Picks, Picks, Picks: Pac-10 Football

We will be starting a segment known as "Picks, Picks, Picks" where we each pick something on one topic.

Today we will make our picks for the Pac-10 standings.

1. University of Southern California. This is most vulnerable the Trojans have been in years, with major turnover at key positions, both on the field and in the coaching staff. The perennial powers are reloading on defense, and have little experience at the quarterback position. However, their offensive line returns intact, and so does their stable of running backs. It is also hard to imagine Pete Carrol losing the Pac-10 crown, but the Trojans do play most of their big conference games on the road (at both Cal and Oregon).

2. California. The Bears return the nation's best running back, Heisman candidate, Jahvid Best, who will be spelled by the equally capable Shane Vereen. The loss of All-Everything Center Alex Mack, and three stellar linebackers will hurt the Bears, but Defensive coordinator has a front 3 that returns intact in addition to a full returning secondary. The big issue for Cal is at quarterback. Last season Nate Longshore and Kevin Riley split time, and the QB play was inconsistent at best. With Longshore out of the way, can Riley and Head Coach Jeff Tedford upset the Trojans and go to their first Rose Bowl in 50 years?

3. Oregon. The Ducks do have a new Head Coach in Chip Kelly, who was the Offensive coordinator behind Mike Belloti who has moved on to become Oregon's Athletic Director. The Ducks return running back LaGarret Blount and quarterback Jeremiah Masoli, and figure to have the same firepower on offense as last year despite the loss of 2nd round draft pick, Max Unger. The biggest question marks are on the defensive side of the ball, where the secondary looks thin, among other things. Oregon does have a favorable conference schedule, hosting both Cal and USC.

4. Stanford. I'm picking Stanford here because the Cardinal have an absolutely stellar coach in Jim Harbaugh, and a great young quarterback (by all accounts) in Andrew Luck. With a little luck, the Cardinal can take some of the pressure off Luck with their running game, which returns Toby Gerhart. However, Cardinal have yet to prove themselves on defense. This is a bit of a stretch pick, but the Cardinal can finish in the top 4 if their denfense steps up and they win a couple of games on the road.

5. Arizona. This year the 'Cats return most of their starters from a team that went to a bowl game last year. Mike Stoops will have to find a replacement for Willie Tuitama, who ran the Wildcats' Air Raid passing attack so well. Whoever steps in at quarterback will have Rob Gronkowski (probably the best tight end in the nation) to help him out, in addition to a backfield that returns intact. Arizona is plenty experienced on defense, however a tough road schedule cold be the 'Cats achllies heel this year.

6. Oregon State. The Beavers return both Jaquizz and James Rodgers, two of the Pac-10's best playmakers. Lyle Moevao, who is the Pac-10's leading returning passer will have to compete against Sean Canfield for the starting job, and the Beavers have some questions to answer on defense. Mike Riley's teams are notorious for starting late, and this year they may not be able to make up that ground.

7. UCLA. This is a bit of pessimistic pick at 7 for UCLA. 2nd year Head Coach Rick Neuheisel will have a strong defense, but the Bruins are still looking for answers on offense, particularly at quarterback.

8. Arizona State. Again, this is probably lower than the Sun Devils deserve, but Dennis Erickson will have a difficult time getting his program back on track. Arizona State has major questions at quarterback, but could easily finish much higher.

9. Washington. New Head Coach Steve Sarkisian and his touted coaching staff should have the Huskies back on their feet within the next few years, and has been recruiting excellently. However this year they will be as bad as ever, with no more than 2 conference wins.

10. Washington State. The Cougs are still a long way off from having any success. Head Coach Paul Wuff is trying to rebuild a program that has recently fallen in the BCS trashcan. After a 2-11 season with their only win coming against Washington in the Apple Cup (affectionately known now as the crapple cup), Washington State can expect no more than 2 conference wins this year, if they are lucky.