An early look at the Pac 10-Part 3

An early look at the Pac 10-Part 3

Jeffrey Gearhart gives his insight on who will be the cream of the crop in the Pac-10 in Part Three of his analysis of the Conference.

UCLA- Rick Neuheisel has a career record of 27-9 against Pac-10 foes with a losing record to only one of those teams, UCLA. He is now at the helm of the Bruins and looks to continue his success in the conference. Quarterback Ben Olson was the starter last year before he was sidelined with a partial LCL tear. Olson is the favorite but will have competition from Patrick Cowan who also had significant starting experience from last season and will vie for the number one spot. Osaar Rasshan will look to make his mark as the starter also. Three other candidates; Chris Forcier, Kevin Craft, and Nick Crissman, will have the opportunity to topple the depth chart. The Bruins backfield will consist of Kahlil Bell who tore his ACL in the eighth game last season but should be ready to accept the starting role come the fall. Chane Moline and Christian Ramirez along with Craig Sheppard, Ryen Carew, Raymond Carter, and Justin Fareed are also in the mix of things. At the fullback position, Trevor Theriot, Dylan Rush, and Tobi Umodu will battle for the starting spot. Wide receiver Dominique Johnson returns as the favorite for the number one spot while Terrence Austin will look to solidify a spot on the depth chart. The Bruin's have two receivers, Marcus Everett and Gavin Ketchum, that qualified for a medical substitute year of eligibility. The tight end position should be set with the return of Logan Paulsen. Ryan Moya along with Nate Chandler should also compete. Up front the Bruin's return three players who started at least six games last year. Tackles Aleksey Lanis and Micah Kia will set the tone on the line. Micah Reed should be the front-runner for the center spot, while Nick Ekbatani and Darius Savage could plug into the guard positions.

Up front defensively for the Bruins, Brigham Harwell was granted a medical substitute year of eligibility and looks to be at full force from the tackle spot. Brian Price, Tom Blake, Korey Bosworth will join the competition. The depth at the tackle spot should prove to be abundant with Jess Ward, Jerzy Siewierski, Chase Moline, Jeff Miller, and Nathaniel Skaggs all competing for playing time. The end position has depth to fall back on as well with Chinonso Anyanwu, David Carter and Reginald Stokes, and Justin Edison. The linebackers return two starters with Reggie Carter and Kyle Bosworth. Joshua Edwards, John Hale, Steve Sloan, and Akeem Ayers will try to make an impression for playing time also. Cornerback Alterraun Verner will be looked upon as the leader in the secondary along with Michael Norris. At the strong safety position, Bret Lockett will be the favorite while Aaron Ware is the frontrunner as the free safety. The reserves have little experience, but Courtney Viney and Chris Meadows will try to provide as much as they can. On special teams, Aaron Perez will provide punting duties with Kai Forbath looking to improve on his numbers as the placekicker.

USC- Coach Pete Carroll has high expectations for the 2008 season, despite losing key players. Quarterback John David Booty is gone, and that void will have some competition with Mark Sanchez, Mitch Mustain, and Aaron Corp vying for the starting nod. There is plenty of depth at the tailback position with Stafon Johnson, Joe McKnight, C.J. Gable, and Allen Bradford bringing versatility to the team. Stanley Havili and Adam Goodman will compete at fullback. David Ausberry and Ronald Johnson will challenge starting receivers Patrick Turner and Vidal Hazelton. Throw in Garrett Green, Travon Patterson, Damian Williams, and Brandon Carswell for some sure fire competition. Tight end Anthony McCoy will look to fill the shoes of now departed Fred Davis. Jimmy Miller and Rhett Ellison will look to compete also. A complete reconstruction of the offensive line brings the biggest question mark. Guard Jeff Byers is the sole returner, but will get help from Butch Lewis, Zack Heberer, and Kristofer O'Dowd. Joining the fray will be Charles Brown, Thomas Herring, Nick Howell, and Alex Parsons.

Bringing back seven starters, the defense will be the strength of the team. Up front, Fili Moala and Kyle Moore anchor the line and will be joined by Averell Spicer, Christian Tupou, and Derek Simmons. Adding to the mix will be DaJohn Harris, Everson Griffen, Gerald Washington, Trey Henderson, and Andrew Weiss. The linebackers are loaded headlined by Rey Maualuga and Brian Cushing. Kaluka Maiava will fill the void left by departed All-American Keith Rivers, while Clay Matthews, Luthur Brown, Michael Morgan, and Malcolm Smith are viable candidates for playing time. The secondary will be solid with Taylor Mays and Kevin Ellison providing leadership. Cary Harris will return at corner, while Josh Pinkard looks to lock up the other corner. There will be plenty of talent contributed from Kevin Thomas, Shareece Wright, Matthew Jordan, Omari Crittenden, and Daniel Harper. With the exception of long snapper and holder, the special teams stay in tact. Greg Woidneck returns as punter along with placekicker David Buehler. Top return men will be Ronald Johnson for kickoffs and Joe McKnight for punts. C.J. Gable however could challenge McKnight.

