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Pac 10 Preview:
Projected MVP – QB John David Booty, USC; Offensive Player of the Yr – WR DeSean Jackson, Cal; Defensive Player of the Yr – DE Sedrick Ellis, USC; Best Newcomer – RB Jahvid Best, Cal; Best Scrambler – QB Dennis Dixon, Oregon; Best Cover Corner – CB Antoine Cason, Arizona
Top NFL Talent: 1. OT Sam Baker, USC 2. WR DeSean Jackson, Cal 3. CB Antoine Cason, Arizona 4. DT Sedrick Ellis, USC 5. LB Keith Rivers, USC 6. LB Rey Maulaluga, USC 7. RB Jonathan Stewart, Oregon 8. QB John David Booty, USC 9. DE Louis Holmes, Arizona 10. RB Yvenson Bernard, Oregon St
1. (#1 Nationally) USC – “When UCLA revealed its game plan following a 13-9 victory over USC, it was simple: Rattle QB John David Booty. USC is #1 based on Carroll’s coaching, a fast, experienced, talented defense and a year’s experience for QB John David Booty.”
2. (#12) Cal – “One of the best units in the country starts with DeSean Jackson – one of the top punt returners in NCAA history. Justin Forsett is expected to be the primary kickoff returner, giving Cal a dynamic return tandem.”
3. (#22) UCLA – “The pressure from watching USC dominate (despite UCLA’s stunning upset last season) is getting heavy. With 20 returning starters, the time is now for UCLA. The Bruins might not be able to catch USC over the course of a nine-game conference schedule, but they have the talent to finish ahead of everyone else.
4. (#30) Arizona State – “Fired Coach Dirk Koetter left behind plenty of talent on offense. What new coach Dennis Erickson brings to the mix is a proven system that will return ASU’s vertical passing game while putting in a shotgun formation, which quarterback Rudy Carpenter played out of high school.”
5. (#32) Oregon State – “Sean Canfield, a strong-armed lefty pocket passer, has been groomed for this moment for the last two years. Yvenson Bernard is one of the best tailbacks in the country and will be the primary focus to the attack. The tough senior was Pac-10 first team. Split end Sammie Stroughter was a third-team All-American as a multi-purpose player.”
6. (#46) Arizona – “Whether it’s a bold experiment or an act of desperation – or both – coach Mike Stoops knew he had to do something different on offense. He went to the extreme. He brought in a Texas Tech-styled spread passing attack. In is Sonny Dykes, the former co-offensive coordinator at Texas Tech.”
7. (#47) Oregon – “A spread offense guru, Chip Kelly, will be aggressively calling the shots while using a no-huddle and shotgun sets. QB Dennis Dixon can be a star.”
8. (#66) Washington – “Willingham appears to be making some progress in getting the program back on stable footing, but it might not be reflected in the win-loss record this season. The Huskies face a brutal schedule, particularly early, and are breaking in a new QB in Jake Locker, who, while undeniably talented, is still untested.”
9. (#71) Washington State – “Alex Brink, if not in WSU’s rocket-armed quarterback mold, has at least proven himself an adept game manager and reader of defense.”
10. (#79) Stanford – “With eight home games and a new intense and motivating coach in Jim Harbaugh, the Cardinal could reach four wins.”
