DG on PX - Pac 10 Things We Learned in Week 1

The head coaching debuts of Chip Kelly and Steve Sarkisian produce different emotions, the (re)emergence of Joe McKnight and the value of 'body-bag' games highlight the lessons learned on the opening week of the 2009 college football season.

10 observations taken from the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum press box and home office (Thursday and) Saturday

1. Hello Joe
Was that Joe McKnight’s third or fourth coming-out party? I’ve lost track.

There was the punt return and big run against Arizona in 2007, then the Rose Bowl against Illinois to end his freshman season. He shredded Ohio State in last season’s meeting.

But every highlight was offset by fumbles, injuries and inconsistent play. Even against San Jose State, he fumbled in the first quarter. Where McKnight might have wilted in the past, he persevered Saturday afternoon at the Coliseum.

The enigmatic junior responded with 145 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries, including a 54-yard that ended with a Reggie Bush somersault.

McKnight won't be a premier NFL players because of fumbles, injury history and an ill-defined role - what is he, a corner, slot receiver, third-down back? - but he can establish himself as a special contributor at the collegiate ranks with twelve more efforts like Saturday's.

2. Meet the new boss, same as the old boss
Remember these names: Chris Galippo, Michael Morgan, Malcolm Smith and Jarvis Jones.

Those are the new linebackers at USC and everyone in college football will know who they are, likely one week from now.

Those four combined for 6.5 tackles for loss, a forced fumble and sack against the Spartans.

They aren't physical, intimidating thumpers like their predecessors but are definitely faster and hungry to establish their own identity.

That everyone in college football will also know soon enough.

3. Body-bag or body snatchers?

USC played San Jose State. Ohio State played Navy.

USC paid less, but got more. While the Buckeyes had to scrap their defense to ready for the flexbone, the Trojans saw shotgun snaps and spread option looks and jet sweeps they'll see later in the season.

Ohio State was going down to the wire. USC was tested for a quarter.

And that's the problem with the wrong kind of paycheck game. You either want a layup, the kind of easy win secured when the home team runs out of the tunnel, or something that prepares for the remainder of the schedule.

Ohio State got neither. Will it hurt them against USC? You better believe it.

4. The young guns deliver
In two or three years, Pac-10 quarterbacking might be back to its incredible 2004 depth because three true and redshirt freshmen looked sharp in their first action.

Matt Barkley will get most of the attention because he plays at USC, but Stanford’s Andrew Luck and Kevin Prince of UCLA also put together nice moments in wins.

There will be mistakes and growing pains this season, but the state of signal calling is already better than it was Saturday morning.

5. Sark's got bark
Washington's players and fans won't be happy with the three breakdowns that allowed LSU to escape Husky Stadium with a win. And that's a very good start for Steve Sarkisian's reclamation project on Montlake.

Against a Tigers team that ranks among the five or six most-talented in the nation, the Huskies more than held their own. Jake Locker and redshirt freshman tailback Chris Polk rolled up yards all night long and will get better as their comfort with the new offense grows.

It was the defense that Sark and coordinator Nick Holt must address to make Washington a big-time winner again. Though they played with effort and passion, the lack of absence and athleticism showed against LSU's future pros like Terrance Toliver.

Still, for a team that entered with a 14-game losing streak and shackled by the dismal end of the Tyrone Willingham era, the effort, energy and passion demonstrated Saturday night bode well for the future of the program.

Sark won't accept moral victories and neither will a fanbase accustomed to conference championships, but everyone associated with Washington should consider it an important step back to the top.

6. Oregon has problems aplenty
A friend of mine jacked in to the program warned me to keep the Ducks far away from my top 25. The offensive line would be a mess, same for their defensive counterparts. The receiving corps was unproven and the possibility for a 1-3 start was high.

I should have listened. Every flaw he foretold appeared on opening night.

The Ducks were positively listless Thursday night in every imaginable way, from Chip Kelly’s decision making and play calling to those white winged jerseys. Quarterback Jeremiah Masoli made so many bad decisions it would be easier to list the handful he got right. The defense couldn’t get off the field and the offense didn’t help them with time of possession. And things got worse with ‘LeGarrette Blount’s Punch Out.’

It’s certainly possible for Oregon to recover and mount a successful season. In 2006, Cal was blown out at Tennessee, but rallied to within one game of the Rose Bowl. But based on what happened in Boise, don’t expect it to happen.

7. If Oregon hadn’t booted Blount, the Pac-10 would have
Commissioner Larry Scott met with the media during the USC-SJSU game and waded through six minutes of questions about Blount before I gave up. He might still be answering them for all I know.

Scott is trying to overhaul the Pac-10’s image, which was damaged severely by Oregon’s loss, then compounded by Blount’s loss of control. The school and league had only one response, to ensure the senior doesn’t play another game this season.

It wasn’t a matter or right or wrong, good or bad. It was simply the only option left.

8. (Not) judging Cal
For the second time in three years, the Bears earned a measure of revenge in their season opener. What does it really mean? Who knows.

Cal, and especially its quarterbacks, have played well in the non-conference lately once to fall apart in Pac-10 play. A dangerous game at Minnesota in two weeks might be the first indication, but until USC comes to town Oct. 3, there may not be an answer.

9. Don’t forget about Oregon State
The Beavers were something of an enigma for the preseason publications and prognosticators, with the consensus split between dark horse Pac-10 contender and bound for a fall because of personnel losses.

There’s not much to glean from the 34-7 win over Portland State – aside from the fact the Brothers Rodgers are back and ready to deliver – but Mike Riley’s team might be that third team in the conference behind presumed frontrunners USC and Cal.

10. Ditto for Arizona
For all the harping on Central Michigan and upset alerts, the Wildcats posted a solid win behind their no-name defense and solid rushing attack.

Those two elements should be enough to put them back in a bowl game, maybe more.