It seems that any week of the season, just about any Pac Ten team can beat any other, unless the former is named Stanford--and after surprise upsets in 2006 by Arizona over California and UCLA and Oregon State over Southern California the axiom proved true--setting up some good revenge matches for 2007 in addition to a quality out-of conference schedule
5. Oregon State at Southern California, November 3
In 2006, Southern California traveled to a packed house in Corvallis, gave the ball up four times and dug itself into a 23-point deficit, before scoring 21 unanswered poins only to lose on a tipped ball two-point conversion. Homecoming will have extra meaning for the Trojans this year.
Beaver running back Yvenson Bernard will be making a run at two Trojans' places in the record books, as he chases Marcus Allen and Charles White on the all-time rushing yards list.
4. Notre Dame at UCLA, October 6
Only last-second heroics by Brady Quinn and Jeff Samardzija could save the Fighting Irish from the jaws of defeat at the hands of Pat Cowan and the rag-tag bunch of Bruins.
In 2007, Jimmy Clausen will have to fill the big shoes of Quinn as he makes his first trip back to Southern California in the Blue and Gold. Expect no sympathy for his spurning USC's advances from an aggressive Bruin defense.
3. Tennessee at California, September 1
California started the 2006 season in the top ten, but before halftime on Rocky Top opening weekend, the Bears could feel their ranking sinking with their spirits as the Volunteers offered to take their egos down a notch. The 2006 conference co-champions have been looking forward to this Labor Day weekend revenge match ever since leaving San Diego after their Holiday Bowl win.
2. Southern California at California, November 10
Ever since California notched the first loss in Matt Leinart's carrer quarterbacking belt, the rivalry between Cal head coach Jeff Tedford and the Trojans' Pete Carroll has written chapters into Pac Ten lore. Year after year, these two schools have fought for conference supremacy and 2007 should be no different.
1. UCLA at Southern California, December 1
In 2006, the UCLA Bruins did what no other team has done in years by limiting the Trojans to single digits on the scoreboard, ending a seven-year losing streak to their cross-town rival. The icing on the cake for the Bruins was keeping the Men of Troy out of the BCS Title Game. Don't think for a second that the Trojans will be looking past UCLA this year!
Other games you'll want to watch:
Washington State at Wisconisn, September 1
Oregon at Michigan, September 8
Southern California at Nebraska, September 15
Southern California at Notre Dame, October 20
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