While these schools aren't quite worthy of being grouped in with Stanford among the conference "dregs" you won't see any of them traveling to Pasadena in January, either.
| Oregon Ducks |
 Last year: 7-6 overall, 4-5 Pac TenWHY THEY'LL WIN: The Oregon Ducks have consistently been "contenders" for the Pac Ten crown but have consistently come up short in recent years. They have brought the spread-option to the Pac Ten and will continue with QB Dennis Dixon at the helm in 2007. Rivals' eyes are still adjusting to those wacky uniforms. The Ducks get conference favorites USC at home the week after the Trojans travel to South Bend for what could be a trap game. WHY THEY WON'T: Oregon has consistently challenged for the Pac Ten crown but have consistently failed to pull it out. The Pac Ten has allegedly improved the quality of their referees this year, which won't give the Ducks that little something extra that propelled them ahead of Oklahoma in 2006. PROGNOSIS: Oregon may not even be the best team in their own State, let alone their own conference. They should be able to hang with the Conference contenders, but on paper there are just too many schools that seem better than them. |
| Arizona Wildcats |
 Last year: 6-6 overall, 4-5 Pac TenWHY THEY'LL WIN: Mike Stoops has gotten the "on the rise" label to stick to the Arizona Wildcats team the last few seasons. Quarterback Willie Tuitama has a year and a few concussions under his belt and will be rolling out a new spread offense for 2007. WHY THEY WON'T: Being "on the rise" is relative to where you're coming from and Arizona started at rock-bottom. No word on how many more concussions Tuitama can survive and still play the game. PROGNOSIS: Bob Stoops has the program on the rise, but this year, all that may mean is a nice invitation to Honolulu to play in the Hawaii Bowl. |
| Arizon State Sun Devils |
 Last year: 7-6 overall, 4-5 Pac Ten WHY THEY'LL WIN: LSU is off the schedule this year! The Sun Devils may have the easiest non-conference schedule in the Pac Ten with San Diego State, Colorado and San Jose State to start the season. New head coach Dennis Erickson has a way of making good things happen when he takes a team on to the college gridiron. he even made Oregon State respectable for a season or two. There's someone in control for once, and this year there is no controversy over who will be the lead signal-caller. WHY THEY WON'T: California, Oregon, UCLA, USC--the Sun Devils must face each of these pac Ten leaders consecutively between October 27 and November 22...then they have to play their rival Arizona. PROGNOSIS: Arizona State is a sexy pick to win in the Pac Ten year in and year out but never lives up to expectations. Having a coach who has won in California might help, as will trips to UCLA and Stanford in 2007. ASU could finish with three losses or five, but should be back in a Bowl this year, even if it means traveling across town for the Insight.com Bowl. |
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
8-15-2007 @ 1:17AM
Nobody Special said...
I think you are under estimating Oregon. Oregon has a tendancy to 'bounce back' after an 'off year'. Oregon's defense is suspect against the run, but passing for points won't be easly. Its offense is more than capable of putting up 30+ points a game. When you put up that many points, you can afford to give 6 yards a run because it takes too long to score.
Plus, and it is a big plus, they have 7 games at Autzen. That place is a zoo. Just ask Oklahoma, and Michigan. Autzen is where great teams go to get beat. Oregon can't hold a candle to these teams on the road, but they've beaten them in Autzen. And don't talk to me about how the officials gave Oregon the victory. I was at that game. Yes, it was poorly officiated, but it was poorly officated the entire game and the calls went both ways. Oregon scored three times in the last 4-5 minutes and blocke a gimme' kick of Oklahoma's on the final play to win the game. Regardless of how bad the call is, you don't blame the officials when you loose a football game.
Teams wanting to beat Oregon will need to either create turnovers, or not fall behind.
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