, 6-3)
Last year went down as what might have been for the Ducks if Dennis Dixon wasn’t hurt. A good thing about an injury is that it gets others more experience, which will be good for Justin Roeper this year if he wins the starting job over Nathan Costa.
Jaison Williams will still be there to throw the ball to, it is just unsure if he can catch it consistently. Despite losing Jonathan Stewart, the ground game looks just as strong with Jeremiah Johnson and Andre Crenshaw back. The offensive line looks very solid again as well.
The defense was inconsistent a year ago, but the secondary is one of the best in the country, which should keep the Ducks in most games.
There aren’t many easy games on the schedule as the non-conference slate includes a trip to Purdue and a visit from Boise State.
The Ducks also have to travel to ASU, California, USC, and Oregon State.
They need to win at least one of those games to get second in conference.
3. Arizona State (7-5, 5-4)
Here comes the log jam in the middle of the conference, so I will go in the order of who I think is the best.
The Sun Devils should have a better team than last year, but the schedule is much tougher. If Rudy Carpenter stays healthy, he should end his career as the all-time leading passer in school history.
6 comments Last one added 11 months ago — Leave a Comment
Ian Peterson 11 months ago
You know, I really feel like there won't be too many surprises in the Pac-10 this year, but I'm always proved wrong by something. Who figured Oregon State to be a really solid conference team over the last couple years, or Stanford upsetting USC. I'm looking forward to another season in the Pac-10
Edit Comment Cancel
David Hedlind 11 months ago
The PAC 10 is always surprising. Oregon was on the verge of a NC and Heisman trophy. Stanford beat USC and Cal in the same year. 3 different teams up to #2. Cal over Tennessee. Washington and not Stanford last place in the conference with 2 conference wins. I dont see it as IF USC will lose but rather when.
Edit Comment Cancel
Mitch Rowe 11 months ago
Oregon is widely overrated this year...The only thing you need to know is they lost over 50% of their offense last year when they lost Dixon and Stewart. They have so many unproven players and somehow you are throwing them up at finishing #2, a longshot at best with so many other teams with more talent and leadership.
Edit Comment Cancel
David Hedlind 11 months ago
Dixon will be greatly missed and the QB is a bit unproven but look at what Dixon did from 2006 to 2007. Oregon has argueably the best O line in the conference and a returning RB Johnson, that was averaging more yard per carry than Stewart was before he got hurt. Add in JC transfere Blount and the offense will still be a strong running team.
The Defense is 2 fold contending for best units at DLine and Secondary. The Secondary is possibly not only the best in the conference but in the Nation.
Oregon will be fine and will contend for the conference.
Edit Comment Cancel
mike 11 months ago
No surprise here. The conference again has 1 elite team, 2 exceptionally good teams, 2 rather poor teams and five mediocre teams that keep everyone guessing. I will say that I could foresee a three way with USC beating ASU, ASU beating UO and , UO beating USC. If that occurs I think ASU and USC would have the upper hand since thier other loss would be non-conference, wheras UO will probably lose another in conference.
#1 USC
#2 ASU
#3 UO
Edit Comment Cancel
Mitch Rowe 11 months ago
David, I think Oregon will be a good team but they have alot to prove before I go ahead and say they will contend for the conference
Edit Comment Cancel
Leave a Comment
You must register to post a comment.