2007 Pac 10 Preview

The Pac 10 has often been joked about being the Pac 2-with USC and Cal being the only teams worth mentioning. That has changed. UCLA, Oregon, and Oregon St have improved, making the Pac 2 joke irrelevant. But here is the fact-USC has dominated this conference since 2002, and is THE BEST PROGRAM-in this conference. In fact, having USC in the Pac 10 has made this conference more respectable than ever.

Who’s New:

Jim Harbaugh-Stanford
Dennis Erickson-Arizona St

Who’s on the Hot Seat

Mike Stoops-Arizona
Bill Doba-Washington State

10. Stanford Cardinal. Jim Harbaugh had a lot of success in the NFL, and as head coach at the University of San Diego. But can that translate to wins at Stanford? Walt Harris and Buddy Teevens have failed to win, even the late great Bill Walsh could not win much in his return to the Cardinal. The good news is the defense, which has 8 returning starters back. Well, no need to get to the bad. 3 wins would be great.

9. Washington State Cougars. You might think that the Cougars would do better with 12 starters back, including your QB, RB, and most of your D-line. But the Cougars are far down the talent chain in the Conference, but if they can shock Wisconsin in the season opener, look out. But they won’t so, it is off to see who’s next.

8. Washington Huskies. Like Baylor, things have been different since Don James left. Rick Nuheiesl was good, but his gambling allegations did him in. Tyrone Willingham actually had success at Stanford, but has found the Huskies more of a challenge. The first 5 games-Syracuse, Boise St, Ohio St, UCLA and USC. But the weaker second half schedule could do some good-if they can go 2-3 in the first 5 games, and MIGHT make a bowl game for it.

7. Arizona St Sun Devils. The Dennis Erickson era begins, with a lot of optimism and fanfare. But the honeymoon is short. The last few years, the Sun Devils have been close. Close to beating LSU. Close to beating USC. Not good enough, this team must win NOW. The problem is the defense-the same problem this program has had for the last 4 years. And that is why the low finish, but maybe a different edge in some close games.

6. Oregon St. Beavers*. The state of Oregon can now be proud-both of their state schools have the ugliest uniforms in all of college football. But that will mirror the Beavers season unless they settle on a clear QB-they are using a 2 QB system, and Mike Riley is no Steve Spurrier or Urban Meyer in that regard. This team is talented enough to win the Pac 10-possibly. If they find the right QB, look out-this team may be good, but the new uniforms are hideous.

5. Arizona Wildcats*. WTF? That’s right, big things are poised to happen for the Cats in 2007. This team got some momentum late in the year in 2006, highlighted by a 24-20 upset over Cal. QB Willie Tuitama is back at QB, and has a bunch of talent with him. The defense is the best that Mike Stoops has ever had at Arizona-and this is his all important 4th year. The offense has a new look in OC Sonny Dykes, who comes over from Texas Tech. Attention Pac 10-Arizona is back.

4. Oregon Ducks*. Ugly uniforms aside, Mike Belotti must overcome losing another high profile offensive coordinator. You might remember when Jeff Tedford left Oregon, the Ducks struggled. That might happen in 2007, but won’t. New offensive coordinator Chip Kelly is going with the feet and arm of Dennis Dixon to run the offense (think West Virginia’s Pat White, but not as fast). RB Jonathan Stewart returns as well. The Ducks have ?’s about the front 7 on defense, and those hideous uniforms. Someone ban Nike from designing football uniforms please.

3. UCLA Bruins*. Karl Dorell has the Bruins back in the chase in 2007. If QB Ben Olson stays healthy, there might be a chance that the Bruins win he Pac 10, especially with 10 starters back on offense. The defense also has 10 starters back. The Bruins only competition is Cal and USC, who they still trail in the conference, but don’t count them out. I would not be shocked if the Bruins win the conference, but you have to look at a team that beat USC, and in their next game with time to prepare fall apart against a weak Florida St team in the Emerald Bowl

2. California Golden Bears*. Jeff Tedford has built a damn fine ball club at Cal. The problem has been-if you guessed USC you guessed wrong-but lack of consistency. A blowout loss to Tennessee, and losing to Arizona as well as USC hurt. Nate Longshore returns at QB, and the defense is solid. The big games-Tennessee and USC are at Berkley, but the road tests-Oregon and UCLA are tough. But for a team that comes close to knocking on the door of the BCS might yet find a way in-but the Tennessee game is very important to helping that out.

1. USC Trojans*. I admit I do not like this team, given I am a huge LSU fan. But USC has been the best program in the country since 2002, and this season should not be any different. Heck, even with a new OC in Steve Sarkisian, the Trojans should be explosive on offense, as they have since Pete Carroll has been head coach. But it is the defense that pushes the Trojans over the top-10 starters back. Don’t hate the game-USC has owned it for the last 5 years. I may be on a bandwagon, but I see USC going unbeaten-but not without having some close bumps on the way to the National Title Game. The only question is who joins them?