Ranking the Pac-10: UCLA

8. UCLA

I struggled to place UCLA ahead of ASU because I figure that the Bruins will have more injuries this year that keep them from playing at full speed. The coaching staff in LA is able to hype their offense year after year, but they are always able to fall back on "We are not operating at full strength". I decided to rank UCLA ahead of ASU based on teams operating at full strength.

The new offensive experiment this year is the "Pistol offense", made popular by Nevada. The Pistol is a mix between a short shotgun and a single back rushing attack. The running back lines up directly behind the quarterback that is 2-3 yards behind the line of scrimmage. This allows the RB to get a head of steam before taking the ball. This formation also allows the QB the ability to survey the Defense with a shorter drop than a QB playing under center. This offense works wonders for nearly every one that uses it, but those teams typically have terrible defenses. UCLA has a formidable defense year in and year out, so this new offense is a reason for them to be excited.

The problems: 1) Young talent. Neuheisel has a bunch of young/highly regarded players that lack maturity. This team will be dangerous in a year, but this year figures to be a building block. 2) Norm Chow. This man has been called an offensive guru in the past. That title needs to be taken away until he can form an offense that ranks in the top 50 in any offensive category. Only 22 points per game is a joke in a conference that is known only for offense.

Season outlook: This season can be magical, but my prediction is that Neuheisel and Co. will be hitting the recruiting trail early as no LA team plays past December 4th. I wish every team could schedule like UCLA has this year. They open at Kansas St and go to Texas, with Stanford and Houston sandwiched in between. UCLA will be able to make it past Kansas State to open the season. Then I see 3 straight losses to 2 elite QBs and and elite team in Texas. UCLA will beat Washington State and steal one vs. Oregon State or @Cal. The upset for UCLA will be on the road against Washington.

Final Prediction: 4-8 (3-5)
Homer Prediction: 9-3 (7-2)

8. UCLA
9. Arizona State
10. Washington State

Ranking the Pac 10: Arizona State

The season officially begins in 10 days. Today I will continue ranking the Pac-10 as well as previewing how the Colorado and Utah seasons should pan out.

9. Arizona State

The Sun Devils ended the 2009 season with a 4-8 record and 2-7 in the Pac 10 which was good enough for 9th. I expect more of the same from a team that presented a mediocre offensive attack last year. The defense is strong and will continue to be strong, but ASU needs to score points to be able to win games in an Offense oriented conference.

Biggest question mark this season is QB (not a position that can easily be over looked). It appears that Steven Threet will win the job. Threet started his career at Michigan with an unimpressive freshmen year that left him on the outside of a QB carousel. I'm not one to believe a QB can change dramatically over a red shirt season because all of his reps last year were geared toward replicating other offenses. If Threet can get into a rhythm, he has the potential to operate as a point guard for this offense. Watch for him to put up numbers in the first two week in preparation for Wisconsin.

Arizona State appears to think that they are an SEC power with their yearly OOC slots consistently filled with two-thirds FCS and one part real football. This year the Sun Devils go to Wisconsin to face a Defensive/Run Oriented Big 10 team. ASU will enter their Pac 10 opener with 1 loss against Oregon @home. They will need to be able to compete with Oregon better than they have in previous years, or this will be just the beginning of a deadly stretch in the Pac. After going to Wisconsin and playing Oregon at home, the Devils go on the road for 3 games at Oregon St, Washington, and Cal. Five consecutive losses (as I expect) means the end to another sub par season for Dennis Erickson. They will beat WSU before entering another stretch that appears to offers two opportunities for victory at home with Stanford and UCLA. I can see ASU winning 1 of these 2 games, but ASU football is on it's way up.

Final prediction: 4-8 (2-7)
Homer Prediction: 7-5 (4-5)

9. Arizona State
10. Washington State

Ranking the Pac 10: Washington State

The season officially begins in 12 days, so today I will start ranking the Pac-10 as well as previewing how the Colorado and Utah seasons should pan out.




10. Washington State
The Cougs are slotted last in my rankings becaues of their inability to win a Pac-10 game (or even threatening to win a Pac-10 game) last year. They would have matched the 0-12 season of Washington 2008 if not for a miraculous come from behind win against SMU fueled by two interceptions returned for touchdowns in the 4th quarter.

Expect the Cougars to be more competitive this year, but don't count on more than 2 wins. The season starts at Oklahoma State on Sept 4th. WSU doesn't have a chance to win this game, but there are positives that they hope to take from the contest. 1) The Cougars NEED to escape this game without any major injuries (mainly to starting QB Jeff Tuel). If the Cougs go down big early, expect Paul Wulff to insert Marshall Lobbestael at QB to preserve the health of Tuel. 2) The offense and defense need to pose a threat to opposing teams. Last year they were unable to sustain an offensive rhythm ranking last in the FBS at 12 ppg. The defense ranked next to last in Points Allowed last year at 38.5 ppg. If Washington State can avoid disaster in Boon Pickens Stadium, they should have the confidence to potentially win 2 straight.

The Cougars will take advantage of and FCS team with Montana State coming to town for their first victory in 11 games. The SMU game in the 3rd week is make or break for WSU. June Jones has a high powered Run and Shoot offense that was in position to beat the Cougars until a 4th quarter collapse a year ago. A loss here for the Cougs could be the end of the road for Paul Wulff's short tenure in Pullman. If Washington State can put together a defensive plan to slow down the Mustangs, they have a chance to win if they can find the end zone 3 times. I expect a loss in Dallas and from there the only question is whether or not Wulff is fired mid-season. Only opportunity for a Pac-10 win appears to be vs Cal on November 6th at home. The temperatures will need to be freezing and Cal will need to be on another 2nd half collapse in their season in order for this upset to happen. In reality, I expect Cal to win by 24+.

Final Prediction: 1-11
Homer (best case in fans minds) Prediction: 3-10

10)Washington State