Pac 10 PreviewUSC Trojans
2007 record 11-2 (Defeated Illinois 49-17 in the Rose Bowl)
Southern California had a great 2007 season that ended with a Rose Bowl win but the loss to Stanford at the Coliseum was the ugly mole on that body of work.
Things To Like About USC:
They’re USC, they’re the team of the 2000’s. The roll continues for the Trojans
Defense: They can play. Linebacker Rey Maualuga is the second coming of Junior Seau and paired with Brian Cushing they make a great linebacker duo. In fact, most of USC’s talented players are on defense.
Sick depth on offense: Southern California can throw at least 5 blue chippers at running back and 3 at wide receiver. Even 3 quarterback. There’s no drop off in talent.
Things Not To Like About USC:
Schedule: No softies on USC’s non-conference schedule. The Trojans open at Virginia and after an open date host Ohio State. Notre Dame is on the schedule after Thanksgiving before the UCLA game. USC is not afraid to play anyone anywhere.
Trojan Talk: Starting QB Mike Sanchez scared the hell out of Trojan fans dislocating his knee in pre-season practice. He will be 100% soon. Mitch Mustain should step in and not miss a step. Mustain has impressed the USC coaching staff since coming to campus. Southern California has all the talent in the world and should be in the mix for the BCS title game if not THE favorite.
Arizona State Sun Devils
2007 record 10-3 (Lost to Texas 52-34 in the Holiday Bowl)
The Sun Devils made a huge move as the challenger to USC’s Pac-10 dominance.
Things To Like About Arizona State:
Rudy Carpenter: He is one tough SOB. Even though Carpenter spent some of the year on the seat of his britches thanks to being sacked 55 times, he still came through for ASU. He can make all the throws and will have a great senior season.
Defensive Ends: ASU has some of the best defensive ends in the country in Dexter Davis and Luis Vazquez.
Things Not To Like About Arizona State:
Offensive Line: They gave up 55 sacks last season and lost 3 starters from that unit. They have to step up for ASU to have a chance.
The Dish on the Sun Devils: They have some holes to fill but Dennis Erickson is a proven coach in college football at that alone is worth a high finish in the Pac 10 for Arizona State. They might surprise some folks when Georgia comes to the desert.
Oregon Ducks 
2007 record 9-4 (Defeated South Florida 56-21 in the Sun Bowl)
Oregon was on it’s way to a possible BCS Title Game appearance until Dennis Dixon hurt his knee and was lost for the season.
Things To Like About Oregon:
Phil Knight’s Money: Any coincidence that the Ducks colors are the hue of money.
Secondary: One of the most athletic in the nation and will take advantage of opportunities. Patrick Chung, Walter Thurmond and Jarius Byrd are a threat for a pick 6 any given time.
Things Not To Like About Oregon:
The worst uniforms in the history of college football: Phil Knight may have deep pockets but his fashion sense is terrible or maybe it’s his creative team at Nike. How do they get blue chippers to come when they might look like a light bulb on the field.
Who’s going to play quarterback: Justin Roper and Nathan Costa are battling for the top spot but neither combined is as good as Dennis Dixon was.
Quack, Quack: Whoever plays QB, the Duck offense is pretty good. Jaison Williams is a great receiver and will be called upon to make plays.
The Oregon defense is stout. It will be another great year in Eugene
Oregon State Beavers
2007 record 9-4 (Defeated Maryland 21-14 at the Emerald Bowl)
Beaver Fever certainly isn’t spreading. Nobody has a clue that Oregon State has had 5 winning season in a row and 4 bowl wins in a row. Mike Riley is doing a great job with the Beavers.
Things To Like About Oregon State:
The return of Sammie Stroughter: He missed most of last year due to injury. Stroughter is the playmaker at wide receiver and the home run hitter running back kicks.
Things Not To Like About Oregon State:
It’s a rebuilding year: Oregon State lost a ton of talent on defense, 9 starters. September might be a rough month.
Beaver Beat: Oregon State could be hovering around .500 most of the year unless some of the youngsters step up their game. Going to a bowl game for the 8th time in 10 years would be a great season in Corvallis.
California Bears
2007 record 7-6 (Defeated Air Force 42-36 in the Armed Forces Bowl)
California shot its wad early defeating Tennessee at home and Oregon. The Bears won 5 straight and Cal was ranked #2 then went limp as a dish rag losing 5 of the next 6. The Bears did win their bowl tame though.
Things To Like About California:
Offensive Line: One of the best in the Pac-10. Alex Mack is the best center in the country. Mack can serve up the pancakes.
Talent at skill positions: Though Cal lost some great skill players the youngsters have potential and now will get the chance to showcase their skills. Head Coach Jeff Tedford has been stockpiling playmakers on offense.
