It is that time folks. College Football will be here next weekend finally! i love this time of the year. I am going to talk about the pac 10 this year and give my predictions on what i think will happen.
Here in order is how i think they will finish and then i will explain why
Oregon
Oregon State
Arizona
Stanford
USC
CAL
UCLA
Washington
Arizona State
Washington State
Oregon returns very strong in the Pac 10 and i feel they will win the conference again and return to the Rose Bowl! I am an Oregon Duck fan but i do feel they have the best team to compete and repeat as Pac 10 Champs. With Darron Thomas starting at QB they will be very deadly running their spread offense. Darron Thomas is said to be the next Dennis Dixon at Oregon. He is a sophmore QB that is lightning fast and can throw the ball. He is the complete package. Oregon's Defense returns stronger then ever and i think they will be better then last years with 9 players returning. They did lose Nick Reed who is now a Seattle Seahawk. But they will be just fine and dominate again.
Oregon State came so close to going to the Rose Bowl last year but losing in one of the most historic Civil Wars ever to be played at Autzen Stadium. I actually was able to attend the game last year and it was amazing. Lead by Jacquizz Rodgers in the backfield is said to have a shot at the Heisman this year, me personally i just don't think he will. He is a very solid player but Oregon State has packed their schedule with very tough preseason opponents and i think that will hurt his chances. TCU and Boise State on the road will test Oregon State early in the season. They host some tough Pac 10 teams this year as well : USC, CAL, and Oregon will all be very tough games for the Beavers
Arizona i think will finish 3rd this season. They were very solid last year and almost pulled off a huge upset against Oregon on their own turf in a grueling battle, the game went into double overtime and Oregon ended up winning. But Arizona will only return 3 Defensive Starters but i think Nick Foles will have a really good year and help them finishing 3rd in the Pac 10.
Stanford will also be another tough opponent this year in the Pac 10. They lost Toby Gearhart to the NFL but still have Andrew Luck returning at QB who had an amazing first year last year.
USC will have a decent year this year but wont contend, partly because of their 2 year ban from any bowl games. But Matt Barkley will come back as the Starter and i think with time he will end up having a very good college career like most all USC QB's.
Cal returns 15 starters but lost a huge key to their offense in Jahvid Best who is now a Detroit Lion. Kevin Riley will return as their QB and continue to lead their offense.
UCLA is going to have a tough year ahead of them. With a very tough road schedule. Going to Kansas State and also playing Houston and the Pac 10 wont be much easier for them to say the least.
Although Jake Locker is returning for the Huskies they will also have a rough year. I think Locker is one of the best if not the best QB in the Nation but he just doesnt have the pieces around him to contend in the Pac 10. They will win a few Pac 10 games but thats about it. Traveling to BYU and hosting Nebraska preseason will also be a couple tough games for them.
Rounding out the last two spots are Arizona State and Washington State who will both struggle big time in my opinion. Both have very young teams and are in the Rebuilding stages or their programs. Maybe in a couple years they will have a shot to contend... but for now... i don't see it happening this year.
A few other predictions
Player of the year: LaMichael James-Oregon (also will be a Heisman Finalist)
Defensive Player of the Year- Stephen Paea-Oregon State
Coach of the Year- Chip Kelly
Well this wraps it up for my own Pac 10 Football preview. Hope you all enjoyed! Feel Free to give your opinions and feedback!
