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CONFERENCE OUTLOOK
Overrated by Left Coasters and unnoticed by the
right side of the country, the non-USC Pac 10 teams were decent,
but nothing special over the last few years. Not anymore. Expect
the league to come roaring back with more than just the mighty
Trojans with Cal a legitimate national title contender, Oregon
and Arizona State good enough to challenge for an at-large BCS
slot, and everyone else outside of UCLA better than last year.
Stanford, Washington State and Oregon State will be far more
dangerous and will be a tough out every week, and Arizona should
finally put it all together under Mike Stoops and be more
consistent. Of course, all eyes will be on USC to see if it can
reload and be a juggernaut again. The Trojans will continue to
bring attention to the league; the rest of the country will then
notice how good everyone else is.
1. Almost by default, the starting USC
quarterback will be a Heisman finalist. John David Booty and
Mark Sanchez are really that good, and they have the talent
around them to put up Matt Leinart-like numbers.
2. The addition of ends Loren Howard from
Northwestern and Tranell Morant from Florida along with former
BYU tackle Michael Marquardt will make Arizona State more of a
factor in the Pac 10 race.
3. California’s linebacking corps might not just
be the Pac 10’s best; it might be the best in the country. The
world will notice in the opener at Tennessee.
Nov. 18 California at USC
Each team has major landmines to step around, but this should be
the battle for the Pac 10 title, and with a little luck here and
there, this could be for a spot in the national title game.
Predicted record:
11-1
Conf. record: 8-1
Best
Player:
WR
Dwayne Jarrett, Jr.
Offense
- This
isn't going to be anywhere near the 580-yard, 49 point-per-game
juggernaut of last year losing Matt Leinart, LenDale White, Winston
Justice, Dominique Byrd, Taitusi Lutui, and Reggie Bush, but there's
hope for the explosion to continue, albeit to a lesser degree, thanks to
the nation's best receiving corps, a good foundation on the offensive
line with tackle Sam Baker and center Ryan Kalil, and more high school
All-America prospects than one team should have. However, there's an
outside chance the wheels could come flying off. Quarterback John David
Booty is hardly a sure-thing to last the season with his gimpy back, and
Mark Sanchez has more problems than battling Booty with a sexual assault
charge temporarily kicking him off the team. The running back situation
is full of question marks with injuries, youth, and ineligibility
playing havoc with the corps. Even so, this will be one of the nation's
five best attacks if everyone stays healthy.
Defense - What the D lacks in overall experience it makes up for
in ridiculous talent and athleticism. The linebacking corps is one of
the best in America with a third string that would form a killer
starting trio for about 95 other teams. The secondary doesn't have any
big names, but that will change quickly if some of the superstar
freshmen play well right away and if there's good competition for the
safety spots. End Lawrence Jackson and tackle Sedrick Ellis are great
players to build around on a line that should have few problems getting
into the backfield. The return of former defensive coordinator and
former Idaho head coach Nick Holt adds even more punch.
This
season will be a success if …
USC plays for the national title. Would just winning the Pac 10 and
going to a BCS game be good enough at this point? It should be, but the
bar is set ridiculously high after going 54-10 under Pete Carroll and
losing two games in three years.
Predicted record:
10-2
Conf. record: 7-2
Best
Player:
RB
Marshawn Lynch, Jr.
Offense
-
This should be one of the nation's most explosive attacks if the
quarterback situation stabilizes in a hurry and if the offensive line
can make up for some big losses. Tackle Ryan O'Callaghan and center
Marvin Philip were two of the best linemen in the nation and won’t be
easily replaced. That's about the only concern with Marshawn Lynch and
Justin Forsett forming one of the nation's best 1-2 rushing punches and
DeSean Jackson, Robert Jordan and LaVelle Hawkins combining for one of
the nation's fastest and most explosive receiving corps. The question
now becomes whether or not QB Nate Longshore can come back 100% after
breaking his ankle. Steve Levy, Kyle Reed and Joe Ayoob will all get
their shots at the starting job, but Longshore is the one who'll make
sure the passing game doesn't finish last in the Pac 10 again.
Defense – Eight starters return to a defense that should just now be
hitting its stride with speed, athleticism and lots and lots of talent.
The front seven should be a rock if all the top prospects come through
as expected. The ends are deep, talented, and should have few problems
getting into the backfield all season long, while Brandon Mebane is one
of the nation's best tackles. The linebacking corps is one of the best
in the nation with last year's recruiting class about to become
tremendous. Cornerback is set with Daymeion Hughes and Tim Mixon sure to
earn all-star honors, but the safeties are a big concern with no
developed depth and two new starters.
This
season will be a success if …
Cal wins
the Pac 10 title. It's time to take that next step up. It might be
asking a lot to win the championship with a game at USC to worry about,
but the Bears are good enough to dream big.
T
Predicted record:
7-6
Conf. record: 5-4
Best
Player:
RB
Yvenson Bernard, Jr.
