2006 Pac 10 Football
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2008
Pac 10 Football Predictions!
When talking about the 2006 Pac
10 football season, you have to start with the USC
Trojans. Will they be able to get back to another title
game or was last season’s loss to Texas a bad omen ?
Let’s just say trying to replace Leinart, Bush, and
White won’t be easy; it will be impossible. USC might
not be able to make it back to the title game, but they
still have to be the favorite to take the Pac 10 despite
probable QB trouble this season. Great QB play has been
a staple at USC in recent years, but it could take a
major back slide in 2006 as Mark Sanchez is battling
legal problems, and David Booty’s back continues to give
him trouble even after surgery. A speedy, big play
defense and a nice freshman class will keep this team
potent and at the top of the Pac 10.
UCLA should put up some good offensive numbers through
the air led by QB Ben Olson. The Bruins lose tight end
Mercedes Lewis to the NFL, but senior J.J. Hair, who is
already a solid blocker, should be a strong contributor
to the offense. Ryan Moya had a good spring and could be
a big play receiver this season. UCLA is currently 13th
in the coaches poll and they’ll likely end up about
there at the end of the season. They start off the year
with an easy schedule, which will make their September
30th showdown with Stanford a tough game.
Oregon could have an early season QB merry-go-round
before either Brady Leaf or Dennis Dixon emerges as
clearly better than the other. Dixon in far more mobile,
and perhaps a tandem QB attack could work for the Ducks.
With Receiver Derrick Jones and tight end Dante Rosario,
the Ducks could be lighting teams up through the air.
Jones is a transfer from USC with a ton of potential and
is one of the fastest players in the Pac 10. I
anticipate him making some noise in the Pac 10 this
season within Oregon’s spread offense. His eligibility
is in question surrounding transfer complications,
however. Linebacker Kwame Agyeman will anchor the Oregon
defense.
Last season Oregon State couldn’t defend the pass to
save their lives. In fact, they gave up 300 yards per
game. This year they should be improved in this area and
as a result they’ll be more competitive in the Pac 10.
Experience will be a major asset for this team on the
offensive side of the ball as they return 5 starting
offensive linemen, tailback Yvenson Benard, and tight
end Joe Newton. And the only place for QB Matt Moore to
go is up. Last season, he threw 19 INT’s and just 11
TD’s. Another year and a better grasp of the offense
will make a big difference for him and the Beavers in
2006.
Stanford’s defense has a long way to go if they want to
be competitive this season. Defensive Coordinator, A.J.
Christoff is still up in the air about whether his guys
are better suited for a 4-3 or 3-4. Frankly, it won’t
matter what defense they play. Michael Marcellari should
provide good defensive line play and Tim Sims will try
to anchor the defensive backfield, but overall their
just isn’t enough talent to have a great defense.
Offensively, the Cardinal is excited about Trent Edwards
who will be one of the best QB’s in the conference.
Washington bottomed out in 2005-06 tying for dead last
in the conference and finishing just 2-9 overall. They
will likely struggle again this season and their
schedule won’t be of any help to them as they face the
Sooners on the road in week 2 and follow that one up
with Frenso State and UCLA. It’s tough to crawl out of
an early season hole as it shoots your confidence and
the Huskies will likely be trying to crawl out of a hole
this season. A pass defense which made Oregon State’s
look good will have to be majorly improved before we
talk about anything on the offensive side of the ball.
The November 18th matchup against in-state rival
Washington will likely be the only game of any
importance for Washington State this season. Mkristo
Bruce will be one of the few bright spots on this team.
He had 10 sacks and 15 tackles for loss last season and
will be a strong NFL prospect. Injuries have gotten the
better of this team the past few seasons, and depth will
be a hindrance again this year. Maybe, I’m being a
little tough on these guys. If they can stay healthy,
they could sneak into a bowl game at 6 and 5 on the
season.
Arizona has a big advantage over pretty much every other
Pac 10 team as they will finish off most drives with
points because of kicker Nick Folk, who nailed a 62 yard
field goal in the spring game. His leg could be the
difference in several close game which Arizona will be
involved in during the Pac 10 season. If these games go
in the Wildcats favor, we could see Arizona jump from
8th clear up to 3rd this season. I also want to mention
that I love Willie Tuitama who played the final 5 games
of the season for the Cats last year and put up
impressive number.
Arizona State will likely be a middle-of-the-road team
in 2006 as they just don’t have the talent to make it
over the hump. The Sun Devils found themselves giving up
good field position to opponents far too often last year
as they were terrible at punting the football averaging
just 29.7 yards per punt. Hopefully JC transfer Jonathan
Johnson will be able to help alleviate some of the field
position issues. That in itself will go a long way in
helping this team improve.
DeSean Jackson will be one of the most exciting players
in the country this season. He is like a Reggie Bush. He
returns kicks and has great hands as a receiver out of
the backfield. Teams will have to build their defensive
schemes around slowing him down which will open up some
plays down the field. Cal is also excited about
linebacker Justin Moye and safety Bernard Hicks making
some noise on defense. Cal will be one of the most
exciting teams to watch in the Pac 10 this season.
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