2007 Pac 10 Conference Football Predictions & Season Preview


June 5, 2008 | Posted By Larry Cook

The Pac-10 is one of the only conferences with basically a clear-cut winner. USC might have the best defense in the country and an impressive array of talent everywhere. Their only minor weakness is that the receiving corps is unproven, but with Pete Carroll’s recruiting prowess there will be playmakers stepping to the forefront of this 2007 group as well. The Trojans won this conference last year despite being tagged vulnerable. USC won’t be touched this season.

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Cal will come in a close second just ahead of UCLA. The Cal Bears have a dangerous quarterback in Longshore and a big-play receiver in Jackson to lead an explosive offense. Cal is the second-best program in the Pac-10 and for now that will have to do. UCLA has undeniable talent and experience with 20 starters returning for the 2007 campaign. Olson won the QB battle, but who knows if it will stick. The Bruins are on the upswing, but they won’t catch USC as they did last season.

The next tier of teams comes with Arizona State leading the way. Dennis Erickson is an upgrade at head coach and an 8-game home slate will make things much easier in his first year. Rudy Carpenter is a proven quarterback to go along with a solid running game to keep the Sun Devils in the top half of the Pac-10. Oregon State returns 18 starters with their strength coming on the defensive side at linebacker and in the secondary. The Beavers have to replace Matt Moore at quarterback though, and his successor is yet to be determined.

Arizona will be winning games with their defense. 10 starters return from the league’s third best scoring defense. The Wildcat offense was so bad that they will be starting over with a spread passing attack. This side of the ball certainly will improve. Oregon has most of their key guys back from and offense that led the league. There are questions in the defensive front seven though. This looks like another .500 season for the Ducks. Washington is a program that is finally regaining stability under Willingham. Quarterback Locker is supposed to be their best QB since Tuiasosopo. Their brutal schedule will keep the Huskies in the bottom half again though.

Washington State will be able to put points on the board behind QB Alex Brink and some good receivers. A troublesome secondary will have opposing quarterbacks putting up career games throughout the year. Jim Harbaugh takes over the reigns of the Stanford Cardinal after a 1-11 season. It obviously can’t get any worse with an upset or two being very possible. The Pac-10 is one of the most clear-cut conferences with USC winning hands down. Cal and UCLA should be a good race for the second spot until the final few games and the winner receivers perhaps a BCS at-large bowl bid.

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