Arizona surprised a lot of people with a 7-5 season in 2008. In 2009, there is a lot of replacing to do on the depth chart. Coach Mike Stoops and company will have to survive a somewhat difficult schedule to come up with a good season. Personally, I see a small step back in what will be a rebuilding season. Coach Stoops could find his seat warming by the end of the year.
Arizona State was possibly the most disappointing team in 2008 after going 5-7, making many forget about high expectations at the beginning of the year. Star quarterback Rudy Carpenter has graduated and new personnel will have to step up at the skill positions. One high note going in is that the Sun Devils return four starters to the offensive line. I see an improvement and possibly a bowl, but not much more.
California is as interesting a team as there is in all the country going into 2009. Running back Javid Best goes into the season as a top Heisman candidate after rushing for more than 1500 yards as a sophomore last year. The Bears have serious concerns on the offensive line, but their defense looks to be very tough. I see Cal in serious contention for the conference title in 2009 if they can answer these o-line questions.
Oregon was one of the best teams in the country at the end of last season, when the Ducks won their final four games and destroyed Oklahoma State in the Holiday Bowl. New coach Chip Kelly finally drops his “coach-in-waiting” tag after Mike Bellotti retired. Kelly will have to replace 13 starters, mostly on defense. I think the Ducks are good enough to contend for the Pac 10 title, but they will need some things to go in favor.
Oregon State was one of the biggest surprises in the country last season. The Beavers not only beat USC, but they also finished the year 9-4 on the season. The Beavers return all of their top skill players this year. The success of the team hinges on the play of quarterback Lyle Moevao, who had a great 2008 overall, but at times made some pivotal mistakes. I see Oregon State falling back to Earth in 2009.
Stanford is continuing to build a competing program under coach Jim Harbaugh. The Cardinal went 5-7 last season, but had moments where they looked like a very tough opponent. They return some very good skill players on offense and Harbaugh seems to continue as one of college football’s best young coaches. I think the Cardinal are good enough to be in a bowl game in 2009.
UCLA was better than expected under first-year coach Rick Neuheisel last season. The Bruins have a defense that has the potential to be nothing short of special this season. The success of the Bruins will have everything to do with their offense. The offense finished 116th in total offense nationally, and really struggled to move the ball. I think UCLA will have another good year and could compete for the Pac 10 title.
USC is once again the favorite to repeat as Pac 10 champion. The Trojans always seem to re-stock the talent that makes them a contender for a national title. This year they will have to answer a serious quarterback question in true freshman Matt Barkley and a very difficult schedule to be a champion again in the conference. I see a conference title, but a national title stays a year away.
Washington was one of the nation’s worst teams in 2008, finishing 0-12. Tyrone Willingham was fired and Steve Sarkisian is in as coach. He has a lot of work to do to even make the Huskies competitive. They will be better, but there is only one direction to go . up.
Washington State was flat out terrible last season. The Cougars did beat Washington, but they also lost every other game on the year. The Cougars are another team that doesn’t have to do much to improve. They will have to improve both sides of the ball in order to be competitive in 2009. I don’t see any chance for Wazzou being successful in this effort. They might be even worse than they were in 2008.
Pac 10 preview and awards
USC (10-2, 8-1)
Oregon (10-2, 7-2)
California (9-3, 6-3)
UCLA (8-4, 6-3)
Oregon State (7-5, 5-4)
Arizona State (7-5, 5-4)
Stanford (6-6, 5-4)
Arizona (4-8, 3-6)
Washington (2-10, 1-8)
Washington State (2-10, 0-9)
Player of the Year: Javid Best, California; Jeremiah Masoli, Oregon
Coach of the Year: Jim Harbaugh, Stanford; Rick Neuheisel, UCLA
Game of the Year: Sat. Oct. 31, USC @ Oregon