2008 PAC-10 Discussion

[BB73]

There's a game thread for the USC-tOSU battle in September, and talk that's specific to that game belongs over there. This thread is for other talk about teams in the conference.

Can Mike Stoops finally get Arizona to make a run at the conference title?

Can Arizona State protect Rudy Carpenter and survive a tougher schedule?

Can Cal bounce back despite losing Forsett and most of their receivers?

Will Oregon look like the bowl team that pounded USF, or the team that collapsed at the end of the regular season after losing Dennis Dixon?

Will Oregon State get run over after losing the entire front seven from last year's stout defense?

Will Stanford come anywhere close to having a moment as large as last year's win at USC?

Will Rick Neuheisel and Norm Chow be able to keep their QBs upright and challenge their cross-town rival?

Will Mark Sanchez or Mitch Mustain be able to lead USC back to the top of the college football landscape?

Will Jake Locker's experience be enough to make up for U-Dub's defensive problems?

Will new coach Paul Wulff be able to make Wazzu a player in the conference race anytime soon?

cfn

It's still USC's Pac 10 world and everyone else is taking up space, but the rest of the league is catching up with Joe McKnight and the boys. Here's an early look-ahead at each Pac 10 team with what needs working on and why to be excited and grouchy.

Cont'd ...

[methomps]

Here is how you schedule OOC

Arizona
vs. Idaho
vs. Toledo
@ New Mexico

Arizona State
vs. Northern Arizona
vs. UNLV
vs. Georgia

Cal
vs. Michigan State
@ Maryland
vs. Colorado State

Oregon
vs. Utah State
@ Purdue
vs. Boise State

Oregon State
@ Penn State
vs. Hawaii
@ Utah

USC
@ Virginia
vs. Ohio State
vs. Notre Dame

Stanford
@ TCU
vs. San Jose State
@ Notre Dame

UCLA
vs. Fresno State
vs. Tennessee
@ BYU

Washington
vs. BYU
vs. Oklahoma
vs. Notre Dame

Wazzou
vs. Oklahoma State
@ Baylor
vs. Portland State

[MD Buckeye]

Rivals.com College Football - Work begins anew across country

Gives dates of spring practice & Spring Games. Also current buzz.

[muffler dragon]

I'm anticipating a rough year for the OSU Beavers next year. Riley, I'm sure, will keep them competitive in some way, shape or form. However, they are losing a LOT of players this year. Last I heard, the recruiting class is not going to be all that impressive. I imagine that the Ducks will win the Civil War in Corvalis, and start another string where the team wins away for 10 years straight instead of at home.

[BB73]

If this doesn't work out, it's Ty's fault.

si.com

Huskies QB Locker to play baseball

SEATTLE (AP) -- Washington quarterback Jake Locker could have spurned the Huskies altogether for the chance to play professional baseball.

Perhaps looking to satisfy his baseball side, Locker, the Pac-10 freshman of the year last season on the football field, will play baseball this summer for the Bellingham Bells.

Cont'd ...

[BB73]

cfn

Five teams that could be this year's Missouri and go from good to special ...

UCLA

Yeah, there are some big losses on both sides of the ball, but the cupboard is hardly bare for the new coaching staff. While Rick Neuheisel takes center stage, the key is Norm Chow, the former USC offensive coordinator who left for the Tennessee Titans and was in the running for the Bruin job. Chow has free reign over the offense, and he should do wonders with quarterbacks Ben Olson and Pat Cowan returning.

The recruiting class is loaded with ready-made players, but there are already some excellent pieces in place to win right now. Four of the first five games are at home, and if the Bruins can beat Fresno State, likely the WAC's best team, Tennessee, and win at BYU, the tone will be set for a huge year. The problem? Pac 10 road dates at Oregon, Cal and Arizona State.

[methomps]

UCLA has an equally good chance of being this year's early 2000s Missouri basketball and go from good to scandalous.

[BB73]

Some talk about ASU, Oregon, Oregon State, and U-Dub.

cfn

2008 Pac 10 Insider Spring Questions

With spring ball kicking in, here are some of the Pac 10's key questions answered by the inside sources, the Scout publishers.

Cont'd ...

[BB73]

Pac-10 Preview by Richard Cirminiello.

cfn

2008 Spring Preview - Pac 10

Is UCLA really going to turn the corner with a new coaching staff and Kahlil Bell returning this fall from a knee injury? As spring ball gets rolling, here are the big questions, the most important positions and more for each team in the CFN Spring Preview.

Cont'd ...

