2009 Pac-10 Predictions

2009 Pac-10 Predictions
By Max Baez For Football Reporters Online

While much of the country sees the Pac-10 as USC and nine others, every year lately it has been just that: nine other teams trying to knock off USC as the conference champion. USC has held at least a share of the conference title every year since 2002, and with consistent top five recruiting classes and an absolutely loaded roster, it is easy to see how they are able to achieve this. However, USC is not invisible, as they have not gone undefeated in conference play since 2005 and Oregon State was one game away from winning the title last year. However, will this be the year USC is finally not at the top?

And with the predictions, USC is at the number one spot. While USC lost some key talent, including QB Mark Sanchez and all of their starting linebackers (two of whom were first round picks), they have reloaded as they always have someone waiting in the wings. Freshman QB Matt Barkley has been given the starting job, and QB Mitch Mustain, who went 8-0 as a starting QB as a freshman at Arkansas in the SEC, is a third stringer, which just shows how loaded their roster is. There are really no weaknesses on the roster at all, and S Taylor Mays is certainly one of the best defenders in America.

Now, for the rest of the rankings:

2. California. It’s tough to choose between Cal and Oregon for the two spot, but coach Jeff Tedford has Cal in a great position to succeed this year. The defensive backs are the best in the Pac-10, especially at corner, and RB Jahvid Best may just be the best running back in America. With 17 starters returning, Cal looks solid to challenge USC. However, they should fall just a bit short, especially since Cal’s passing game, led by QB Kevin Riley, leaves something to be desired.

3. Oregon. Former offensive coordinator Chip Kelly steps in as head coach and he certainly has some weapons to play with up in Eugene with a great running game and QB Jeremiah Masoli, who showed towards the end of last year that he has the skills to run Kelly’s run-oriented spread offense very effectively. Oregon is lucky in that they have the Pac-10’s best home field advantage and host both USC and Cal, but unfortunately they are just not at the same level as either of the two.

4. Arizona. Arizona was disrespected at the Pac-10 media day, where they were selected to finish 8th in the conference after making a bowl game for the first time in a decade last year. While key players QB Willie Tuitama, OT Eben Britton, and WR Mike Thomas departed, the core of the defense remains in tact, which should be one of the Pac-10’s strongest. The big question mark is at quarterback, where neither Matt Scott or Nick Foles has been able to solidify the starting job. However, whoever wins the job will have many weapons to work with, including TE Rob Gronkowski, one of the nation’s best, and 1000 yard RB Nic Grigsby. Arizona should be the surprise of the conference, and that means a similar win count to last year.

5. Oregon State. The Beavers were very close to winning the Pac-10 last season, beating USC early in the year and leading the conference until losing to Oregon in the season finale. Sophomore RB Jacquizz Rodgers was the Pac-10 offensive player of the year award last season, and the diminutive back is a pain for defenses to take down, but only three starters return on defense, so growing pains are to be expected in Corvallis.

6. Stanford. The academic powerhouse has turned into a recruiting destination under coach Jim Harbaugh, who recently brought in a top 20 recruiting class. RB Toby Gerhart is solid, QB Andrew Luck was very highly touted out of high school, and the defense is strong in the front seven. However, the defensive backs are a major liability, and while this team could potentially end up making a bowl game, they aren’t among the conference’s best, but Harbaugh has the team headed in that direction.

7. Arizona State. The biggest problem with Arizona State is the offensive line. It’s simply not very good. Rudy Carpenter got killed last year, and there’s little reason to believe things will be better for new starting QB Danny Sullivan. The strength of the team is on the defensive line, which is solid all around. ASU’s defense will also get a boost if standout freshman LB Vontaze Burfict qualifies, but that’s a major question mark at this time.

8. UCLA. Lots of people are very confident UCLA will have a major improvement this year, but I think they are still a year away. Coach Rich Neuheisel has built winners before, and based on how he’s recruiting, it looks like he’s on that track at UCLA. However, the offensive line is still likely to be terrible, the running game will probably still be awful (it was a dreadful 116th in college football last year), and starting QB Kevin Prince has no collegiate experience. The defense should be solid, but UCLA is going to have a lot of problems putting points up on the board.

9. Washington. The good news: QB Jake Locker is back. He could be the best QB in the Pac-10 this season. Also, coach Steve Sarkisian has gotten off to a great start recruiting, and the school is becoming confident that success is on the horizon. However, success will not come this year. But it could be worse, they could be…..

10. Washington State. This program is seriously a mess. Second year coach Paul Wulff has a major rebuilding job to do, and based on early recruiting measures, it doesn’t look like he’s bringing too much talent in. The Cougars aren’t strong in any area, and the fact that they had open tryouts on campus for QB last year just says it all. It will be a long season this year in Pullman.