PAC-10 Football Preview

We're about to begin the last season of PAC-10 football, (Stanford & UCLA open the PAC-10 season on Saturday) before expansion begins, & the league is as wide open as ever. Realistically 5 teams have a shot at winning the PAC, though only 4 of those can reach the Rose Bowl thanks to USC's restriction from post-season play (maybe that will cut down some of their arrogance), & all 5 have serious questions to answer. Can USC stay motivated without a light at the end of the tunnel? Will Oregon be the same without former QB Jeremiah Masoli? Can Oregon State & their new QB play well throughout the entire PAC-10 season? Will Jim Harbaugh be able to replace Toby Gerhart & complete his transformation of Stanford into a PAC-10 power? & of course the biggest question of all: Can Arizona do what every other PAC-10 team has done & make it to the Rose Bowl? Well let me answer those questions for you.

2010 PAC-10 Final Standings

1. Stanford 7-2 (10-2 overall) (Rose Bowl)

Coach Jim Harbaugh & QB Andrew Luck lead Stanford to its first Rose Bowl since its Jan 1, 2000 loss to Wisconsin thanks to wins over both Oregon State & Arizona.

2. OSU 7-2 (8-4) (Holiday Bowl)

OSU’s tough non-conference schedule pays off, as most of the PAC-1o proves much easier than TCU & Boise State.

3. Arizona 7-2 (10-2) (Alamo Bowl)

Arizona fails to make it to the Rose Bowl yet again, but Stoops & the Wildcats can take solace in their first 10-win season since 1998.

4. Oregon 6-3 (9-3) (Sun Bowl)

The loss of Masoli proves too much for the talented Ducks who fail to live up to pre-season expectations.

5. USC 5-4 (9-4) (None, ahahahaha!)

For the second year in a row USC proves overrated as they fade down the stretch.

6. Wash 4-5 (5-7)

Having the best QB in college football proves not enough as Jake Locker & Washington narrowly miss playing in a bowl.

7. ASU 3-6 (5-7)

Dennis Erickson may be looking for a new job as ASU’s offensive struggles once again keep them out of a bowl.

8. Cal 3-6 (6-6) (Las Vegas Bowl)

The Golden Bears prove to be consistently competitive but not consistent winners.

9. UCLA 3-6 (4-8)

For the 2^nd year in a row predictions of a UCLA break out season prove unfounded.

10. WSU 0-9 (1-11)

Washington State improves, just not in the win column.

Offensive Player of the Year: Andrew Luck (QB, Stanford) Amid the conference with the strongest quarterback play Luck outshines the others as he leads his team to the Rose Bowl.

Defensive Player of the Year: Rahim Moore (FS, UCLA) Moore once again proves to be on of the few bright spots on UCLA as he follows up his 10 interception 2009 with another stellar campaign.

Coach of the Year: Jim Harbaugh (Stanford) Harbaugh narrowly edges out perennial COY contender Mike Riley (OSU) & Arizona's Mike Stoops.