I'll start with USC. I don't see any sure fire places in their schedule where they are likely to lose. They outman everyone at nearly every position. There's a good chance their defense won't give up 20 points in a single game all year. And after all, Booty did come in 2nd in the Pac last year but because he didn't play like Lienart, nobody noticed. I think he'll be a lot better. Give him a few games to sync up with his WRs and it's going to be lights out around the conference and anywhere else they play.
Agreed. The Pac is going to be interesting from 2-9 as I see Cal being solid, yet beatable. UCLA will be tough and with Oregon looking at a down season I'm hoping the U of A can put some points on the board with the new O and ride that defense to a third place finish. I was really surprised by the Blue Ribbon Preview that have them possibly winning 10 this year. I think they'll have a tough time at Cal, on the road at Oregon State and we'll see about ASU. By that time ASU could be on a five game losing streak. I like our chances at home against UCLA for homecoming and a Thursday night ESPN game against Oregon.
Washington has been a rally killer for the Cats over the last few years but Stanback had a huge part in that so it's good to see him gone. Don't know much about Washington St. but I'm sure they'll be ok, I think they have their QB coming back. And then there's Stanford....they're gonna need some time. Realistically I see it shaking out something like this:
1. USC
2. Cal
3. Oregon St.
4. Arizona-If they beat the Bruins
5. UCLA
6. ASU
7. Oregon
8. Washington-Brutal schedule but will be a tough out
9. Washington St.
10. Stanford
Oregon and ASU could swap but I like ASU's offense this year as Carpenter's hand is healed and they have Torrain and the O-Line returning. I guess the Beavers are my "sleeper".
Not so much that I have them low, I just don't see them winning on the road against Oregon St. or U of A. UCLA struggles on the road too. Really, all three of those teams have the chance to be interchangable in my mind. All will have solid defense with question marks on the offensive side of the ball.
Conan
Last year there was no way UCLA beats USC and knocks them out of the bcs championship game.
PC has to keep them hungry, keep the practices tight........and sustain the level of intensity.
That said, I like the Trojans chances.
I think Les Miles rant about how over-rated USC is and how weak the PAC-10 is, is exactly the kind of stuff USC needs. LSU actually has a publication called "TIGER DROPPINGS". I guess Miles didn't see any of the stompings USC has put on the haughty SEC in the last 4 or 5 years.
Isn't it something like 140 to 25?
Until someone in the SEC stomps USC or even manages a win......it'd be nice if they just shut the pie holes.
After Cal and Oregon (2 super coaches/super programs).......I think you have to give some thought to UCLA. They've been strong offensively........but awful on defense. That stopped last year when they brought in a tough guy, who put the pride back in the D.
Current odds to win the PAC 10
6301 USC -225
6302 California +275
6303 Oregon +600
6304 UCLA +800
6305 Arizona +900
6306 Arizona State +1400
6307 Oregon State +2000
6308 Washington State +2400
6309 Washington +2400
6310 Stanford +6000
I can't wait...............
Doc
Last year there was no way UCLA beats USC and knocks them out of the bcs championship game.
PC has to keep them hungry, keep the practices tight........and sustain the level of intensity.
That said, I like the Trojans chances.
I think Les Miles rant about how over-rated USC is and how weak the PAC-10 is, is exactly the kind of stuff USC needs. LSU actually has a publication called "TIGER DROPPINGS". I guess Miles didn't see any of the stompings USC has put on the haughty SEC in the last 4 or 5 years.
Isn't it something like 140 to 25?
Until someone in the SEC stomps USC or even manages a win......it'd be nice if they just shut the pie holes.
After Cal and Oregon (2 super coaches/super programs).......I think you have to give some thought to UCLA. They've been strong offensively........but awful on defense. That stopped last year when they brought in a tough guy, who put the pride back in the D.
Current odds to win the PAC 10
6301 USC -225
6302 California +275
6303 Oregon +600
6304 UCLA +800
6305 Arizona +900
6306 Arizona State +1400
6307 Oregon State +2000
6308 Washington State +2400
6309 Washington +2400
6310 Stanford +6000
I can't wait...............
Doc
Why, because he has a great record? A great coach wouldn't have allowed his team to play like complete doo-doo against a team they outmanned at every position on the field (practically) with the national championship undeservedly on the line . Bozo the Carroll only actually has to coach in a very limited # of games/season and that was one of them.
Again, it is no coincidence that NFL teams aren't knocking down his door despite his great record. On a level playing field, he is an average (at best) coach
It's hard to say which team from Arizona will bust out of the middle first. The Wildcats seem a little more ready than the Sun Devils, though I think Erickson has more talent around him than he's had for a very long time. I've been trying to weigh out both teams and get an 8-4, 7-5 type of impression from both.
There seems to be a lot more room in the middle of the conference for teams to knock each other around than I can remember. From the looks of their recent hires and recruits, many have plugged some major leaks or they seem to be trying. The Zonas, UCLA and Stanford all fit into that category.
Sweeping entire programs or all the HC's under the carpet is more attitude than information and "opinion" starts to rhyme with asshole after a while. I do appreciate the political discussion in the threads that are there for that purpose but I also think people should have the right to exchange knowledge and details about the teams without having to listen to flame after flame. (Thank you.)
There seems to be a lot more room in the middle of the conference for teams to knock each other around than I can remember. From the looks of their recent hires and recruits, many have plugged some major leaks or they seem to be trying. The Zonas, UCLA and Stanford all fit into that category.
Sweeping entire programs or all the HC's under the carpet is more attitude than information and "opinion" starts to rhyme with asshole after a while. I do appreciate the political discussion in the threads that are there for that purpose but I also think people should have the right to exchange knowledge and details about the teams without having to listen to flame after flame. (Thank you.)