Offense
-
Eight starters return to an offense that should blow up as long
as there's steady quarterback play. All five starters return to
a line that should be among the best in the Pac 10, Yvenson
Bernard and JUCO transfer Clinton Polk form a rushing tandem as
good as any in the league, and the receiving corps should make
up for the loss of Mike Hass with several good prospects led by
Anthony Wheat-Brown. Matt Moore is back for his second year as
the starting quarterback and needs to cut down on his mistakes.
Expect more offensive balance with the ground game carrying the
load far more than it did last year.
Defense - The run defense was fine; the pass defense was one of
the worst in America. Expect things to even out a big with the freshman
corners who got torched last year now sophomore corners who'll get
torched. There needs to be more of a pass rush from the ends, and that
should come with Jeff Van Orsow and Dorian Smith each looking to be
regulars in the backfield. The no-name linebackers should be tremendous
as the season goes on.
This
season will be a success if …
the Beavers
flirt with winning ten. It might take 14 games to do it including a bowl
trip, but it's possible if they don't screw up against the teams they're
supposed to beat.
Predicted record:
8-4
Conf. record: 5-4
Best
Player:
TE
Zach Miller, Jr.
Offense
-
It'll be a major disappointment if this isn't one of the nation's five most productive attacks with the addition of coordinator Roy Wittke to work with the quarterbacks. The passing game will be deadly Rudy Carpenter able put up All-America numbers with a speedy receiving corps to work with an a huge, experienced line to play behind. The running game won't be neglected with Keegan Herring and Shaun DeWitty sure to combine for around 1,500 yards. Zach Miller is one of the nation's best tight ends leading a sleek, fast group of receivers who'll all get plenty of work.
Defense - No one played defense in the Pac 10 last year outside
of Oregon, so it should say something that ASU's D was the worst in the
league allowing 469 yards per game. There's way too much speed,
athleticism and depth to not be far better with a big improvement
expected on the line thanks to transfers Loren Howard and Michael
Marquardt. The linebacking corps has to replace Dale Robinson and Jamar
Williams, but there are several interesting options to fill the void.
The safeties will be among the Pac 10's best, so the pass defense should
be far better if there's more production from the corners.
This
season will be a success if …
ASU wins
the Pac 10 title. Enough is enough. There's more than enough experience,
talent, and athleticism to win the title and get to the BCS.
Predicted record:
7-5
Conf. record: 5-4
Best
Player:
RB/KR
Jonathan Stewart, Soph.
Offense
- The
move to the spread offense was a success finishing 18th in the nation in
total offense and 12th in scoring. A late-season injury to QB Kellen
Clemens allowed Brady Leaf and Dennis Dixon to see meaningful playing
time, and now they should hit the ground running in a two-quarterback
system. Top receiver Demetrius Williams is gone, but there's plenty of
returning talent at receiver to hope for a sure-thing number one target
to emerge. The line will be the best in the Pac 10 with all five
starters returning, but it has to be better at run blocking. The time is
now for top prospect Jonathan Stewart to shine as the featured tailback.
Defense - Oregon was the one team in the Pac 10 that played a
little defense last season, but it'll dip this year without star tackle
Haloti Ngata and top corners Justin Phinisee and Aaron Gipson. There are
enough returning veterans to keep from sliding into mediocrity until
several athletic new playmakers to step up. There's speed to burn in the
secondary and plenty of size up front, but there aren't any sure-thing
All-Pac 10 performers. The linebackers in the 4-2-5 are good, but not
spectacular.
This
season will be a success if …
Oregon wins
nine games. Duck fans will be hoping last year was the start of
something big, but the schedule has too many pitfalls and the team is
too incomplete.
Predicted record:
6-6
Conf. record: 4-5
Best
Player:
WR
Jason Hill, Sr.
Offense
- The
whole might be better than the sum of the parts. It might not be the
nation's eighth best offense again, but it should be more explosive
through the air thanks to the return of receivers Jason Hill and Michael
Bumpus. If quarterback Alex Brink can take a step up in his development,
the sky's the limit. The ground game will miss Jerome Harrison, but JUCO
transfers J.D. Deidrichs and Derrell Hutsona should help DeMaundray
Woolridge to keep things rolling. Even though there aren't any all-stars
on the line, it should be solid, especially at tackle.
Defense - It's not going to be the type of defense that can stop
anyone cold, but there are just enough veteran playmakers to come up
with a few plays needed to be effective in the shootouts the team is
certain to be in. End Mkristo Bruce should be one of the Pac 10's most
disruptive forces, while outside linebackers Steve Dildine and Scott
Davis should be in line for all-conference honors. The secondary that
struggled too much last year has to find new corners, but the safeties
should be solid.
This
season will be a success if …
The Cougars win eight games. The team is two seasons removed from a
run of three straight ten-win seasons and needs to get back on the
winning track.
Predicted record:
5-7
Conf. record: 3-6
Best
Player:
CB Ben
Olson, Soph.
