Pac-10 Season Preview and Predictions

 

USC has finished the year with at least a share of the lead for the past 7 seasons and they look to push that streak to 8 as they are the favorite to win it again this year. However, teams like Oregon and Cal will challenge the Trojans for a shot at earning a BCS Bowl Berth.

 

The Pac-10 is often overlooked because fans think that it is a one team conference. The problem is that being on the west coast, the games start later and east coast fans are often unable to see how good this conference truly is. While the SEC is undoubtedly the best conference in the country, the Pac-10 will make a case for themselves this season as they prove that they are the second best conference in the country.

 

Arizona Wildcats: Arizona is coming off of its first winning season in 10 years. It will be interesting to see how the Wildcats respond to success. They will no longer sneak up on teams and the expectations will be greater than ever. I expect the Wildcats to have a good, but not great season and finish at 7-5.

 

ArizonaState Sun Devils: The Sun Devils were a national contender in 2007 and had a very disappointing 2008 as they lost their final game to rival Arizona giving them a 5-7 record to finish the year. Like Arizona, ASU will begin the year with a new quarterback, but I feel that they will improve to 6-6.

 

Cal: The Golden Bears look to have a great season. The expectations are high in Berkeley as Kevin Riley has shown promise at the quarterback position and Jahvid Best is a playmaker on offense. Best is explosive and will create plenty of scoring opportunities, if Riley is consistent and limits the interceptions the Bears will have a very good season. Cal will finish the year at 10-2.

 

Stanford: The Cardinal have been improving every year. They help themselves this year by scheduling winnable non-conference games. While I think they will finish at 5-7 again, the Cardinal might be able to steal a game and finish the season bowl eligible for the first time since 2001.

 

Washington: The Huskies had a disappointing season last year as they actually went winless. However, the have a new coaching staff and Jake Locker at quarterback. Locker is extremely underrated because he plays at Washington, but he is a good quarterback who will find a way to get Washington to improve to 2-10 this year.

 

WashingtonState: Hard to imagine a 2-11 team getting worse, but I think the Cougars will do it. The only 3 games that even appear winnable are Notre Dame, SMU, and Washington but two of these games are on the road. Cougar fans make sure to attend the SMU game because it may be the only chance to see WashingtonState win this year.

 

OregonState: Jaquizz Rodgers is a playmaker. Everyone learned about him last year in the USC game and this year the nation will be watching. OregonState should finish fourth in the Pac at 9-3. It is unfortunate for them that they play all 3 of the best conference teams on the road. I expect the Beavers to lose to USC, Cal, and Oregon.

 

Oregon: With Jeremiah Masoli and Legarrette Blount returning, the Oregon offense will score plenty of points. The defense has question marks, but Oregon’s defense is always questionable. They outscore their opponents, and the spread attack will be very successful this year. Oregon will finish 10-2 and second in the conference.

 

UCLA: Rick Neuheisel has this team headed in the right direction, but he still has a lot of work to do. The Bruins are yet to find a proven effective quarterback and that will hurt them. They will improve this year but will only finish at 5-7.

 

USC: I predict them to win the Pac-10 this year. They are losing a lot of talent, but they always lose talent and they always find ways to reload. Pete Carroll said that he feels the Pac is the best conference in the country so I feel that he will make sure to prove it in his non-conference games. The Trojans will finish 11-1 and win the conference for the 8^th straight year. As for the Trojans single loss? The Trojans have lost in their past three visits to the state of Oregon. The Ducks have a great team this year that has the offense capable of beating USC. Finally, Autzen is one of the toughest places to play in all of college football and the crowd will make it difficult for the first year starter at quarterback for USC.