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Name: Pacific 10 Conference
Teams: 10 (what a novel concept)
Motto: "It's more than USC, we swear!"
2008 Bowl Record: 5-0
Some might say: "Any team could win the conference this season."
We say: "Start engraving USC on the trophy."
Burning Questions for '09: ?
- Does the '08 bowl record prove the strength of the conference?
- Will the teams in Washington combine for more than 3 wins this year?
- Can one of the Oregon teams challenge for the conference title?
As a Penn State blog, you're probably expecting us to start ripping on USC after that beatdown back in January, but we're not going to go that route. It's June, six months have passed and the tears stopped flowing about a mon-.... well, they stopped.
Year to year, it's hard for anyone to tell what's going to happen with the Pac-10. Well, actually, we have a pretty good idea. It goes something like this:
1. USC dominates their first couple games.
2. 2 or 3 teams are one game back.
3. USC loses to a team they shouldn't, then dominates the rest of the schedule.
4. Everyone else fades away.
Now, it's not going to go to script like that every year, but it's usually something close. USC has always killed teams in the early going -- like Ohio State -- then managed to lose to a team somewhere along the road -- like Oregon State or *gasp* Stanford. Then, true to form, the 1-loss Pac-10 team gets forgotten and some 2 loss SEC team makes their way to the BCS Title game.
In a lot of ways, us Big11Ten folk can empathize with the people in the Pac-10. It's usually just one or two teams running things and the rest along for the ride, yet for some reason the good teams get devalued just because of where they play. Of course, the big difference is those Pac-10 teams win their big bowl games while teams like Ohio State, Ohio State again and then most recently Penn State have lost on some of the biggest stages.
But back to what's going to happen in 09. Lets run down the few teams we think have a chance.
First up, California.
Why do they have a chance?
They have a legit Heisman quality running back in Jahvid Best, and 15 starters returning that put forth a 9-4 season last year. When you have a solid running game and an experienced team, you can win. Cal opens with Maryland, Eastern Washington and Minnesota before taking on conference giants Oregon and SC. Not the way anyone wants to start the conference schedule but if they manage to steal an early game against one of those two teams, they could easily be in the running for winning the conference.
Why won't they win?
A young quarterback. Not to say Kevin Riley can't get the job done, but everyone knows how these things work. When you have a young QB, it's likely your team will go through some growing pains with them.
Next we have Oregon State
Why do they have a chance?
They almost won last year and they return their two best players: The Rodgers brothers. We in Happy Valley saw Jacquizz Rodgers' coming out party during the second half of the PSU /OSU game last year and should know first hand what he can do. After being injured at the tail end of last season, both Rodgers' brothers will be back and essential to getting their team back to contending for the conference.
Why won't they win?
There is a chance the Sun Bowl team will come back to play. Remember that 3-0 beatdown they put on Pitt? Okay we really don't think that's why they won't win, we just wanted to mention Pitt losing 3-0 in a bowl game.
Next is Oregon.
Why do they have a chance?
Oregon always has a chance. They have solid teams year in and year out, they get great recruits and they play in an incredible atmosphere at home. They have options at quarterback this year -- including Jeremiah Masoli -- who played well last year, closing out the season with 4 wins and a 7-1 TD-INT ratio. When you have a quarterback that can play the system like Masoli does, you can win.
Why do they not?
Apparently, their lines graduated. Four offensive linemen are gone as well as three from the d-line. It's never good when you lose half as many linemen as Oregon did this past off-season. Patching up those lines will be essential. Oregon has also a tricky schedule. They play the usual Pac-10 schedule which is never easy but they also play two non-conference teams that could possibly pose a threat. After almost losing to Purdue early last year, Oregon will now travel to Boise State, a team that can never be taken lightly, and two weeks later will host Utah -- defending co-national champion (in our eyes, anyway). We're curious as to how long ago this schedule was made, and if Oregon had any idea what Utah and Boise State would turn into.
and finally, USC.
Why do they have a chance?
The same reasons they had a chance the last 6 years they won the conference. Is it 6? We've lost count. Pete Carroll walks into high school across the country and recruits hop on the chartered flight back to LA the next morning. USC has consistently had some of the best recruiting classes in the nation and will be able to field one of the most talented teams every year. They also have Pete Carroll and all he does is win. Simply put, USC has a chance to win because they are USC.
Why do they not?
They lost their QB, Mark Sanchez, to the NFL. Pete Carroll made a real play to get him to stick around another year, which might lead some people to think he's not exactly comfortable with whoever ends up under center for them next year. People also wondered about Booty and Sanchez but hey, they turned out all right.
Okay, so now it's time to prepare for a real shocker as we pick our winner:

*sigh*
We hate to see teams win every year, but you can't deny USC. They win, it's just what they do. Until someone beats them, we'll probably pick them every year.
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