Welcome to the first day of college football….in about 4 hours we will be getting our first fix of the year. So quickly, before we lost too much more time…let’s take a quick look at the PAC-1 (USC) and the other nine teams that will be playing for second place in the Pacific Ten Conference.

USC - look for the Trojans to be playing in the BCS in Pasadena this year….Just not in the really important BCS game. The Trojans may be slipping a little, but it wont matter much in 2009. By slipping, I mean they probably will not play for a national title again this year…but look for them to dominate the PAC 10 and win their EIGHTH straight conference crown.  Some people will tell you that the three road games they play are a bit on the brutal side (Ohio State, Notre Dame, Oregon)…but they should come out of that 2-1 at worst. USC will do it with defense as usual. Defense you say? Yes…consider that USC allowed only 117 points last year while putting up 488. Much is being made of the departure of Mark Sanchez and no clear cut number one QB…but really – Mark Sanchez was a one year starter – can you really lose that much? As usual USC finds a way to get it done year after year. The tough test comes early against Ohio State on September 12th. If the lose here they need help to climb back up the rankings…but it will be early enough to recover from. A little help from Texas and Oklahoma….maybe they play for the BCS. Prediction 11-1 (Rose Bowl Champion)

Cal – Can you remember a team that is supposed to be better than expected every year only to fall short. Cal is probably better equipped to challenge for Pac 10 supremacy than anyone else in the conference, but continue to lose games they should win. Take 2008 for example, you play USC tough and hold them to 17 points but lose. Understandable….but get blown out by Arizona? get manhandle not by Oregon…but by Oregon State? 9-4 should be viewed as a huge disappointment last year…will it be enough to motivate the Bears in 09? I am looking for two losses on their schedule and trying to find another upset…I just cant. USC will beat them again…and they will get in their own way and lose to a team from Arizona or Oregon…just not sure which. It just seems that this team lacks the make up to turn the corner or take the “next big step..”  Can they beat UCLA in LA? Maybe…just maybe – USC gets to the title game and Cal goes to the Rose Bowl? Prediciton 10-2

Oregon – We get to see whether or not Oregon will be worthy of their top 20 ranking tonight when they face Boise State. I know this is a Pac 10 preview, but tonight game could be make or break for both programs seasons. Chip Kelly is a first year head coach, but he was the OC last year and was handed the job  when Mike Bellotti retired. The glaring weakness is going to be the offensive line with the loss of Max Unger and Fenuki Tupou.  Oregon scored a ton last year (545 points) but they gave up a bunch too…opponents averaged 28.2 ppg. Boise State, USC, Cal,  feast… an upset at the hands of UCLA? Prediction 9-3

Oregon State – Shocking statistic: Oregon State has won 28 games over the past three season – that’s the second highest total in the conference to USC’s 35. Somehow Mike Riley seems to get it done.Look for brothers Jacquizz and James Rodgers to carry the offense this year that avaeraged 30.5 ppg last season. With a very soft few games against Portland State, @ UNLV, and Cincinnati, the Beavers will be playing the Arizona teams back to back. There is a real possibility of 5-0 before taking on all four California teams in October. I wanna give them 9-3, but @ USC , @ Cal, @ Oregon are three losses – and either Stanford or UCLA take them down too. Prediction 8-4

UCLA – Ahhh Rick Neuheisel…talking shit doesn’t get you to the Rose Bowl…but it raises your programs profile. Bring in USC’s Norm Chow and put up billboards…well that creates some buzz. You have holes everywhere…yet you return 17 starters. So why so much optimism? Defense. If the offense can find ways to not lose games, the defense should keep them in most games until the end. Somewhere around 7-5 sounds about right to me.

Arizona State – The Sun Devils have one of the most experienced offensive lines in the conference. Too bad they have no running game to speak of. I may eat those words…but last year the Devils averaged 89.1 ypg and only seven rushing touchdowns. whats the word I am looking for? Oh yeah…potential. Running back by committee never really works that well does it? Well ASU has four options in Shaun DeWitty, Dimitri Nance, Jarerell Woods, and Ryan Bass.  A nice linebacking crew and Dexter Davis could improve points allowed this year which may get them an extra win…but…. Prediciton is 6-6

Arizona – Eight wins…was that a fluke? Tough to tell. Idaho and Toledo,  for two wins sound easy. Lets replace those with Central Michigan and Northern Arizona. No way they beat either Oregon team.. Cal and USC win easy as does Iowa. Can they beat AZ State this year? They did play USC tough last year (L 10-17) so I guess they got that going for them. I say 2008 =fluke. Prediction 6-6

Stanford – Respectable? I guess if that’s what you are striving for, that’s what you are going to get. Bowl eligible? That takes a sixth win. Will the Cardinals get it in 2009? I looked pretty hard…I can’t find it Prediction 5-7

Washington State – Who is worse in Washington, the Cougars or the Huskies. Well since the Cougars won last year they got the nod. They probably beat the Huskies again this year which will give them at least one win. The second will be a little tougher to come by because they replaced Portland State with SMU on the schedule. I say June Jones has SMU beating them this year… Prediction 1-11

Washington – 14 straight losses…when will the streak end? 15 ties the Pac 10 record which is a given since they open  with LSU. The Huskies better win against Idaho or the new record will be 26 by seasons end.

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