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Picking the Pac
Posted by Bob Condotta
The most newsworthy thing that comes out of Pac-10 media day, which is Thursday, is usually the unveiling of the annual media poll.
While there are lots of other pre-season picks out there, the Pac-10 poll tends to serve as the "official'' one that everyone recalls later.
Here's the ballot I sent in:
1, USC
2, Cal
3, Oregon
4, Oregon State
5, Arizona State
6, Arizona
7, Stanford
8, UCLA
9, Washington
10, Washington State
I know I'll probably get some criticism for this looking a little too much like the conventional wisdom, especially at the top and bottom.
Spots 4-8, however, have shown some variance, and I found those as hard to pick as everybody else.
UCLA at No. 8 could really come back to bite me. But I like ASU's defense and schedule; I think Arizona still has a lot of pieces in place despite losing some headline acts from last year; and I really debated picking Stanford a lot higher as I think the Cardinal may be about to turn a corner.
As for the top, I'd love to find a legitimate reason to pick against USC, not because I have anything against the Trojans but just to spice things up a bit. But I just can't do it. While USC has inexperience at QB and more defensive starters to replace than usual, I think a standout O-line will make up for the former, and that the Trojans will again simply reload on D. DE Everson Griffin isn't a returning starter, but could be the best at his position in the conference by the end of the season, for instance.
I like Cal over Oregon due in part to a veteran O-line that could give the Bears the best running attack in the Pac-10.
As for the Huskies, I know some of you will ask why I couldn't think outside the box a little and find a way to move them up. But there's just too many question marks right now to objectively pick them any higher --- not to mention that this team simply needs to learn how to win again. It's college football, so little surprises anymore, and I wouldn't be floored if the Huskies finished higher. But right now, the teams above them just have more proven talent.
If you're still reading, I'd like to do again what we did here last year --- let all of you put in your selections in the comments section of this entry. I'll tally them up in a few days and compare how you guys picked it against those of us in the media.
Copyright © 2009 The Seattle Times Company
Feb 9, 10 - 8:02 PM
Tuesday night notes --- not great news on the Husky Stadium front; plus, I'm off to the Olympics
Feb 9, 10 - 12:13 PM
Pac-10 expansion to get consideration over next year
Feb 9, 10 - 10:15 AM
Bill that could help fund Husky Stadium in Executive Session today
Feb 8, 10 - 4:50 PM
Rivals names Martin one of Pac-10's best recruiters
Feb 8, 10 - 2:03 PM
Monday afternoon notes, links


- Alaska Air dropping Jones Soda beverages, going back to Coca-Cola
- Man found shot dead in pickup truck in Seattle
- Seattle is first U.S. stop for Picasso exhibit
- Husky Football Blog | Pac-10 expansion to get consideration over next year
- Idol Confessions | "American Idol" hopeful from Seattle didn't make it to Hollywood afterall
- State Senate votes to clear way for tax increases
- Belltown boulevard could be completed by early next year
- Nicole Brodeur | Chrisceda Clemmons' house wasn't the only casualty
- Brier Dudley's Blog | Google rolls its own Facebook & Twitter with Gmail "Buzz"
- Sex, drug rumors swirl about N.Y. Gov. Paterson
- Republicans may be no-shows at health-plan summit
278 - Pac-10 expansion to get consideration over next year
249 - State Senate votes to clear way for tax increases
248 - Lee undergoes foot surgery
231 - Obama: GOP and Dems together can spur job growth
210 - Fort Lewis soldier charged with abusing 4-year-old, holding her head in water
193 - Rivals names Martin one of Pac-10's best recruiters
143 - Belltown boulevard could be completed by early next year
127 - Bus-tunnel attack while guards watched prompts review of Metro security
98 - White House mocks Sarah Palin from podium
91
- Seattle is first U.S. stop for Picasso exhibit
- 747-8 soars smoothly on first outing
- City, Vulcan push higher South Lake Union height limits
- Commentary: Microsoft's creative destruction
- Snap out of your photo funk: How to make sense of all those piles of images
- Wine Adviser | Oregon's quality pinots join the bargain ranks
- Belltown boulevard could be completed by early next year
- Jerry Large | Learning not to copy China
- All You Can Eat | Portage chef Vuong Loc takes Cremant space in Madrona
- Rigorous college-prep classes skyrocketing in Washington state