Things Not To Like About California:
Quarterback controversy: Nate Longshore is the incumbent starter who was inconsistent last season. Kevin Riley looked great in the Armed Forces Bowl. Longshore is still the starter but the hook might come quick if he can’t get it done.
Secondary: Significant talent drain from a year ago and is the weak link in an adequate Bear defense:
Bear Trax: The past few years Cal has been expected to challenge USC for the Pac-10 title but hasn’t been able to get the job done. That isn’t expected this year and that might be the benefit for the Bears. Cal has talent and if they get by Oregon on November 1st, then it’s USC with no pressure this time. Cal will be a team on my radar screen.
UCLA Bruins
2007 record 6-7 (Lost to BYU 17-16 in the Las Vegas Bowl)
UCLA had the kind of talent to win the Pac-10 last year but lopsided loses to Utah and Washington State killed them yet somehow they made a bowl game. That season cost Karl Dorrell his job so now Bruin alum Rick Neuheisel has the gig.
Things To Like About UCLA:
2007 record 9-4 (Defeated South Florida 56-21 in the Sun Bowl)
Oregon was on it’s way to a possible BCS Title Game appearance until Dennis Dixon hurt his knee and was lost for the season.
Things To Like About Oregon:
Phil Knight’s Money: Any coincidence that the Ducks colors are the hue of money.
Secondary: One of the most athletic in the nation and will take advantage of opportunities. Patrick Chung, Walter Thurmond and Jarius Byrd are a threat for a pick 6 any given time.
Things Not To Like About Oregon:
The worst uniforms in the history of college football: Phil Knight may have deep pockets but his fashion sense is terrible or maybe it’s his creative team at Nike. How do they get blue chippers to come when they might look like a light bulb on the field.
Who’s going to play quarterback: Justin Roper and Nathan Costa are battling for the top spot but neither combined is as good as Dennis Dixon was.
Quack, Quack: Whoever plays QB, the Duck offense is pretty good. Jaison Williams is a great receiver and will be called upon to make plays.
The Oregon defense is stout. It will be another great year in Eugene
Oregon State Beavers
2007 record 9-4 (Defeated Maryland 21-14 at the Emerald Bowl)
Beaver Fever certainly isn’t spreading. Nobody has a clue that Oregon State has had 5 winning season in a row and 4 bowl wins in a row. Mike Riley is doing a great job with the Beavers.
Things To Like About Oregon State:
The return of Sammie Stroughter: He missed most of last year due to injury. Stroughter is the playmaker at wide receiver and the home run hitter running back kicks.
Things Not To Like About Oregon State:
It’s a rebuilding year: Oregon State lost a ton of talent on defense, 9 starters. September might be a rough month.
Beaver Beat: Oregon State could be hovering around .500 most of the year unless some of the youngsters step up their game. Going to a bowl game for the 8th time in 10 years would be a great season in Corvallis.
California Bears
2007 record 7-6 (Defeated Air Force 42-36 in the Armed Forces Bowl)
California shot its wad early defeating Tennessee at home and Oregon. The Bears won 5 straight and Cal was ranked #2 then went limp as a dish rag losing 5 of the next 6. The Bears did win their bowl tame though.
Things To Like About California:
Offensive Line: One of the best in the Pac-10. Alex Mack is the best center in the country. Mack can serve up the pancakes.
Talent at skill positions: Though Cal lost some great skill players the youngsters have potential and now will get the chance to showcase their skills. Head Coach Jeff Tedford has been stockpiling playmakers on offense.
Things Not To Like About California:
Quarterback controversy: Nate Longshore is the incumbent starter who was inconsistent last season. Kevin Riley looked great in the Armed Forces Bowl. Longshore is still the starter but the hook might come quick if he can’t get it done.
Secondary: Significant talent drain from a year ago and is the weak link in an adequate Bear defense:
Bear Trax: The past few years Cal has been expected to challenge USC for the Pac-10 title but hasn’t been able to get the job done. That isn’t expected this year and that might be the benefit for the Bears. Cal has talent and if they get by Oregon on November 1st, then it’s USC with no pressure this time. Cal will be a team on my radar screen.
UCLA Bruins
2007 record 6-7 (Lost to BYU 17-16 in the Las Vegas Bowl)
UCLA had the kind of talent to win the Pac-10 last year but lopsided loses to Utah and Washington State killed them yet somehow they made a bowl game. That season cost Karl Dorrell his job so now Bruin alum Rick Neuheisel has the gig.
Things To Like About UCLA:
Defense: Only USC has a more talented group. The front seven can rush the QB and create havoc in the backfield
Norm Chow: He’s coached some of the best offenses in college football. He will work his magic in Westwood.
