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.