Top 5 Pac 10 Football Teams For 2008
The Pac 10 has always been thought of the as an offensive minded conference and cant run with the big boys of college football.
This year led by USC Trojans the Pac 10 will be considered a superior conference and schools that go on the road to the west coast will soon find out that the Pac 10 should not be taken lightly.
Predictions: USC Trojans: For as good as the Pac 10 has gotten over the years the conference still belongs to the Trojans.
They lost plenty of talent but when you are USC you have no problems finding replacements and they have young stars ready to keep USC on top of the college football world.
Joe McKnight will be the next coming of Reggie Bush and will keep the offense on a high scoring pace.
They have some tough games on the schedule but they will dominate the Pac 10.
Projected Finish: First in the Pac 10; 11-1 Arizona St.
Sun Devils: Dennis Erickson took over the program and they surprised the country jumping as high as six in the rankings.
Superstar QB Rudy Carpenter returns as a senior and the team looks poised to make another good run this year.
With an improved pass rush on defense if the Sun Devils can protect Carpenter then they will have some big wins.
They must prove they can play well against good teams as that was their down fall last year.
Projected Finish: Second in the Pac 10; 9-3 Oregon St.
Beavers: The next several teams in the conference should be in a dog fight for third.
By almost default we will list the beavers in this spot.
Mike Riley will have to do a lot of work as the beavers lost their leading rusher and the entire front seven on defense.
Senior Sammie Stroughter is back after an injury and will be the playmaker on offense they need, but a few critical losses could throw the beavers from third to sixth in a hurry.
Projected Finish: Third in the Pac 10; 8-4 California Bears: This is a make or break season for Cal.
They could potentially plummet to the basement or surprise some people and jump up the rankings.
They will have to replace a lot of players to show promise and have a QB controversy brewing.
Led by Jahvid Best in the backfield Cal has potential play makers at almost every position.
The defense will be solid enough but the key is at QB, if that works out the Bears can surprise.
Projected Finish: Fifth in the Pac 10; 7-5 Arizona Wildcats: Many experts don't have many hopes for the Wildcats but I think they will be the breakout team of the Pac 10 this year.
Mike Stoops is on the proverbial hot seat and will be equipped with a returning offense that can get him the wins they need.
Willie Tuitama is back at the helm for the cats and brings back most of his offense.
The key will be how Stoops works his offense with 8 new starters.
The good news is that is his specialty and with a soft schedule the cats will surprise.
Projected Finish: Sixth in the Pac 10.
This year led by USC Trojans the Pac 10 will be considered a superior conference and schools that go on the road to the west coast will soon find out that the Pac 10 should not be taken lightly.
Predictions: USC Trojans: For as good as the Pac 10 has gotten over the years the conference still belongs to the Trojans.
They lost plenty of talent but when you are USC you have no problems finding replacements and they have young stars ready to keep USC on top of the college football world.
Joe McKnight will be the next coming of Reggie Bush and will keep the offense on a high scoring pace.
They have some tough games on the schedule but they will dominate the Pac 10.
Projected Finish: First in the Pac 10; 11-1 Arizona St.
Sun Devils: Dennis Erickson took over the program and they surprised the country jumping as high as six in the rankings.
Superstar QB Rudy Carpenter returns as a senior and the team looks poised to make another good run this year.
With an improved pass rush on defense if the Sun Devils can protect Carpenter then they will have some big wins.
They must prove they can play well against good teams as that was their down fall last year.
Projected Finish: Second in the Pac 10; 9-3 Oregon St.
Beavers: The next several teams in the conference should be in a dog fight for third.
By almost default we will list the beavers in this spot.
Mike Riley will have to do a lot of work as the beavers lost their leading rusher and the entire front seven on defense.
Senior Sammie Stroughter is back after an injury and will be the playmaker on offense they need, but a few critical losses could throw the beavers from third to sixth in a hurry.
Projected Finish: Third in the Pac 10; 8-4 California Bears: This is a make or break season for Cal.
They could potentially plummet to the basement or surprise some people and jump up the rankings.
They will have to replace a lot of players to show promise and have a QB controversy brewing.
Led by Jahvid Best in the backfield Cal has potential play makers at almost every position.
The defense will be solid enough but the key is at QB, if that works out the Bears can surprise.
Projected Finish: Fifth in the Pac 10; 7-5 Arizona Wildcats: Many experts don't have many hopes for the Wildcats but I think they will be the breakout team of the Pac 10 this year.
Mike Stoops is on the proverbial hot seat and will be equipped with a returning offense that can get him the wins they need.
Willie Tuitama is back at the helm for the cats and brings back most of his offense.
The key will be how Stoops works his offense with 8 new starters.
The good news is that is his specialty and with a soft schedule the cats will surprise.
Projected Finish: Sixth in the Pac 10.