Things Not To Like About UCLA:
Bad Luck: Spring football was a nightmare for the Bruins. UCLA’s top 2 quarterbacks went down, Pat Cowen the potential starter, tore his ACL and is lost for the season. Ben Olson broke his foot was back and then broke his foot again over the weekend. Olson is on the self for at least 2 months. That leaves either a JUCO transfer Kevin Craft or a red shirt Freshman Chris Forceier battling for the starting job.
Norm Chow: He’s coached some of the best offenses in college football. He will work his magic in Westwood.
Things Not To Like About UCLA:
Bad Luck: Spring football was a nightmare for the Bruins. UCLA’s top 2 quarterbacks went down, Pat Cowen the potential starter, tore his ACL and is lost for the season. Ben Olson broke his foot was back and then broke his foot again over the weekend. Olson is on the self for at least 2 months. That leaves either a JUCO transfer Kevin Craft or a red shirt Freshman Chris Forceier battling for the starting job.
Offensive Line: This patchwork line is expected to struggle all year.
Bruin Notes: It’s not like Rick Neuheisel has nothing to work with. There is 5-star talent at UCLA just young and raw. Norm Crow will have an impact on this Bruin offense before the year is done. Just keep Neuheisel away from any office pools and things will get much better in Westwood.
Arizona Wildcats
2007 record 5-7
Arizona was suppose to bear down and turn the corner last year instead the ‘Cats spun their wheels and stayed below .500
Things To Like About Arizona:
Willie Tuitama: Everything is in place for Tuitama to bust out this season. If he stays consistent he could be the best quarterback in the Pac-10.
Great corps of receivers: Mike Thomas leads a group of receivers that are among the best in the Pac-10 conference. Terrell Turner and Delashaun Dean have great hands and Dean can catch balls in traffic. Thomas gains big yards after the catch.
Things Not To Like About Arizona:
Young Defense: Only 3 starters return on defense. The entire D-Line must be replaced plus they are undersized.
Ground Game: Averaged only 77 yards per game last season and must improve on that.
‘Cat Sratch Fever: Arizona must make a bowl game or Mike Stoops will be looking for work. Arizona has been the team on the rise the last 3 years and the only thing the Wildcats have risen to is mediocrity. They have the talent this year to go bowling and maybe more but I’m not buying it yet.
Washington Huskies
2007 record 4-9
Things To Like About Washington:
Jake Locker: U-Dubbya is lucky to have this super talent at quarterback. Locker almost rushed for 1,000 yards last season. He is the cornerstone of a Huskie football rise back to respectability.
Offensive Line: Good enough to protect its quarterback
Things Not To Like About Washington:
Defense: Not much talent there. The Huskie “D” had no bark or bite last season and that will continue this season.
Lack of skill players: Jake Locker may have to do it all this season.
Bow Wow: Washington will be lucky to win 4 games this year and that will be because Jake Locker is that good. I have a feeling Tyrone Willingham may not last the season if the Huskies get off to a horrible start. This one time Pac-10 superpower has lost its way. It’s going to be a long year in Seattle.
Stanford Cardinal
2007 record 4-8
They won at USC and defeated the hated Cal Bears.
Things To Like About Stanford:
Offensive Line: Veteran group that will be the rock of the offense
Pass Rush: Stanford’s defense may not look impressive but they can get in the backfield and create havoc. The Cardinal ranked 11th nationally in QB sacks and 5th in tackles for loss.
The Tree: The best mascot in college sports
Things Not To Like About Stanford:
Quarterback: Tavita Pritchard did beat USC as an emergency starter for Stanford but accomplished little else. It’s an open competition and Pritchard is feeling the pressure. A change might take place sometime this year.
Youth: The Cardinal are a very young team and is probably a year or two away for going to a bowl game.
Tree Tidbits: Jim Harbaugh is on the right path on the farm. If Harbaugh keeps improving he will be a hot commodity unless the Stanford faithful come up with some cash to keep him. The Cardinal is on the way up the Pac-10 latter.
Washington State Cougars
2007 record 5-7
Things To Like About Washington State:
Brandon Gibson: One of the nations premiere deep threats at wide receiver that could have entered the NFL draft early. Instead chose to spend another autumn in Pullman, Washington.
Things Not To Like About Washington State:
Defense: The Cougars were bad last year and will be bad this year
Quarterback: Washington State is going with a spread offense with senior Gary Rodgers under center. Rodgers is 6-7 and he’s running a spread offense?
Cougar Clippings: This is shaping up to be an extremely rough debut season for new head coach Paul Wulff. Winning a game will be a major accomplishment for the Cougars. Wazzou hopes that comes in the Apple Cup against Washington.
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