If there is a year for Pac-10 teams to take advantage of USC 's losses at the skill positions, 2006 is the year.

Cal and dark horse Arizona State look to be the two teams capable of dethroning the Trojans. Cal behind the sensational Running Back Marshawn Lynch looks to rebound from a sub par season of 8-4 last season after posting three consecutive 10 win seasons previously.

After Arizona State lost its QB last season most team dismissed the Sun Devils. However Freshman Rudy Carpenter came burst onto the national scene passing for 2300 yards & 17 TD's in just 7 games. With 9 starters back on offense Arizona State should put up crazy numbers. ASU's defense is their liability and any aspirations for a BCS Bowl by the Devils will mean a much improved Defense for 2006.

It looks like UCLA and Oregon will be rebuilding this season after their 10 wins season last year as both teams took huge losses at the skill positions.

Another surprise team to keep an eye on is Washington State. Even with the loss of super back Jerome Harrison ( 1900 yards), Washington State should still be exceptional by air. Cougar QB Alex Brink ( 2700 yards and 24 TD's) passes to super wide out Jason Hill ( 1100 yards receiving) should give many West Coast defensive coordinator a few nightmares.

[ July 19, 2006, 06:09 PM: Message edited by: GymMountainEER ]

Hi - thanks for starting the thread. Take it you're an ASU fan. Interesting.

Where are all the preseason polls and talks? I'm out of the loop this summer - online? print zines?

Naw.....GMeer is a WV guy thru and thru, to a fault sometimes......

Actually I am a huge fan of college athletics.

While I am a passionate WVU fan, I don't see where it will become a fault anymore. Its seems posts and issues are remaining sports related which is what Outsports is all about. wink


Regarding ASU, Sophomore to be QB Rudy Carpenter was very impressive in the Insight Bowl game. The Sun Devil offense should be dynamic.

Any word on how the Defense has progressed this offseason?

Well, then, I don't mind telling you (in a nice way -ha) that you underestimate Oregon and overestimate ASU and Cal. ASU won't ever challenge for the Pac-10 title because underneath the talent of both coach and team, the program is in chaos. Cal will certainly be strong if they can get the act together at quarterback. I also think that, maybe, this will be the year Stanford or Arizona or both break out and surprise everyone. UCLA is always an enigma and I see that continuing and I don't seem them challenging for the title this year. WSU is always a challenger but might have a rough year. OSU will probably have a year of growing pains also and UW will probably be in the cellar.

Come November, it will be interesting to see how wrong all of my predictions are!

GO DUCKS!

[ July 23, 2006, 06:03 PM: Message edited by: weirdblackdog ]

P.S. You may have to make nice with marinerduckboy (MDB). He usually starts the Pac-10 thread. But, I often get impatient waiting for him, so thanks for getting this going. The Pac-10 thread is never as active as some of the others. Where are all the queer Pac-10 fans?

WDog,

I can see Arizona making a jump into the upper echelon of the Pac-10 under 3rd year head coach Stoops. However, knowing Walt Harris at Pittsburgh, I don't see him ever bringing more than a 7-5 type season.

I now correct my assessment of Cal. (I'm a fickle queer college football fan-sort of.) I think they might take the Pac-10 this year.

Bold prediction:

1. Cal
2. Oregon (had to do it - I'm a Duck fgs)
3. USC
4. Arizona (going out on a limb)
5. ASU
6. UCLA
7. Stanford
8. WSU
9. OSU
10. UW (have to do it - hate the Huskies, as any true Duck would).

The really interesting question/prediction: what team will be a total surprise, as a winner or loser? Not ready to make that prediction yet. Oregon has been that team in a couple of recent years: last year as a winner and the previous year as a loser.

Oregon is picked high in some of the pre-season polls, but they start off with Stanford, then a home game with Oklahoma and then travel to Fresno State. Utah State backed out of a game a few months ago (nice of them to give the Ducks ample notice...NOT) so the Ducks had to scramble to find a replacement. The only school available to fit their schedule was Div II Portland State. So that game won’t help their strength of schedule rating.

