| 1. USC Trojans - USC has been taken down a | | | | three straight winning campaigns, but a suspect |
| few notches since missing out on at least a share | | | | defense will keep them from competing for the |
| of the Pac-10 title for the first time since 2001 | | | | conference crown. |
| last season. Now, the program will have to suffer | | | | 6. Washington Huskies - Led by NFL prospect |
| through a two-year bowl ban and a reduced | | | | Jake Locker, an offense which returns 9 starters |
| amount of scholarships. While not having the | | | | should be one of the toughest units to stop in the |
| opportunity to compete for a national title stinks, | | | | league. The problem is that Washington's defense |
| there should still be plenty of excitement | | | | might not stop anybody. After all, the Huskies |
| surrounding USC football after new head coach | | | | allowed 31 or more points six times last year. If |
| Lane Kiffin locked up the nation's best recruiting | | | | this unit can make a bigger stride than expected, |
| class. Winning the Pac-10 is USC's Super Bowl this | | | | the Huskies could be a sleeper. |
| season, and I fully expect the Trojans to get the | | | | 7. California Golden Bears - Shane Vareen showed |
| job done. | | | | that he can have big games in Jeff Tedford's |
| 2. Oregon Ducks - Oregon appeared to poised to | | | | offense. This means that we shouldn't see much |
| win the Pac-10 again in 2010 until starting QB | | | | of a drop off, if any at all, following the departure |
| Jeremiah Masoli was convicted of theft charges | | | | of Jahvid Best. Where we will see a drop off is on |
| that will cost him the season. The offense will still | | | | the defensive side of the football where the |
| be good, but not as good with either Nate Costa | | | | losses of Tyson Alualu and Syd'Quan Thompson |
| or Darron Thomas running the show. I expect this | | | | will really hurt. |
| year's conference title to come down to an | | | | 8. UCLA Bruins - The Bruins have been making |
| October 30th showdown at USC, which I have | | | | progress under Rick Neuheisel. The team built off |
| the Trojans winning. They will be hungry to | | | | of its 4-8 campaign in 2008 and went 7-6 last |
| avenge last year's loss in Eugene, and they will | | | | season. The progress should continue in 2010, but |
| get the benefit of playing the game following a | | | | unfortunately it may not be seen in the win |
| bye week. | | | | column due to a tough schedule which includes |
| 3. Oregon State Beavers - It takes solid | | | | non-conference contests with Texas, Houston |
| quarterback play to win big games, and that's | | | | and K-State. |
| something the Beavers likely won't have the | | | | 9. Arizona State Sun Devils - ASU won just 2 |
| luxury of following the departures of both Sean | | | | games in Pac-10 play last season, and that |
| Canfield and Lyle Moevao. The Beavers will win a | | | | number could be reduced to 1 with the Sun Devils |
| lot of games thanks to the explosive Rodgers | | | | having to go to Washington this year. The Sun |
| brothers, but they will probably come up short | | | | Devils did boast one of the very best defenses in |
| against Oregon and USC again in 2010. | | | | the Pac-10 in 2009, but a poor offense wasn't |
| 4. Stanford Cardinal - The Cardinal will miss | | | | able to put enough points on the board to win |
| Heisman Trophy runner-up Toby Gerhart, but I | | | | many games. |
| still think they will remain competitive. Now that | | | | 10. Washington State Cougars - The Cougars |
| Gerhart is gone, it will be Andrew Luck's time to | | | | finished 1-11 last season, including 0-9 in Pac-10 |
| shine at the QB position. Some experts project | | | | play. They are now just 3-22 two years in with |
| him as a top-10 NFL draft pick. | | | | Paul Wulff, and it figures to be another trying |
| 5. Arizona Wildcats - Arizona has produced | | | | season. |
| consecutive winning seasons for the first time | | | | If you would like to get my take on all the other |
| since the late 1990s. A good offense, led by QB | | | | leagues across the country, be sure to check out |
| Nick Foles and running back Nate Grigsby, will give | | | | my 2010 college football predictions. |
| the Wildcats an excellent opportunity to make it | | | | |
