Seems like it should be...but considering we are a third of the way through July, the season is just around the corner, and ESPN just released their preseason Pac-10 rankings: let's talk. (Who really cares about the new iPhone coming out and having problems already anyway? Did anybody NOT see that coming? I mean, seriously...there will be a new one in 3 months, people. Sleep in next time.)
Guess who ESPN picked as their preseason #1 in the Pac-10? I'll give you a hint: USC.
I bet you didn't see that coming, casual college football fan. It doesn't take an expert to pick USC as #1 in the Pac-10. In fact, I don't think it even takes a real person. I overheard a few of the trees in my backyard talking today, and they were all picking USC too. (One of them was wearing a Matt Leinart jersey.) Even 6 out of the 8 voices in my head agreed that USC is not only the #1 team in the Pac-10, but in the country as well. And if those other 2 voices hadn't been asleep/at a club in Ibiza, I'm sure it would have been unanimous... Uhh...but before I scare you away, here is the complete list of rankings and analysis from ESPN.com's Ted Miller:
1. USC: Again as talented as anyone and a national title contender. While a seventh consecutive conference title feels like almost a sure thing, BCS title hopes hang on quarterback Mark Sanchez and a talented but inconsistent and/or inexperienced offense finding its mojo.
2. Oregon: Ducks aren't rebuilding, particularly if sophomore quarterback Nate Costa lives up to his hype and the defense finds some hole-plugging presences in the front seven. There's a lot of speed and skill in Eugene, and the Ducks secondary rivals USC for the best unit in the nation.
3. Arizona State: Schedule is a lot tougher than '07, see a visit from Georgia on Sept. 20. But if the offensive line comes through -- albeit a big if -- there really aren't many holes on this team. And a veteran quarterback, such as Rudy Carpenter, goes a long way in the Pac-10.
4. California: Will there be a hangover from 2007's second-half meltdown? Or will the Bears bounce back and challenge for the Pac-10 crown like they appeared to be doing until Oct. 13 last fall? The issue might not be emotional, though. It might be inexperience and uncertainty at quarterback.
5. Arizona: Some of us (who, me?) have been predicting an Arizona turnaround for a few years now. But now we mean it. Promise. The schedule and offensive firepower, led by veteran QB Willie Tuitama, will get 'Cats to a bowl.
6. Oregon State: It's tempting to rank the Beavers higher because they almost always exceed expectation, a fact their fans quite reasonably relish. But OSU is rebuilding its defensive front seven and seems unsettled at quarterback. That said: There's plenty of skill on offense and the secondary is outstanding, so the Beavers could again take a bite out of prognosticators.
7. Washington: The Huskies might well be much improved this season as quarterback Jake Locker, Tim Tebow West Coast, becomes a bona fide star, but the schedule and huge questions on defense make it hard to imagine a winning record. And a without a winning record, coach Tyrone Willingham might lose his job.
8. UCLA: The schedule is brutal (Tennessee, BYU and Fresno State are the nonconference games). The offensive line may be brutalized. New coach Rick Neuheisel didn't inherit much talent, and that figures to show on the field, no matter how good the coaching staff is.
9. Stanford: Those of us who suspect Jim Harbaugh might turn out to be an outstanding coach will be tempted to rate Stanford higher. And 16 starters back from team that mostly played inspired football last season even gives some heft to that hunch. But, I just couldn't pull the trigger on a higher slot.
10. Washington State: New coach Paul Wulff has made a strong first impression in Pullman, but he inherited a thin roster and will be breaking in a new quarterback. If the Cougs get lucky with injuries, they might escape the conference cellar, but young teams don't often do that.
So what do you think about my boy Teddy's picks and analysis? (We go way back.) I think they're pretty awesome; and the other two voices in my head just woke up/got back from Ibiza, and agree too. (Okay...now I'm even scaring myself.)
I especially like the pick of Arizona State at #3. Although, I'm biased because I went there, but I believe they have a shot this season at winning the conference. You all saw what Dennis Erickson did last season. Nobody expected that. Sure, they have a tougher schedule...but if they pull off some bigger wins before conference play, who knows... It all hinges on the performance of returning starting quarterback, Rudy Carpenter. He's extremely talented, but can be a bit of a head case at times. (In fact, he is good friends with voice #4 in my head... Sorry.) If he can keep his emotions in check, he could take them to even higher heights this season. Even though they are ranked #3, I think the Sun Devils are the real x-factor in the league this season. It will be interesting to see where they end up and how they respond to their unexpected successful season last year.
I don't really like Teddy's pick of California at #4...but I guess I don't work for ESPN, or follow Berkeley too closely. Ever since the school was infested by hippies, like, 30 years before I was born, I just can't get into it.
I think UCLA is screwed.
I like Stanford to finish above their #9 ranking, at #8.
And I think Oregon is overrated...because they are Oregon. But they are always good, so it's probably a safe pick at #2.
Look, everybody knows that USC is going to run away with this thing. If you watched the Rose Bowl on New Year's Day (like I did, live...single tear), you know how loaded this team is. Their 3rd stringers could probably...well...you get it. They are good. They are stacked. Pete Carroll owns college football, and LA. ESPN will ride their jocks all season, and Snoop Dogg will visit their practices. They are USC. They are the Trojans. And I, personally, can't wait until they are busted for NCAA recruiting violations, so these ESPN Pac-10 preseason rankings actually mean something again. But you didn't hear that from me. That was my 6th voice named Larry. He's pretty crazy.
Brian Laesch is apparently a schizophrenic sportswriter now, (insert stolen joke from What About Bob? here.)
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