The most interesting battle is the starting QB job with Dennis Dixon vs. Brady Leaf. They both looked good in spring with Dixon probably holding the slight edge. Dixon has the speed and excitement factor and Brady has the size, is a little more accurate and is more of the prototype drop back passer. I’m not a huge fan of the rotating quarterback system and I thought it hurt them in last year’s Holiday Bowl. Dixon is more fun & exciting to watch but he needs to put some meat on his bones. Unless he’s gained weight, the guy looked like a toothpick last year compared to other QB’s. Obviously the big loss was Ngata and Clemens. Although the Ducks did finish the season strong without Clemens. They arguably have the league’s best offensive line with everyone returning which should be good news for potential superstar Sophomore Jonathan Stewart and fellow Soph Jeremiah Johnson. I’m hoping the line will pop open holes for Stewart, Johnson as well as Dixon. They had a third back in Terrell Jackson but he asked for a transfer last month. They also lost 3 other players (minor players) this spring due to transfers. Offensive Coordinator Gary Crowton will now have a full year to customize his offense for Dixon & leaf. Last year, when Clemens went down, Crowton had to “dumb down” his schemes for the inexperienced Dixon & Leaf. With a year under their belts, you should see the explosive Ducks in years past. The defense did take a hit and the corners are relatively inexperienced. Bad news considering all the returning QB’s in the league. Their first six games are brutal. Stanford looks easy on paper, but with the inexperience in the secondary, and the relative inexperience in the Quarterback position, it could be a dangerous game to open the season. Then they have to travel to Fresno, which not many teams do, and then host Oklahoma which should be in the Top 5. Following a break, they travel to Tempe and then follow that up with a trip to Cal and then home to UCLA. Brutal. Later in the season, they travel to USC and to Corvallis for the Civil War. Matching their 10 win season from last year will be extremely challenging. I’m thinking more of a 8-4 or 9-3 year.

As for the MDG Pac-10 predictions:

1. U$C – You have to, even with the losses they are still USC.

2. Cal – Although I’m very hesitant about picking them 2nd

3. Oregon – 2007 will be Oregon’s year. 2006 is the prelims for things to come.

4. UCLA – I don’t know much about them this year because everything is USC, USC, USC

5. ASU – They will find a way to lose 2 games that they should have won.

6. Stanford – My surprise pick

7. Arizona - Next year

8. OSU - Only because everyone else has improved

9. WSU – Battle with the Dawgs for the cellar spot

10. UW – Because they’re a bunch of Dawgs and Tyrone needs another year of rebuilding.

Well, the Pac-10 media day was yesterday and for the fourth year in a row, U$C was tabbed to finish first, although Cal did manage to get get 7 first place votes. Ducks were picked third!

1. USC (18)- 276
2. California (7) - 247
3. Oregon (3)- 225
4. Arizona State (1) - 204
5. UCLA - 145
6. Arizona - 133
7. Oregon State - 125
8. Washington State - 96
9. Stanford - 90
10. Washington - 50

1. CAL
2. USC & ASU
4. Oregon
5. Washington State
6. Arizona
7. UCLA
8. Washington
9. Stanford
10.Oregon State

[ July 28, 2006, 11:09 AM: Message edited by: GymMountainEER ]

MDB,

I'm hoping that you're right and the media-types are wrong and that Stanford finishes higher than 9th. I broke down and got season tickets for the new stadium. w00t!

My Huskers play at U$C on 9/16. I would love it if Nebraska could bring the Condoms down a notch, but will be satisfied if they at least make a game of it.

Is it September yet?

Arizona is a school that might surprise some people this year. Despite another down season last year, Arizona did have the impressive rout of UCLA. Arizona has one of the best secondaries in the Pac-10 and their offense should not be any worse.

Of course I am hoping they open with a loss against BYU which should hopefully be a great game.

I think USC, Cal, Oregon, & possibly even Arizona have a good shot winning the Pac-10 title. I'm predicting a tie w/ any of the above. I really don't see an outright title, but I could be wrong.

Hi SC Trojan - I agree - It's great that the Pac-10 will be competitive this year - thinking ti might be the most interesting conference. Rob

[ August 05, 2006, 09:45 PM: Message edited by: weirdblackdog ]

Hi wbd, Of course I'll be routing for my Trojans, but I'm also a realist.

Is it too early for some unofficial week one predictions?

