So it's been quite a while since I've updated the blog, so I thought I would step up and eat some crow on my last predictions for the Pac-10 as we head down the home stretch. Lets start from the top:
1. Oregon: I maintain, until they lose, I dare you to argue.
2. Stanford: They are currently ranked #6 in the nation and look like (as I predicted) they will end up in a BCS game (possibly the Rose Bowl).
3. USC: The offense has kept up its end of the bargain with Marc Tyler stepping up last week against Arizona to complement the passing game. Meanwhile, the defense is starting to catch up to the talent they have on paper. By the end of this season, USC will have some nice pieces to build on going forward
4. Arizona: I was right yet again (someone owes me a cookie or a high five or something) on how Arizona would struggle with Foles out. What I did not foresee was a 42-17 beatdown from Stanford, a game that I thought would be somewhat close. Nevertheless, I still agree with this ranking, as the rest of the Pac-10 is just so muddled and confusing I couldn't justify putting anyone else ahead of them.
5. Oregon State: I no longer swear they're a good team. After defending them ALL SEASON LONG, they come out and get beat AT HOME by Wazzu. Now, that's nothing against a very respectable Wazzu team that has given several other Pac-10 teams problems this year, but Oregon State was supposed to be a team that would compete for the Pac-10. Instead, they lost to undeniably the worst team in the Pac-10.
6. Arizona State: 4-6 is not a very good record, but when you put Arizona State under the microscope, you can see that there was only one bad game they've had all season (a 50-17 beating from Cal). They lost four of their six games by four points or less, while giving Oregon one of their toughest games of the year. That being said, I still do not see ASU finishing strong against a very motivated UCLA team and a tough rivalry game against Arizona.
7. California: Win, win, loss, loss, win, loss, win, loss, win, loss... win? Cal has easily been the most consistent inconsistent team in the Pac-10 and possibly the nation in 2010. They have had some excellent showings this year against ASU and UCLA while looking absolutely pathetic in others like the USC and Oregon State games. One common theme throughout this season though has been Cal's seemingly dominant play at home. They only lost one game this year and that came at the hands of the juggernaut offense of Oregon that was only able to muster up 15 points against the Golden Bears, which is 35 points lower than their season average. Cal will finish out their season at home (fortunately) with the biggest game coming this weekend against Stanford. Thus far, Harbaugh has had issues winning against Cal and with the atmosphere of a rivalry game coupled with Cal's excellent play at home, I expect this to be one of the best games this season.
8. UCLA: The Bruins are desperately clawing to find a way into the postseason after a thrilling victory over Oregon State. Tomorrow is a redemption game at Washington on Thursday night where UCLA will try to show the nation that they are not nearly as bad as Oregon made them look four Thursdays ago. UCLA is starting to get healthy again with Sheldon Price and Nelson Rosario coming back from injuries that held them out for several weeks while superstar LB Akeem Ayers is close to being recovered from nagging injuries sustained all the way back from the Texas game. UCLA will have to win 2/3 to reach bowl eligibility and there is no doubt in my mind that the regular season finale against USC will be the deciding game in whether they reach a bowl game or not.
9. Washington: UW is the third stooge in the que of inconsistent teams behind Cal and UCLA. They have had huge wins at USC and against Oregon State, but they have been blown out the past three games and their defense has more holes in it than a sponge. Still, the Huskies can rectify their season if they win out, but the chances of doing that are slim, considering they have two games: Cal in Berkeley and Wazzu in Pullman, neither of which will be easy wins in any way, shape or form.
10: Washington State: For the first time in over two years, Wazzu has a W in the win column against a Pac-10 foe. Now, I wouldn't go as far as saying they aren't the worst team in the Pac-10, but the days of penciling in a W against the Cougars are gone.
With this recap being said, here are my predictions for how the rest of the season will play out and what the final records of each team will be:
1. Oregon: 12-0 Oregon State gives them a run, but the Ducks are too good to lose.
2. Stanford: 11-1 I think Harbaugh's finally gets Cal off his back.
3. USC: 8-5 I see USC finishing strong, but @ OSU, Notre Dame and @ UCLA will be rough to win out.
4. Arizona: 8-4 There's no way Arizona beats Oregon and I just don't think Arizona State has it in them to pull out a tough win this season.
5. UW: 6-6 This team was SO overrated at the beginning of the year. I think they should win 2 out of their next 3 games though, so we'll see if they can make it to a bowl game
6. ASU: 5-7 This team could have EASILY been 10-2 this year. Unfortunately, fate wasn't on their side.
7. UCLA: 5-7 My guess is they win in Washington, lose to a prepared ASU team and lose to 'SC in another let-down game to miss eligibility.
8. Cal: 5-7 There is no predicting Cal, but now that they have no QB, I can't see them making a bowl game.
9. OSU: 4-8 This is a horribly disappointing season if this prediction serves correct. I really thought they could go 10-2 this year, but something went terribly wrong. Look for heads to roll after this season.
10. Wazzu: 2-10 I believe that this team could easily take UW, but I just couldn't imagine Jake Locker ending his college career with a loss.
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