BetUS NCAA Futures Betting

To Win Pacific 10 Conference

Arizona +2000
Arizona State +400
California +800
Oregon +600
Oregon State +5000
Stanford +3000
Southern Cal -300
UCLA +800
Washington +2000
Washington State +5000

Let's examine all these sports betting teams in capsule form:

SOUTHERN CAL (-300 in BetUS odds) -- The first two games of the season - against Virginia and Ohio State - won't count toward the conference standings, but they will give the Trojans a chance to indoctrinate Mark Sanchez, who takes over for John David Booty at quarterback. Sanchez started three games last season and threw for 695 yards and seven TD's. Once again, there is depth at running back, with Stefon Johnson, the leading returning rusher, C.J. Gable, and the potentially sensational Joe McKnight, who currently is trying work out academic problems. On defense there is a bunch of all-conference performers, including Rey Maulaluga and Brian Rushing, who anchor what is probably the best linebacking crew in the country. But the receivers may turn out to be just so-so, and offensive line inexperience may also factor into opening the door for potential rivals.

ARIZONA STATE (+400 in BetUS odds) -- Quarterback Rudy Carpenter, who tossed 25 TD's and just ten interceptions last year, is back as a senior. With a very strong corps of wideouts, and a bright spot at running back Keegan Herring (5.3 ypc last year), this team has the potential to score more points than last year. But the offensive line allowed 55 sacks, and lost center Mike Pollak to the NFL. There is one of the better defensive end tandems in the country in Luis Vasquez and Dexter Davis, but the stop unit lacks overall talent. These team won ten games last season, but broke down against better competition. Does Dennis Erickson stay anywhere very long?

OREGON (+600 in BetUS odds) -- QB Dennis Dixon was a do-everything type, and he will be missed. The Ducks had a hard time replacing him last year when he went down with his knee injury. Justin Roper threw four TD passes in Oregon's 56-21 win over South Florida in the Sun Bowl. Was that a fluke? Nick Reed is one of the best in the country at getting to the passer (12 sacks last year), and there are three returning starters from a secondary that allowed 249 yards through the air last season.

UCLA (+800 in BetUS odds) -- Rick Neuhesiel comes aboard as the new head coach. And he brings Norm Chow in as the offensive coordinator. There are three offensive starters, two of which are on the offensive line. The health of QB Ben Olson, who had foot surgery in the off-season, is a concern. He completed less than 50% of his passes last season. Kahlil Bell, the top running back (795 yards) must bounce back from knee surgery. This defense needs some work, and there are only four starters returning. Neuheisel will get this turned around, but probably not in time to compete for conference laurels this season.

CALIFORNIA (+800 in BetUS) -- It looks like erratic signal-caller Nate Longshore (who now has a pectoral injury) might be pushed by Kevin Riley, who threw for 269 yards and three touchdowns in the 42-36 win over Air Force in the Armed Forces Bowl. But no other starters at skill positions return - the wide receivers, including DeSean Jackson, have all left. This team lost six of its last eight games last year, and often looked horrible in doing it. With seven starters returning on defense, at least that part of the picture has a real chance to improve.

ARIZONA (+2000 in BetUS odds) -- Willie Tuitama (3683 yards, 28 TD's) is a lot more capable QB than many people think. Ten starters come back on offense, which means this spread offense is going to score a lot of points. But there were heavy losses on a defense that ranked 53rd in the country. Arizona should be able to put enough offense together to get to the first bowl game in Mike Stoops' tenure. But any aspirations beyond that are extremely wishful at best.

WASHINGTON (+2000 in BetUS odds) -- Well, the Huskies ought to be entertaining to watch. They may have the best all-around quarterback in the Pac-10 in Jake Locker, who threw for 3048 yards and ran for 986 yards as a freshman (a conference record for QB's). The flip side is that Locker completed just 47% of his throws and tossed 15 picks, but those things might improve with experience. There is bad news in that center Juan Garcia suffered foot injury that has ended his season. The additional bad news is that this defense, which ranked 103rd overall, lost seven starters, so there is inexperience to deal with as well. Ty Willingham is running out of rope, having compiled just an 11-5 record at U-Dub. We may look for some "overs" early from this team.

STANFORD (+3000 in BetUS )-- The Cardinal brings back nine starters on the defensive side of the ball, along with the entire starting backfield. Jim Harbaugh's first season at the helm showed improvement, and was highlighted by a 24-23 upset of USC. The Trojans will look for payback on November 15.

OREGON STATE (+5000 in BetUS odds) -- Lyle Moevao was 4-0 as the starting QB for the Beavers, and he'll get help from freshman RB Ryan McCants (who ran for over 8000 yards in high school), as well as returning receiver Sammy Stroughter, who got a sixth year of eligibility from the NCAA due to medical hardship. This team has a stout offensive line, and a stop unit that ranked #8 in the country last season. Granted, eight starters are gone from that defense, but some veteran depth returns. Mike Riley's club won seven of its last eight games last year, including a victory in the Emerald Bowl. there's some upside here.

WASHINGTON STATE (+5000 in BetUS odds) -- New coach Paul Wulff has 13 starters coming back, and is installing a new spread offense. There are questions about fifth-year senior Gary Rogers' ability to run it. Rogers had just four completions last year.

This year, it looks like there are even less legitimate contenders to USC's supremacy. But hey - we haven't even started playing yet!

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