Pac 10 Power Poll & Week Three Review

Obviously the big story was Washington beating USC the question begs though is whether we should be surprised or not. Looking at the numbers we should probably not be surprised. USC is the epitome of a LA team as they tend to only get up for “name” competition. Outside of the Trojans loss to Texas Pete Carroll hasn’t lose a game to a non Pac 10 school since early 2002. Washington, like Oregon State and Stanford before it defeated a heavily favored USC team that didn’t put 100% focus in to playing the days opponent. The Huskies had a gutty effort from a defense that has been maligned for years as well as great QB play from Jake Locker. The Trojans probably should have opened up the playbook more for Aaron Corp. Even in the Ohio State game USC played very close to the vest, luckily in the Ohio State game USC was playing a coach more conservative than Glenn Beck in Jim Tressell. Of other note the question begs is how good of a “game coach” Pete Carroll is. The Trojans don’t have a very good record in games decided by 6 points or less under Carroll so it makes me think that his success has been probably more based on great recruiting and being able to get good athletes to play well in a team concept rather than brilliant strategizing. Carroll has prevented the type of slides seen in the Hackett era where if USC were to be out of the National Championship race they’d quickly fold the tent. If they were to lose to say Cal and either Oregon or Notre Dame and get knocked out of the Rose Bowl and the BCS Title game will the team keep playing at such a high level? We shall find out. Oregon found a semblance of a running game but again beat a team more so with special teams and defense than because of the offense. Jeremiah Masoli needs to start connecting with his receivers and finding Ed Dickson. Frankly pretty amazing to only complete 4 passes and win a game but the Ducks find themselves now 2-1 with a huge game versus Cal coming up. The Bears got 5 TDs from Jahvid Best but have to be a little worried about surrendering 21 straight points to Minnesota. Oregon has better team speed than the Gophs and will have just as much or more of a home advantage than Minnesota. Oregon/Cal games tend to be very close since Tedford arrived with Cal typically prevailing however 2007 was the first time since 1988 that Cal had won in Eugene. I think they make it 2 two in a row but we shall see. UCLA was able to beat a BCS team with Kevin Craft at the helm, that in itself was quite an accomplishment. Prince will likely now be back for the Oregon game, UCLA has a bye week this week before playing Stanford. ASU and Stanford both won games against bottom dwelling FBS teams. OSU lost to a tough and fast Cincinnati team that has the easiest route to the BCS Championship of any team in the county. Finally WSU earned the right to return to the poll with a win versus SMU. Savor the victory Cougs it is the last one you will see till next September, maybe . . .
1. Cal (2) – Did what they need to do go out and win on the road in a game played not on the West Coast. Jahvid Best is a Heisman contender right now and the Bears with a win over Oregon have the inside track to the Rose Bowl with USC already having a loss.
2. UW (5) – Maybe short lived as the Dawgs have yet to play a road game and face Stanford on Saturday. Sarkisian has turned around the ship but let’s see if they can get past the USC hangover to beat the Trees.
3. USC (1) – Have they ever been this low in my poll? Not sure I’d check but I don’t have the time. Pity the Cougs who have to travel to the Coliseum to face a very angry team of Trojans.
4. UO (6) – The Ducks could easily be 0-3 right now and if they don’t find a semblance of a passing game to find some balance they will tumble down towards the bottom of the Pac 10. Beat Cal and the BSU game will be all in the past and the Ducks will have their Rose Bowl fate in their own hands.
5. UCLA (9) – Undefeated but I am still pretty suspect of this team. Can’t lose on a bye week won’t know if they are real until they play Stanford.
6. OSU (4) – Hasn’t played a good game this year and are a home dog to Arizona. I don’t agree with that as I think the Beavs are the better team but outside of the Rodgers brothers they are really devoid of playmakers.
7. ASU (7) – Pretty hard to judge them based on the schedule they have played. Travel to a Georgia team that is a bit less talented than they have been in the past but still ASU is a twelve point dog. I like Georgia big in this one.
8. LSJU (10) – Beat SJSU , always nice not to lay an egg on that game like has happened so many times in the past. Stanford has a shot to jump to 2-0 in Pac 10 play if they can beat Washington.
9. UA (8) – Had a pretty crappy performance in Iowa City that has lead to Matt Scott’s benching. Now have to travel to Corvallis before the bye week hits. If the Cougs can’t get the passing game going they could be in trouble.
10. WSU (NR) – Congrats Cougs you are back on the list after getting a win. Your prize is a trip to LA to play USC.