Pre Season Previews: Pac-10 Conference

This is the first installment of our previews of all things football, gearing up for the start of the football season in just over a month. We will be reviewing many NFL teams, as well as major college conferences. In this preview, i take a look at the Pac-10.

The Pac-10 has always been a top-heavy conference, with usually one or two really good teams, a couple decent teams, and a while lot of cellar dwellers. While this is a fact that many people use to trumpet the superiority of the league, seeing as how they've won or shared two National Titles in the last four years, and played for a third.

Personally, I think this is a joke. While USC has indeed been good, it has been much of a cakewalk for them throughout their own league. Playing the likes of Arizona, Arizona St, Standford, Washington, and Washington St, that's half the league that is terrible year in and year out. And between Oregon and Oregon St, one of those teams is also terrible every year. Easy conference schedule.

This year looks to be no different, with USC once again being the cream of the crop and the rest of the Pac-10 looking up at the Trojans. I expect USC to run through their league once again, and challenge for another National Championship.

Team to Beat: USC
As the saying goes, the Trojans don't rebuild, they just reload. USC is back with 10 starters from last years defense, as well as returning starting quarterback John David Booty. While the loss of Dwayne Jarrett and Steve Smith could hurt the passing game, figure the running game to be prominent once again, even if you haven't heard of any of their running backs heading into the season.

Surprising Team: Oregon
While a lot of people are going with the trendy pick of ASU and new Head Coach Dennis Erickson, Oregon is a team who could get looked past this year. Returning quarterback Dennis Dixon, as well as back-up Brady Leaf (yes, Ryan's younger brother), will provide stability behind center. They also return running back Jonathan Stewart, as well as all their top return men, which was a strength last year. Their away schedule appears to be favorable as well, with road games against Pac-10 doormats Washington, Stanford, and Arizona.

Disappointing Team: Arizona St.
I am going the opposite direction with the Sun Devils this year. With new coach Dennis Erickson, they are once again generating pre-season buzz. The problem, however, is that they are still ASU, continual under-achievers. Rudy Carpenter was inconsistent at best last year at quarterback, and the O line doesn't look to be much better this year. Their defense lost key players from last year, and could struggle throughout the season.

League MVP: John David Booty
The leader of the best team, an easy call. Booty should come into his own this year, even with a shaky receiver corp. And because USC is USC, he will most likely be in the running for the Heisman trophy throughout the season.


Back later this week with my next preview.