Offense
- Few teams have to replace more important producers than UCLA
losing ultra-accurate QB Drew Olson, mighty-mite RB Maurice Drew, and
top receiving tight end Marcedes Lewis. New QB Ben Olson is mature, big,
and talented, but he needs his wide receivers to be more productive and
could use a deep, but still developing offensive line to jell right
away. The running game will be better with Chris Markey, Kahlil Bell and
Derrick Williams hammering out yards behind Michael Pitre, one of the
Pac 10's best fullbacks. While the potential is there for this to be a
very good, very productive offense, there aren't any sure-thing home run
hitters. At least not yet.
Defense - There should've been far more production last year
considering how talented the linebacking corps was. The Bruins were
abysmal against the run finishing 118th in the nation allowing 233 yards
per game, but expect the D to toughen up under new defensive coordinator
DeWayne Walker, who cranked up the intensity several notches this
spring. The problem will be size and experience. It's not a huge front
seven, and several first year starters will have problems early on.
Injuries were a problem last year, but there could be a night-and-day
improvement if everyone, especially tackle Kevin Brown, can stay
healthy.
This
season will be a success if …
UCLA finishes in the top four of the Pac 10. There are simply way,
way too many question marks and way too much youth to reasonable expect
a run for the Pac 10 title.
Predicted record:
5-7
Conf. record: 3-6
Best
Player:
QB
Trent Edwards, Sr.
Offense
- The
offense was awful last year with no rushing attack and not enough of a
passing game. The problem was the offensive line that gave up way too
many sacks and didn't adjust to the new coaching staff. If experience
counts for anything, things should be far better with seven players with
starting experience returning up front and, technically, 11 returning
starters to the offense. The biggest boost will be in the passing game
where 6-7 Evan Moore returns after injuring his hip early last year to
join Mark Bradford to form a deadly 1-2 punch. Trent Edwards needs to be
a senior playmaker and the type of quarterback who can carry the team on
his back considering the team's average stable of running backs.
Defense - No one stopped anyone in the Pac 10 last season, so the
numbers (442 yards and 30.6 points per game) are a little out of whack.
There was a problem coming through with a key third down stop and
slowing down long drives, and there should be more of the same issues
this season. The D will shift between a 4-3 and a 3-4 depending on the
situation, but going with four linebackers will probably be the way to
go with a shaky group up front. The back seven, or eight, has a
tremendous array of athletes, but not a lot of proven depth. Linebackers
Mike Silva and Michael Okwo and safeties Brandon Harrison and Trevor
Hooper have to go from being nice starters to stars.
This
season will be a success if …
Stanford
wins seven games. It's a better team than last year when it won five
games and came within a loss to UC Davis from going to a bowl game.
Predicted record:
5-7
Conf. record: 3-6
Best
Player:
CB
Antoine Cason, Jr.
Offense -
It
took a few years, but the Arizona offense should finally be consistently
productive. Improvement in the running game will be a key early, but
it'll be too tempting not to bomb away. Quarterback Willie Tuitama is
one of college football's brightest young stars, and he has weapons to
work with thanks to the return of the top four receivers from last year
and more speed in the backfield than the Wildcats have had in years. The
pass protection should be even better with tackles Peter Graniello and
Tanner Bell returning to lead a deep line.
Defense - The piece should finally be in place to have the
defense Arizona fans envisioned when Mike Stoops took over as head
coach. The biggest improvement will be at linebacker, where Spencer
Larsen, Dane Krogstad, and Ronnie Palmer are finally healthy and should
finally be on the field at the same time. The line isn't all that big
and has to get into the backfield more and generate more pressure. The
secondary has the potential to be among the Pac 10's best if a steady
free safety can be found; there might not be a better trio in the
conference than safety Michael Johnson and corners Antoine Cason and
Wilrey Fontenot.
This
season will be a success if …
Arizona
gets to a bowl game. While there's a ton of experience, next year will
be when the Wildcats can reasonably be a factor in the Pac 10 title
race.
Predicted record:
4-8
Conf. record: 2-7
Best
Player:
SS C.J.
Wallace, Sr.
Offense
-
There are way too many question marks going into the season. Can last
year's average offensive line actually improve after losing four
starters? Is there a quarterback on the roster who can put points on the
board and come up with wins? Who will the deep threat be to replace
Craig Chambers? How long will it take before J.R. Hasty becomes the
workhorse? It takes lots and lots of points to keep up in the Pac 10,
and with the defense UW has coming into this season, this offense will
have to be used to playing in some track meets. Does it have the
firepower? There's experience and plenty of options, but the jury is
still out on whether or not this can be the 30-point-per-game attack it
needs to be.
Defense - Things weren't always pretty last year, but the Dawgs
had to go against some of the nation's highest octane offenses. The D
wasn't bad against the mediocre attacks and now gets eight starters back
with the potential of finishing in the upper half of the Pac 10
standings if the secondary can improve by leaps and bounds. Safety
Dashon Golden will get a look at corner, the biggest weak spot, while
Donny Mateaki will be tried out at tackle if he's not needed at end.
There's good athleticism and decent depth just about everywhere with
more reinforcements on the way from the JUCO ranks.
This
season will be a success if …
UW wins
seven games. There has to be a big upset or two to set a fire under the
fan base, while a win over Washington State would do wonders to get the
program rolling into 2007.
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