2010 PAC 10 Football Predictions

Below, I have made my predictions on how I see the Pac-10 Conference playing out this season. If you would like to get my take on all the other leagues across the country, be sure to check out my 2010 college football predictions. Want more bang for you buck with your college football betting this season? Start betting your college football picks at Sportsbook.com where our readers can get $100 in free bonus cash!

1. USC Trojans – In 2009, USC missed out on its first Pac-10 title since 2001, and that was just the first of many headlines the Trojans would grab. Pete Carroll left for the NFL and the school was hit with a two-year bowl ban and scholarship reductions. Lane Kiffin has been brought aboard to replace Carroll, and one has to love the fact that he managed to land the best recruiting class in the country. This class ensures that the Trojans will still have the most talent in the league. With QB Matt Barkley back with a year of experience under his belt, the offense should improve upon the 26.5 points per game in averaged in 2009. And it is a given that defense will be played at USC. The Trojans led the conference in scoring defense last year.

2. Oregon Ducks – With QB Jeremiah Masoli being suspended for the season after getting hit with theft charges, the Ducks will have to lean on either Nate Costa or Darron Thomas to lead the offense. Costa is the better passer and Thomas is the better runner. Masoli can do both, and that’s what made the Oregon offense so explosive last year. Oregon will still be in the mix for a league title, which could come down to a Halloween eve date at USC. But I have to give USC the edge in that game as it will be out for blood after last season’s embarrassing loss to the Ducks. Plus, the Trojans will benefit from a bye week prior to the big showdown. College football lines makers have listed Oregon at +1800 to win the BCS title.

3. Oregon State Beavers – The quarterback position is a big concern for the Beavers, but it’s hard to think this team won’t be in the hunt with the way Jazquizz and brother James Rodgers have been torching Pac-10 defenses. Oregon State gets USC and Oregon at home late in the season, but I have the Beavers coming up short in both of those game, just as they did in 2009. Oregon State is listed at +6000 to win the BCS title.

4. Stanford Cardinal – The Cardinal lose talented running back Toby Gerhart, but I have enough faith in the work Jim Harbaugh has done to think they will remain a contender. With Gerhart gone, the team will rely more heavily on QB Andrew Luck and an aerial attack. Luck’s numbers were modest in 2009 because of how effective the ground game was, but experts are calling this kid the best QB at Stanford since John Elway and a top-10 NFL draft pick. Stanford is listed at +10000 to win the BCS title.

5. Arizona Wildcats – The Wildcats averaged 27.4 points per game in 2009, and we should see an even higher scoring offense in 2010. QB Nick Foles and running back Nate Grigsby appear poised for big seasons behind a strong offensive line. Arizona has enjoyed back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since the late 1990s, but if it is going to make it three in a row the defense will have to hold up on its end of the bargain. Arizona is listed at +10000 to win the BCS title.

6. Washington Huskies – With 9 offensive starters returning, including dual-threat QB Jake Locker, the Huskies have the potential to be very explosive offensively. Washington was greatly improved in 2009 as evidenced by its win over USC, but it still only went 5-7 and missed out on the bowls. If the Huskies are going to make the postseason, the defense must improve on what it did in 2009 when it finished 9th in the Pac-10 in scoring defense and 8th in total defense. Washington is listed at +10000 to win the BCS title.

7. California Golden Bears – Jahvid Best was a special player and the Bears will miss his game-breaking ability. Shane Vareen does make Cal miss him a little less though. Cal’s offense should remain tough to stop, but its defense has major concerns at all three levels. This side of the football will greatly miss first round NFL draft pick Tyson Alualu at the defensive end spot as well as All-Pac-10 performer Syd’Quan Thompson at corner. Cal is listed at +10000 to win the BCS title.

8. UCLA Bruins – Rick Neuheisel followed up his 4-8 first-year campaign with a respectable 7-6 season in 2009. Naturally, the expectations have risen, so it will be interesting to see how year No. 3 pans out. The team should be better, but it may not be reflected in the win column when you consider how challenging UCLA’s non-conference slate is with games against Kansas State, Houston and Texas. UCLA is listed at +10000 to win the BCS title.

9. Arizona State Sun Devils – The Sun Devils lost their last six games last season, and with just 4 offensive starters returning, it’s hard to think the team will show much improvement. The defense ranked No. 1 in the Pac-10 in total defense in 2009, allowing only 297.6 yards per game, but the offense ranked No. 9, amassing only 334.4 yards per game. The defense should remain stout, but it will once again spend way too much time on the field because of ASU’s anemic offense. Arizona State is listed as part of the field at +5000 to win the BCS title.

10. Washington State Cougars – The Cougars are just 3-22 in Paul Wulff’s first two seasons as head mean, and unfortunately, the wins don’t figure to start piling up in year three. The Cougars were shut out in Pac-10 play last season, which shouldn’t come as a surprise when you consider that they had the worst offense and the worst defense in the league. The Cougars lost their games by an average score of 38.5 to 12 in 2009, and they figure to be taking it on the chin once again this season. Washington State is listed as part of the field at +5000 to win the BCS title.

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