2009 Pac 10 Preview

The Pac 1 or Pac 2 if you want to call them that is perhaps the most top heavy conference in college football. USC can kick all kinds of butt, and could beat any conference champ with the exception of the SEC and Big 12. The interesting race is for 2nd place as Cal, Oregon and Oregon State are making strides to improve, and knock off the Trojans. Once again USC won in 2008, but will 2009 be any different? It looks likely, but the competition is improving.



1. USC Trojans-Yes they have no starter at QB named yet. Yes they lost some good defensive players to the NFL. But they are still the best team overall. The Trojans are loaded, and despite the NCAA investigations hovering over the athletic program, they shake it off and play good football. Pete Carroll has done an excellent job here, no one can dispute that. They should make the Rose Bowl, as a tough road test early on in the season in Columbus could decide a possible BCS Championship game berth, and other road tests at Cal and Oregon highlight a brutal road schedule for the Trojans. Expect them in Pasadena for the 7th straight year.
Player to watch: RB Stafon Johnson

2. California Golden Bears-Jeff Tedford is in my opinion the brightest offensive mind in college football-better than the Urban Legend in Gainesville. While nobody doubts the offense, the defense has been the problem in Berkeley. That and the ultra liberal environment over there, but back to football. 15 starters are back (8 on defense) and the Golden Bears have a chance to knock off USC at home on Oct. 3. A weak road schedule could put Cal in the Fiesta Bowl, as they host the other big guns in the Pac 10 at home.
Player to watch: QB Kevin Riley

3. Oregon St Beavers-Mike Riley may only be returning 10 starters (3 on defense), but this is one scrappy football team, and they showed it last year. The good news and the bad news is that this is a young team. This may be a bump in the road year for the Beavers, but a major bowl game is in the cards, but the only hump for the Beavers is a brutal road schedule: USC, Cal, and Oregon. Ouch.
Player to watch: RB Jacquizz Rogers

4. Arizona Wildcats-Mike Stoops is doing an impressive rebuilding job in Tuscon, and this is a showcase year for him to show it. Returning 13 starters (7 on defense) this is the best team they have had in a while. They surprised teams last year, but that won’t be the case this year. But the problem is the road schedule: USC, Iowa, Oregon St and rival Arizona St highlight the road games.
Player to watch: LB Xavier Kelley


5. Oregon Ducks-Mike Bellotti steps down; Chip Kelly steps in. But into what? The Ducks have 9 starters back, and seem to be in a rebuilding year coming off a 10 win season in 2008. The future is bright, and the schedule is home friendly, which is going to be favorable for the Ducks if they can make a run. The only major road test is the opener at Boise St, the rest (UCLA, Washington, Stanford and Arizona) are winnable.
Player to watch: RB LeGarrette Blount

6. UCLA Bruins-Rick Neuheisel returned to his alma mater last season and promptly went 4-8; but opened with an upset over Tennessee. A bright future is ahead, but the road schedule could do them in: Tennessee, Arizona Oregon St and USC highlight it. But they are more experienced this year with 16 starters back (9 on offense) and a healthy dose of optimism. A bowl game is possible, but not likely.
Player to watch: WR Terrence Austin

7. Arizona State Sun Devils-Dennis Erickson has not had a good defense since he arrived in Tempe. The problems might continue this year. On offense, the Sun Devils return 7 starters but need to find a new QB. A win at Georgia on Sept 26 could mean a special year for the Sun Devils, as the conference games at home are favorable.
Player to watch: DE Dexter Davis

8. Stanford Cardinal-Jim Harbaugh pulled the most improbable upset in the history of college football over USC in 2007. They go back to the scene this year. 17 starters are back, giving him a veteran team, but they did go 5-7 a year ago. The recruiting is improving, and it wouldn’t shock me if Stanford finishes in the top half of the Pac 10, but it just isn’t likely.
Player to watch: RB Toby Gerhart

9. Washington Huskies-When you want to get an edge in conference play, hire from within the conference. Ole Miss did it last year, and Washington has done it this year by hiring Steve Sarkisian as their new HC. The bad news is they were 0-12 last year. The good news is Jake Locker, who missed 10 games last year is back. The Huskies have 18 starters back (10 on defense) but with the switch in philosophies it doesn’t mean much. The Huskies host LSU to open the season-and it is going to be closer than experts think. If Locker can adapt to a short passing game, and the defense can catch on, this is one team to keep your eye on for 2010.
Player to watch: QB Jake Locker

10. Washington State Cougars-Paul Wulff enters year 2 way behind the Pac 10 bunch yet again. 15 starters are back, but that isn’t saying much. It is going to take a while for them to get back in the thick of things, if they ever do. But they have a loyal alumni man running things, and have na experienced team to hit the field this season.
Player to watch: QB Kevin Lopina