8.19.2008

Pac-10 Preview

Favorite: USC
No surprise here. Pete Carroll has won the last six conference crowns at SC, and this year looks no different. The gap is closing however, so expect the Trojans to lose at least one or two conference games again this year.

Sleeper: Oregon
If all the pieces come together, the Ducks could sneak away with the Pac-10 title. All their tough conference games are on the road though (USC, Arizona State, Cal, Oregon State), so the will have to be really good to win it. But the talent is there, and the confidence is building after the Ducks upset USC last year.

On the Rise: Stanford
Call me crazy but I'm buying into Jim Harbaugh. He's got genuine enthusiasm (as opposed to, say, Mike Stoops) and an infectious, never-say-die attitude. How else do you explain the Cardinal knocking off 41-point favorite USC on their home field a year ago? Harbaugh will pull off another big upset this year and perhaps guide Stanford to their first bowl game since 2001.

Declining: Washington State
There's no doubt about it - Paul Wulff inherited a sinking ship. The Cougars roster has dwindled well below the 85-scholarship limit to a point where depth is a serious issue. Wulff may end up being a good hire in the long run, but Wazzu will have to hit bottom first.

PROJECTED STANDINGS & RECORDS








1. USC
10-2 (8-1 conference)
2. Arizona State
9-3 (7-2)
3. Oregon
9-3 (6-3)
4. California7-5 (5-4)
5. Oregon State
6-6 (5-4)
6. UCLA6-6 (5-4)
7. Stanford6-6 (4-5)
8. Arizona4-8 (2-7)
9. Washington3-9 (2-7)
10. Washington State3-10 (1-8)

PLAYERS OF THE YEAR
Offense: Sammie Stroughter (WR, Oregon State)
Defense: Rey Maualuga (LB, USC)
Special Teams: Kai Forbath (K, UCLA)

NATIONAL AWARDS CANDIDATES
Jahvid Best (RB, Cal) - Sayers
Jairus Byrd (CB, Ore) - Deion
Patrick Chung (S, Ore) - Arrington, Deion
Kai Forbath (K, UCLA) - Sproles/Sauerbrun
Everson Griffen (DE, USC) - Arrington
Jake Locker (QB, Wash) - Frazier
Rey Maualuga (LB, USC) - Arrington
Joe McKnight (RB, USC) - Sayers
Sammie Stroughter (WR, OrSt) - Bo Jackson, Sproles/Sauerbrun
Walter Thurmond (CB, Ore) - Deion
Thomas Weber (K, ASU) - Sproles/Sauerbrun
Gold Wrenches:
USC defensive line
Oregon offensive line
UCLA defensive line

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