USC's Wealth of Talent and the Future of the Pac-10

I think we can all agree this was a pretty low year for the Pacific-10 conference. Especially if you are from my neck of the woods: the state of Washington.

At the beginning of the year it was always going to be USC challenging for the Pac-10 title, Rose Bowl, and the National Title, while the rest of the nine teams duked it out for that coveted second spot.

Let's face it, that's the only chance for a Rose Bowl the rest of the teams have assuming USC is playing for National Championships.

They are loaded, but the problem is they know it, and thus lose that single game they overlook.

Would, however, USC's title credentials hold a little more credit if perhaps some of their talent on the bench was starting against them. Look no further than the running back situation. 

With three players running for over 600+ yards this season, its hard not to be impressed. But just think if guys like Joe McKnight (pictured above) was playing for one of the other teams in the conference. He'd be a 1000+ yard rusher season in and season out. 

Joe McKnight, CJ Gable, Stafon Johnson; all those guys are studs who could easily rush for twice what they got, but the allure of playing for USC got them what they got.

Up in Washington, we got excited when Chris Polk, a four-star running back, de-committed from USC to play for Washington. He hurt his shoulder, but was named the starting back before play had even begun.

A lot more of the guys who sit on the bench, and may see little playing time at all would start multiple years on other teams in the conference.

The Pac-10 is always going to be looked down upon while it is still USC and the Pac-9, and the team that will be hurt the most by that will be USC, always.

Obviously Pete Carroll has been able to sell that just being a part of USC is better for your resume than playing for any of the other schools in the conference.

It seems almost incomprehensible still, though, that a young student-athlete wouldn't want to play the majority of his college years. 

The schools are not without football traditions, and all the schools are beautiful campuses. Plus, you will get a great education from any of them.

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