Week 15 Power Poll

Evie collage
Originally uploaded by pete4ducks.

I did predict Oregon to win the Civil War but certainly not in the manner that it occurred in. Looking back you have to marvel at the coaching job that Mike Bellotti and Chip Kelly (coach in waiting!) did this year considering all the injury issues and lack of experience at QB. The Beavs should hang their heads high even after the crushing home loss, other than folks on the team and the most myopic of Beaver fans who could have imagined that they would break off 7 consecutive Pac 10 victories in 2008? With the Beaver loss all USC now has to do is defeat UCLA to go back to the Rose Bowl yet again. If that game doesn't go as planned then all the bowl pairings are going to change big time across the Pac 10 and even the country.

1. USC (1) - Best defense of the Carroll era but will go down as having the worst offense except for his initial team in 2001. I see no possibility for USC to get to the BCS championship game nor to get a share of the title with the writers vote. The Trojans picked the wrong year to have a hiccup.
2. UO (2) - Can't say enough about the offense and Masoli's amazing progression in to a competent aerial threat. Not sure I could have imagine this result after the Cal and UCLA games.
3. OSU (3) - Big UCLA fans this week. If that upset happened though you'd have to say that OSU would be among the worst teams ever to make a BCS bowl game.
4. Cal (4) - Players want to go to Vegas but Emerald Bowl wants the Bears big time. Look for the Bears to go off and try to pump up Best's running stats.
5. UA (5) - Yes Stoops has finally assured them of a bowl game but a loss to Arizona State would mean 4 straight L's to ASU and a 6-6 record. That might finally be the end for Ariozna who losses Willie T to graduation.
6. ASU (7) - Hell of a defensive performance versus UCLA that is all I can say positive about this team but a win in the Territorial Cup would make them bowl eligible which is fairly remarkable considering they had a 6 game losing streak.
7. LSJU (6) - Season is over not much to say other than they need to lock up Harbaugh and pay his assistants more if they want to compete in the Pac 10 going forward. There is no lack of money in The Farms endowment even with the economy.
8. UCLA (8) - If they let the ASU defense score 28 points imagine what the USC defense can do.
9. WSU (9) - At least they got to end their season a week earlier than Washington and in Hawaii to boot.
10. UW (10) - The big question is do they get Mike Leach and if not who will they turn to next?

Week 14 Power Poll

Farmer Squirt
Originally uploaded by pete4ducks.

Congrats to the Washington Huskies on their quest for a defeated season, it takes some major skill to accomplish that in this era of parity. Let's hope they can complete the journey in two weeks in Berkeley in must see TV game. The Civil War of All Civil Wars Since the Biggest Civil Ware Ever in 2000 occurs on Saturday. I have a suspicion that Oregon will finally win a game in Corvallis a feat that hasn't happened since 1996 ending the Rose Bowl chances for Oregon State.

1. USC (1) - Please Trojans stick a fork in Fat Chuck and cause Notre Dame boosters to have to fork out a ton of cash in a recession.
2. UO (3) - I rank them 2nd because I think the Ducks will win the Civil War.
3. OSU (2) - McCants may be a better matchup for the Beavs against the smallish Oregon linebackers than Quizz, but moreso I want to see how the Beavs play as the hunted rather than the hunter.
4. Cal (4) - Got some revenge on Stanford for last years Big Game loss. Lucky they get an extra week to heal up for Washington, they will really need it.
5. UA (5) - Hey Mike Stoops that is why you play to win not play not to lose. Better beat ASU for your sake . . .
6. LSJU (6) - With a more advantageous schedule next year I think they are bowling.
7. ASU (8) - Since they get UCLA at home I like them over UCLA who couldn't beat anyone not named Washington on the road this year.
8. UCLA (7) - Another team that should be back bowling again next season in a comeback season for the Pac 10's national image.
9. WSU (10) - If WSU is the worst team in I-A what does that make Washington.
10. UW (9) - Finding new and creative ways to lose ballgames every week. Your 2008 Washington Huskies everyone!

Week Thirteen Power Poll

Phuket Sunset
Originally uploaded by pete4ducks.

1. USC (1) - Lack of offensive fire power will, baring a miracle, keep USC out of the BCS Championship game
2. OSU (2) - Two games from the unthinkable
3. UO (5) - The tale of two halves no playing a role they haven't played in the Civil War, since?
4. Cal (3) When it comes down to it not a good team on the road at all.
5. UA (4) Haven't lost at home all year but if they don't win out it is another 6 win season but this year a bowl will happen no matter what. Needs much better defense to beat the Beavs than they got in Eugene last week.
6. LSJU (6) Played USC tough, win the Big Game and they are bound for Hawaii or Emerald Bowl
7. UCLA (7) - Nice performance in Seattle, should show a lot of improvement in 2009.
8. ASU (8) - Nothing like WSU to break a slump.
9. UW (9) - This better be the week
10. WSU (10) - Lowest attended Apple Cup since?

Power Poll Week Twelve

Halloween
Originally uploaded by pete4ducks.

1. USC (1) - Still on the outside looking in for the BCS championship but I would love to see them against Florida in the big game if that somehow could occur.
2. OSU (3) - With Moevau back they should have enough to outlast the Bears in Corvallis.
3. Cal (2) - Only road win this season is versus Wazzu.
4. UA (5) Have to be a bit worried about giving up 28 points to WSU but they get the Ducks in a vulnerable state.
5. UO (4) On target for the typical Oregon November fade
6. LSJU (6) - Lightning won't strike twice
7. UCLA (7) - UCLA hasn't won on the road, UW hasn't won something has to give
8. ASU - Nothing like WSU to end a 6 game losing streak
9. UW - Could this be the week?
10. WSU - Are they the worst team in 1-A?

Power Poll Week 11

Cannon Beach Weekend
Originally uploaded by pete4ducks.

No notes just rankings this week:

1. USC (1) - Drops in the BCS despite posting 3 shutout in 4 weeks. Last real shot at a loss is this week but I highly doubt Cal has the horses to win in LA.
2. Cal (4) - Part of the sloppy play can be blamed on whether but if they turn the ball over 4 times versus USC they will get blown out.
3. OSU (3) - A very average team without Moevau at QB. Does their Rose Bowl dream end in Pasadena?
4. UO (2) - Clearly this team can only beat teams with a noticeable talent gap if they stay one-dimensional.
5. UA (5) - This week's game at Pullman means the Cats will be bowl eligible.
6. LSJU (6) - I'd have to scan the history books to see if Stanford has ever beat a conference foe by more than 58. Oregon is likely the best shot at a win need to get to bowl eligibility.
7. UCLA (7) - Seems to have OSU's number a win and they keep their slip bowl chance alive.
8. ASU (8) - Are they team who gives UW its first win? Showed some spunk versus OSU but still on a 6 game losing streak.
9. UW (9) - Bye Bye Ty.
10 WSU (10) - I think they've sewn up the title as worst team in the Pac 10 ever, now have to wonder if they are the worst BCS conference team ever. Rutgers 2001 perhaps?