WASHINGTON- The Huskies have a solid core of players returning on offense. At quarterback, Jake Locker is now the seasoned veteran and will be the leader on offense. Ronnie Fouch and Taylor Bean will contend for the backup role. Tailback leaves the biggest hole on offense with the departure of Louis Rankin. Willing to step up and fill that hole is Brandon Johnson, the logical choice. J.R. Hasty, Willie Griffin, and Brandon Yakaboski will fight for playing time behind Johnson. Most likely to split the fullback duties, will be Paul Homer and Luke Kravitz. The receivers will have a major overhaul as well with D'Andre Goodwin and Curtis Shaw having little experience. Alvin Logan, Charles Hawkins Jr., and Tony Chidiac will look to add some depth and gain experience. The tight end duties could be split between Michael Gottlieb and Johnie Kirton. Three others, Walt Winter, Chris Izbicki, and Romeo Savant will contend for action as well. Juan Garcia will anchor the line, joined by Casey Bulyca, Ryan Tolar, Jordan White-Frisbee, and Cody Habben whom all have starting experience. In addition, adding depth up front will be Morgan Rosborough, Matt Sedillo, and Gregory Christine.

The defensive line will have one returning starter, Daniel Te'o-Nesheim. A lack of experience opens up the competition for Cameron Elisara, Darrion Jones, De'Shon Matthews, and Javon O'Connor. The teams leading tackler, E.J. Savannah will bolster the linebacker corps with Donald Butler, Trenton Tuiasosopo, Mason Foster, and Chris Stevens. Adding to the depth will be a crop of young, but game-experienced players in Joshua Gage, Matt Houston, T.J. Poe, Austin Sylvester, and Fred Wiggs. In the secondary, there will be plenty of experience lead by Jason Wells. Mesphin Forrester, Darin Harris, Byron Davenport, Matt Mosley, and Vonzell McDowell will add to the depth chart. Additionally, Nate Williams and Victor Aiyewa will look for more action this year. On special teams, Jared Ballman will return for the punting duties while Erik Folk will challenge Ryan Perkins for the placekicker role. Veteran Danny Morovick will be the frontrunner as long snapper with Robert Lukevich and Ben Hayes providing depth.

WASHINGTON STATE- The Cougars coaching staff is brand new, and they will look to develop chemistry with the players quickly. At quarterback, Gary Rogers is the frontrunner for the number one slot but will have competition from Cole Morgan, Kevin Lopina, and Marshall Lobbestael. Dwight Tardy returns as the number one slot at tailback but will be challenged by Chris Ivory and Marcus Richmond. Wide receiver Brandon Gibson returns and will be joined by Michael Willis, Daniel Blackledge, Benny Ward, and Jeshua Anderson. Devin Frischknecht will fill in the tight end gap with Ben Woodard and Tony Thompson providing competition. The offensive line remains in tact minus one player with Dan Rowlands, Kenny Alfred, Vaughn Lesuma, and Micah Hannam returning. Andrew Roxas looks to fill the single void while Reed Lesuma and Joe Eppele will add depth.

For the defense, the linebackers will be the strength with Kendrick Dunn, Cory Evans, and Gary Trent returning. Adding to the depth will be Hallston Higgins, Jason Stripling, Sam Tennant, and Andrew Kreutz. Moving to the line from linebacker will be powerhouse Andy Mattingly. He will be joined by A'I Ahmu, Kevin Kooyman, and Matt Eichelberger to provide a solid front. Adding to the depth will be Jesse Feagin, Andy Roof, Mike Graise, Toby Turpin, and Luke Hansell providing ample competition. The nucleus of the secondary remains solid with the return of Alfonso Jackson and Chima Nwachukwu. Markus Dawes and Xavier Hicks are the frontrunners to fill the other holes. The depth will be young, but provide ample competition from Romeo Pellum, Myron Black, Easton Johnson, and Tyrone Justin. The special teams will see the return of Wade Penner at placekicker and Reid Forrest at punter, while Tony Thompson will handle the long snap duty. Returning specialists Daniel Blackledge and Tyrone Justin will battle for punt returns, with Chris Ivory and Brandon Gibson leading the charge on kickoffs.

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