Northern Arizona at Arizona State - Arizona State 45 NAU 0
Eastern Washington at Oregon State - Oregon State 46 Eastern Washington 6
San Jose State at Washington - Washington 31 SJSU 21
Stanford at Oregon - Oregon 31 Stanford 20
California at Tennessee - Cal 28 Tennessee 24
Utah at UCLA - Utah 21 UCLA 20
Washington State at Auburn - Auburn 30 Wazzou 17
USC at Arkansas - Arkansas 34 USC 31
Brigham Young at Arizona - Arizona 37 BYU 35

Cougar Fan, you just stabbed me in the heart.

Don't worry - the Trojans lost a lot of talent have a lot of holes to fill and could come out a little rusty. I am hoping they just reload since I am an LA guy. But I am a little nervous about this game. Carroll will have them ready though of course.

Fight on! wink

I want to see my Cougars upset Auburn but it's going to be rough. We lost a great running back last year in Harrison but have a good QB in Brink and WR in Jason Hill. Defense will be okay at D-Line and LB but questions in the secondary. GO COUGS!!

Counting the days?

I'd love for wazzuu to upset auburn...not expecting it to happen

Tennessee should be an interesting test of how Cal is going to fare this year...still ?s at QB

this is going to be a very interesting year in the pac-10...

love reading all the preseason polls...how many teams will end up out of the top 25 at the end of the season?

[ August 12, 2006, 07:51 PM: Message edited by: weirdblackdog ]

I think the Pac10 could be very intersting this year but I think it may still be just in the battle for no. 2. USC so far out recruits other Pac10 schools, they will simply reload. Think of it this way.....what kind of year did Reggie Bush, Mike Williams and Reggie Bush have the first year they started? I think this is a team where in many cases the backups are as good as the starters...thats how deep they are. If the QB play is there, the Trojans will be back in the Rose Bowl....or maybe in the title game.

I am an SEC fan too but would love to see Cal beat Tennessee and WSU beat Auburn.

Give my Cougs again..I don't think Auburn has a great secondary and they are one dimensional on offense. It will be a close game. WSU is going to upset them..watch and see!!

I don't buy the recruit thing. Where has it gotten Miami the past few seasons? Everyone blathers on about Miami's players and yet Miami hasn't been anywhere near a national championship for several years.

Stop listening to the college football media!

USC has a HOT ass fullback -- Brandon Hancock! OMG -- I just watched a show on Fox Sports (On Campus)... you need to check out pics AND his bio! Got a good head on his massive shoulders.


This is only his USC bio -- I'm not good with links (or the cool pic links).
http://usctrojans.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl..._brandon00.html

[ August 14, 2006, 10:04 PM: Message edited by: coachjw ]

coachjw,

Oh yes! We SC boys know Brandon QUITE well. He's listed on my Outsports profile as one of my favorite athletes.

Here's an official website w/ hot pix & all. He's won body building competitions & has appeared in body building mags. Enjoy.

[ August 15, 2006, 09:16 AM: Message edited by: SCTrojan ]

It looks like we'll all have to settle for the bodybuilding pics. Hancock is out for the season with a torn ACL. frown

Weirdblack...I completely disagree with your take that recruiting doesnt matter so much. In Miami's case.....i really dont think they have been so bad lately their expectations are just sky high every year. Also, SC's coaching staff is much better than Miami.

If recruiting matters so little, wonder why it is that the perennial powers in college football always bring in top 10 classes????

This will be a fun year in the Pac10 but SC is still clearly the class of the league.

Sad news about B Hancock's injury. He seems like a really nice guy, hot and smart....he has already graduated with a 3.9 GPA.

Thanks for the link!! He's my newest hero!! I'd almost renounce my allegiance to the Big 10 and Iowa to get close to him!!
:cool:

That's too bad for USC -- I remember seeing pics of Hancock from back when he was in high school -- he was huge even then.

Yeah-- same thing about Mee-chigan -- they get all this great talent but don't perform up to that ranking. (not that I don't mind seeing that!)

Brandon Hancock's interview after the injury. I thought you'd enjoy reading about him. He also clears up any doubts about the steroid issue that some have questioned re: his physique. I believe him.

