Pac 10 Preview

Predicted Order of Finish

USC | 9-0 | 12-0

UCLA | 6-3 | 9-3

Oregon | 6-3 | 8-4

Oregon St | 6-3 | 9-3

Arizona St | 5-4 | 8-4

California | 5-4 | 7-5

Arizona | 3-6 | 5-7

Washington St | 3-6 | 5-7

Washington | 2-7 | 3-10

Stanford | 0-8 | 0-12



USC will again be one of the best teams in the nation this year. After losing two games in a season for the first time since 2002, they have an excellent chance to go undefeated and play in the BCS National Championship game. The offense was second in the conference in points scored, although it was there lowest showing since the 2001 season. The offense should improve this year under senior QB John David Booty, who many consider the leading Heisman candidate in the preseason. If there is a question mark anywhere in the offense, it's the receivers. With Dwayne Jarrett and Steve Smith becoming second round NFL Draft picks, the new starters are inexperienced but very talented. The defense should be one of the best Pete Carroll has ever had. There are 10 starters returning, so this is a very experienced group. Even with non-conference road trips to Nebraska and Notre Dame, the Trojans should still be 12-0 at the end of the season and playing for another National Championship.


UCLA won 10 games in 2005, and they look prepared to match that number in 2007. The offense wasn't great last year, so most of the games were won by the defense. Expect the offense to be vastly improved, with all of last year's starters back except for the LT. The QB play of last season was erratic as Patrick Cowan and Ben Olson split time under center. Olson was injured in the fifth game of the season, but he will be the starter this year. If he stays healthy, the QB play will be more consistent and put up better numbers. The defense was great last year and could be even better this year. 10 starters return, but the loss of DE Justin Hickman and his 12.5 sacks is a big one. The Bruins should win a lot of games, but will need a few breaks to challenge for the conference championship.


Oregon was one of the best teams in the conference until they lost their last four games. When the offense was clicking, it was one of the best. It should be good again this season behind QB Dennis Dixon and RB Jonathan Stewart. Dixon should cut back on his mistakes now that he's a senior and Stewart looks poised for a breakout year. The only problem with the offense was turnovers. They turned the ball over 32 times, most in the conference. The defense gave up a lot of points, but not a lot of yardage. In fact, Oregon outgained its opponents by an average of over 100 yards per game. Everything is pointing to the Ducks having a great year.


Oregon St won 10 games last year but are unlikely to accomplish that feat again. The offense does have great skill players in RB Yvenson Bernard and WR Sammie Stroughter, but must break in a sophomore as the new starting QB. The defense was middle of the pack last year, but did force 32 turnovers to lead the conference. It is very difficult to get that many takeaways two years in a row. In the last three games, they won by a combined total of six points. If they get consistent quality play from their new QB and the defense is solid, it could be another great season for the Beavers.


Arizona St should have a great offense this season. If the defense comes around, they will have an excellent year. Head coach Dirk Koetter was let go at the end of last season, and former Idaho head coach Dennis Erickson replaces him. QB Rudy Carpenter went through a sophomore slump, but RB Ryan Torain had a huge year. Behind a veteran offensive line, both could have good years and the offense will be much improved. The defense is the big question mark. It doesn't have to be great since the offense will score a lot. Even with a coaching change, the Sun Devils will be an improved team.


California won 10 games last year including a blowout of Texas A&M in the Holiday Bowl. This year may be a bit of a rebuilding year for them. Gone is RB Marshawn Lynch to the NFL. He had over 1500 total yards, 15 TDs and was named the Pac 10 Offensive Player of the Year. RB Justin Forsett takes over for Lynch, and while he will be good, his production won't be that high. WR DeSean Jackson returns and should be one of the best receivers in the country. Look for him to have several big plays catching the ball and returning punts. Actually this could be the nation's best group of receivers. The defense looks like it's taking a step back, sonce five starters are gone, three of whom were drafted. Unless the defense is better than expected, the Golden Bears won't repeat as conference co-champs.


Arizona just missed out on a bowl last season when they lost the season finale to instate rival Arizona St. Last year's offense never got off the ground, ranking ahead of only Stanford in the conference in points scored and total yards. The offense loses RB Chris Henry who declared early for the NFL Draft. The offense as a whole unit will have to step up to get them back to a bowl. On the other side of the ball, the defense is one of the best in the conference and could e even better this year. Most of last year's starters return, so this is an experienced and talented group. If the Wildcats can pull off a couple of upsets behind their killer defense, they could be playing in their first bowl game in the Mike Stoops era.


Washington St could be an underrated team, especially if the defense is better than expected. This team also missed out on a bowl when they lost the season finale to Washington by three points at home. The offense should be improved behind senior QB Alex Brink who should cut down on his mistakes in his last season. RB Dwight Tardy showed potential as a freshman, and now he needs to live up to it in his second season. The defense is suspect because it lacks experience. The Cougars haven't been bowling since 2003 and won't make it this year without a couple of surprise wins.


Washington started off last season 4-1 before losing six straight, including an embarrassing 20-3 loss to Stanford at home. It was Stanford's only win of the year. The starting QB of last year is gone and now there is a battle for the position between last year's back up senior Carl Bonnell and top recruit redshirt freshman Jake Locker. The projected starting RB wasn't eligible his freshman season, so he doesn't have any experience either. The defense wasn't great last year, and it doesn't look that improved this year. The out-of-conference schedule is killer with games against Boise St, Ohio St and Hawaii. The Huskies are probably going to have a bad year.


Stanford is in a transition year with coaching change. Head coach Walt Harris was let go after last season, and he is replaced by Jim Harbaugh. Harbaugh was the head coach at D1-AA San Diego where he went 27-2 over his last 29 games. The offense ranked second to last in the entire country in points scored, only ahead of FIU. They were also next to last in total yards, ahead of only Temple. It is going to take a lot to make those numbers respectable again. The defense had its problems too, ranking last in the conference in points and total yards allowed. Harbaugh was a great hire, but he has his work cut out for him. The Cardinal might not even win a game this year.