You'll notice the first rankings are different than my prediction at how the standings will look when the Pac-10 season ends.

Rankings are a snap shot of the teams at this moment. And let's face it, a lot has changed in the past two weeks.

1. California: The No. 12 Golden Bears start the season at the top of the list because on paper, they're loaded and they've displayed few weaknesses during the offseason and trouncing D-II Chico State 84-42 in their lone exhibition. All-conference guard Jerome Randle struggled against the Wildcats, but lucky for the Bears they have another all-conference guard in Patrick Christopher, who led them with 16 points. Plus forward Theo Robertson appears to have recovered from offseason knee surgery and keep an eye on 6-7 sophomore forward Omondi Amoke who redshirted last season and could help Cal on the boards. F Harper Kamp is still recovering from knee surgery, however, junior Markhuri Sanders-Frison and sophomore Max Zhang played well in the exhibition.

2. Washington: If the Huskies hadn't been hit with the flu, maybe they'd start the season No. 1. But UW lost the first week of practice while players were out sick and they looked a little sluggish in an easy win over Central Washington in their only exhibition.

3. Oregon State: Seth Tarver and Calvin Haynes led the way for the Beavers in a pair of pair of exhibition laughers. OSU beat Southern Oregon 94-53 Nov. 1 and dropped D-II Western Oregon 75-55 on Sunday. Tarver is averaging 16.5 points and Haynes 14.

4. Oregon: The Ducks closed the exhibition season with a 74-59 win over Lewis & Clark on Sunday. The victory followed a 99-61 romp over Concordia. last week. The feel-good wins gave confidence to an UO team that's lost 16 of it's last 18 games. Still the rest of the league needs to be put on notice because newcomers (freshman Jamil Wilson and JC transfer Malcolm Armstead) appear to playing well with veteran guards Tajuan Porter and LeKendric Longmire.

5. Arizona: Division II Augustana College didn't pose any threat to the Wildcats, however, the exhibition provided a nice showcase for forward Jamelle Horne who had 19 points and 10 rebounds. Everyone assumes senior all-conference guard Nic Wise, who is slowed by an ankle injury, will be the UA's star, but it might be Horne who had a double double against Kansas last season.

6. UCLA: You know it's a strange year in the Pac-10 when the Bruins are this low in anyone's rankings. I have them finishing third in the conference, but this team is going to need time to grow and gel. Until then, they're slightly above the bottom feeders. It's not the near defeat to NAIA Concordia that lands UCLA outside the top half of the Pac-10, it's their assortment of injuries. The latest to fall: freshman forward Tyler Honeycutt who will miss 3-4 weeks because of a stress reaction to his right tibia.

7. Washington State: The Cougars play Lewis-Clark State in their lone exhibition tonight.

8. Arizona State: Sun Devils coach Herb Sendek decided against scheduling a preseason choosing to begin the season Friday against Western Illinois. ASU scrimmaged Texas Tech and the freshmen reportedly showed flashes in an intrasquad scrimmage.

9. Stanford: Without projected starters G Jeremy Green and C Josh Owens, the Cardinal handily defeated Division II Sonoma State 82-61. So maybe it won't be a dismal season at Maples Pavilion after all. Still, it's best not to read too much into a game against the Seawolves. Landry Fields shot 7 of 11 for 15 points and eight rebounds. However Da'Veed Dildy and Elliott Bullock, who are replacing Green and Owens respectively, combined for nine points and three rebounds. No word yet on when or if Green (indefinite suspension) and Owens (undisclosed injury) will return.

10. USC: Tough start for the Trojans which needed needed to come from behind to beat Cal State-Dominguez Hills 64-47 in their only exhibition game on Nov. 1. USC only used eight players and played without six players, including four potential starters. USC trailed 35-29 at halftime and needed guard Dwight Lewis to lead the comeback. It's a good thing the Trojans don't begin the season until Nov. 17 because they need time to get healthy and all the practice they can get.