On another note, sounds to me that the interviewer, Pete Arbogast, could possibly have a crush on him. The way he talks of his good looks makes you wonder. Read on...

Okay men, let's weigh in: Cal or Tenn?

The rest of the Pac-10 games should end up as predicted, save an upset. But, the Cal/Tenn game is the big one this weekend in the Pac-10.

I'm undecided.

I'm predicting Cal by no more than 14.

I picked Tennessee in the pick'um game, but now I'm thinking Cal's going to win. I'm hesistant aobut Cal until I see more of their Quarterback. But I love Tedford as a head coach even though he keeps snatching Oregon's coaches.

I went with Cal by 3 - although I agree with MDG - until we know what's happening at QB, can't be sure about Cal.

[ August 27, 2006, 11:44 AM: Message edited by: weirdblackdog ]

Anyone going out on a limb with upset predictions in the Pac-10 this week? Utah over UCLA perhaps?

He is a hot little FB..

It's looking like Tedford name Joe Ayoob at the QB but Cal couldn't go wrong with Nate Longshore or Steve Levy.

They also have Marshawn Lynch and he's a Heisman candidate for this season. I'm just worried about CAL defensively. They can put up the numbers and score but can they stop other teams from scoring too..

I'm surprised Ayoob was named the starting Quarterback. He did not impress me at all last year. I was expecting Longshore to be named the starter.

Join the club on the defense. The Ducks are potent on offense, but it's the defense that bothers me. The secondary is really young and with Stanford, Fresno State & Oklahoma right out of the gate, they better damn well mature quickly.

If there is an upset, I'm thinking it will be Utah over UCLA.

S-O-U-T-HERN C-A-L-I-FORNIA
SOUTHERN CALIFOOOOORRRNIA!

Damn, are we there yet!

Correction guys: Longshore was named starting quarterback for Cal.

Check out the new Matt Leinhart thread "Faulty trojan."

GO DUCKS!

[ August 31, 2006, 08:55 AM: Message edited by: weirdblackdog ]

I am psyched about the season opener on Saturday. I just wish I was sitting in Autzen wearing my spankin' new "Yell "O"" t-shirt!

At least it's ABC's televised game this week.

And which one of the gagillion new uniform combinations are they going to wear!

GO DUCKS

[ August 31, 2006, 08:55 AM: Message edited by: Mariner Duck Guy ]

FWIW, here's my PAC-10 outlook for Week 1:

ASU vs. Northern AZ: 35-0
OSU vs. EWU: *yawn* 31-7
UW vs. San Jose State: 10 - 17
Oregon vs. Stanford: 28 - 10
Cal @ Tennessee: 24-21
UCLA vs. Utah: 27-28
WSU @ Auburn: 45 - 10
USC @ Arkansas: 28 - 31
UA vs. BYU: 24-14

The Cal @ Tenn game is going to be fun to watch, but I think the USC @ Arkansas game will be much more of a nail biter. I feel more confident that Arkansas will upset USC than I do Cal beating Tennessee.

Isn't it fun trying to compare teams and determine who'll win before a single game is played? I'm probably dead wrong on all of these... but that's what makes predictions fun!

I'm not sure how accurate it is early in the season, but the Harmon Forecast for this week has Cal beating Tenn by 3 points and USC beating Arkansas by 9.

Serious? or do you have the score reversed?

My picks:

ASU vs. Northern AZ: ASU 42-7
OSU vs. EWU: OSU 45-14
UW vs. San Jose State: UW 28-17
Oregon vs. Stanford: OREGON! 35 - 24
Cal @ Tennessee: Cal 27-21
UCLA vs. Utah: Utah 38-31.
WSU @ Auburn: Auburn 42 - 14
USC @ Arkansas: USC 35 - 24
UA vs. BYU: 'Zona 24-21

I have the same pix MDG. Excellent point spread!

D'oh ... got the stuff reversed. Auburn 45, WSU 10. I was in a rush at work today filling that out I do stand by my picks for the two southern california schools to lose this weekend.

Final: 35-14 ASU

Darn, I was off by 7 for each team.

Lumberjacks did put a scare into the Devils.

OOooh, only off by 1 for ASU, but 14 for NAU. Looksl ike MDG beat me by 1 total point in this prediction. =) Nice job!