[BB73]

Transfer to Pullman instead of Gainesville? It's not like the Gators have RBs out the Wazzu.

sacbee

Montgomery chooses Washington State
His former coach says verbal commitment has been made

It looks like James Montgomery is going from one Pacific-10 Conference school to another.

Considered one of the Sacramento area's most recruited football players while at Cordova High School, Montgomery is transferring to Washington State after spending two seasons at Cal.

"He told me he has (verbal) committed to Washington State," said Max Miller, Montgomery's coach at Cordova.

Montgomery, who was released from his Cal scholarship on March 17, could not be reached for comment Monday.

Montgomery selected Washington State after visiting Florida and South Carolina. Florida was considered his likely choice because of Montgomery's reported interest in reuniting with former high school teammate and current Gators receiver Carl Moore.

Cont'd ...

[cincibuck]

Originally Posted by methomps

Here is how you schedule OOC

Arizona
vs. Idaho
vs. Toledo
@ New Mexico

Arizona State
vs. Northern Arizona
vs. UNLV
vs. Georgia

Cal
vs. Michigan State
@ Maryland
vs. Colorado State

Oregon
vs. Utah State
@ Purdue
vs. Boise State

Oregon State
@ Penn State
vs. Hawaii
@ Utah

USC
@ Virginia
vs. Ohio State
vs. Notre Dame

Stanford
@ TCU
vs. San Jose State
@ Notre Dame

UCLA
vs. Fresno State
vs. Tennessee
@ BYU

Washington
vs. BYU
vs. Oklahoma
vs. Notre Dame

Wazzou
vs. Oklahoma State
@ Baylor
vs. Portland State

I would have to agree. It's an impressive list of games, taking on solid programs in other conferences. Hats off here. (But I still hate USC 'cept when they play Notre Dame)

[BB73]

A week-by-week look at the Pac 10 schedules.

cfn

The 2008 Pac 10 Composite Schedule and Top Conference and Non-Conference Games

Top Ten Pac 10 Games
1. Oregon at USC, Oct. 4
2. USC at UCLA, Dec. 6
3. California at USC, Nov. 1
4. Arizona State at USC, Oct. 11
5. Oregon at California, Nov. 1
6. California at Arizona State, Oct. 4
7. UCLA at Oregon, Oct. 11
8. UCLA at Arizona State, Nov. 28
9. UCLA at California, Oct. 25
10. Oregon at Arizona State, Oct. 25

Top Ten Non, Conference Games
1. Ohio State at USC, Sept. 13
2. Georgia at Arizona State, Sept. 30
3. Tennessee at UCLA, Sept. 1
4. BYU at UCLA, Sept. 13
5. Boise State at Oregon, Sept. 20
6. Fresno State at UCLA, Sept. 27
7. USC at Virginia, Aug. 30
8. Notre Dame at USC, Nov. 29
9. Michigan State at California, Aug. 30
10. Oklahoma at Washington, Sept. 13

Cont'd ...

[BB73]

A look at the schedule for each team.

cfn

2008 Pac 10 Team-by-Team Schedule Breakdown

The Pac 10 does it right with everyone getting to play everyone else, but there are some fantastic non-conference games to get excited about, too. Check out the analysis and breakdown of each Pac 10 team's schedule.

Cont'd ...

[MD Buckeye]

ESPN - Cowan edges out Olson to open season as UCLA's starting QB - College Football

Originally Posted by ESPN.com

Cowan edges out Olson to open season as UCLA's starting QB

All signs point to a new quarterback starting under center for UCLA this fall.

New head coach Rick Neuheisel and offensive coordinator Norm Chow have settled on Patrick Cowan as the Bruins' signal caller for next season.

"We're giving Pat the first chance," Neuheisel told the Los Angeles Daily News. "We haven't made any decisions yet. We're just trying to see where it goes from there. If it gets to a position where we have to switch it over, then we have to switch it over."

During UCLA's first scrimmage on Saturday, Cowan took every snap with the first team and connected on seven of 11 passes for 78 yards and two touchdowns.

Contd...

[MD Buckeye]

Oregon Ducks, Dennis Dixon, NCAA Football - CBSSports.com

Originally Posted by sportsline.com

After being teased in '07, Oregon could be in for tantalizing season

Dennis Dixon worked out for NFL scouts last week. Threw well, probably improved his draft stock.

Talk about a tease.

If that wasn't the final reminder of how close Oregon got to the 2007 national championship game, then it was close to it. Dixon soon will be gone from campus, leaving behind a memory of almost. With Dixon at quarterback, the Ducks rose as high as No. 2 in the BCS standings in 2007. The quarterback was on his way to becoming a Heisman finalist -- at least.

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