Pac 10
USC seems to be head and shoulders above the rest of the conference. Can anyone slow down the Trojans? Or will SC hop and skip their way to New Orleans?

USC
2006 Record- 11-2
2006 ATS Record- 7-6

Offense: 6 Returning Starters
John David Booty leads an offense that will be explosive. A plethora of running backs to choose from, as well as WR Patrick Turner means this offense will not be short on weapons. If Booty has time to throw, he’s as accurate as them come.

Defense: 10 Returning Starters
Special is the word that best describes this unit. Ten starters return to a defense that is hands-down the best in the nation. There’s speed, size, strength and depth at every position. They will shut down just about every opponent.

Schedule:
For such an outstanding team, their schedule is just brutal. At Nebraska and at Notre Dame in the non-conference. As well as at Oregon, at Cal and at Arizona St means USC has to be mentally prepared to be put to the test each and every week.
2007 Predicted Record: 11-1 (8-1)

UCLA
2006 Record- 7-6
2006 ATS Record- 8-5

Offense: 10 Returning Starters
Regardless which QB starts, Ben Olson or Patrick Cowan, there is talent at each position for the Bruins to be very good offensively. Inconsistency was the Bruins biggest flaw of 2006 and that will need to improve if they eye a BCS bowl.

Defense: 10 Returning Starters
Almost everyone returns from a year ago and they will be extremely stout this season. This is a defense that held powerhouse USC to only 9 points. Watch out for this defense come 2007.

Schedule:
The schedule is manageable if the Bruins stay focused. Early tests verse a dangerous BYU team and at a good Utah team could end the Bruin’s season before conference play begins.
2007 Predicted Record: 10-2 (7-2)

California
2006 Record- 10-3
2006 ATS Record- 6-6

Offense: 8 Returning Starters
Nate Longshore and Co. should be outstanding this season. Add in WR DeSean Jackson, who will light up opposing special teams and RB Justin Forsett, and that’s a combo which should be deadly.

Defense: 5 Returning Starters
With some holes to fill along the line, younger players will be asked to step up this year. The secondary will again be very strong and will rely on the front seven to get pressure on opposing QB’s.

Schedule:
Opening the year with a W verse a Tennessee team that embarrassed the Golden Bears in 2006 is needed to get the momentum ball going. The conference schedule isn’t too bad with their toughest road games being at Oregon and at Arizona St.
2007 Predicted Record: 10-2 (7-2)

Oregon St
2006 Record- 10-4
2006 ATS Record- 7-6

Offense: 8 Returning Starters
Oregon St was the surprise team of the Pac 10 in ’06 and very well could be in the same spot come 2007. QB Sean Canfield takes over for the departed Matt Moore and is better than advertised. The O-line is also strong, which will give Canfield time to throw.

Defense: 8 Returning Starters
The defense was very good last year and should be excellent this year with solid LB’s and more experience at corner than a year ago. Look for the Beavers to continually put pressure on opposing QB’s, forcing them into bad decisions.

Schedule:
The conference slate is pretty tough. Conference road games at Arizona St, at Cal, at USC and at Oregon will most likely turn into the Beavers only four losses of the season.
2007 Predicted Record: 8-4 (5-4)

Oregon
2006 Record- 7-6
2006 ATS Record- 6-6

Offense: 7 Returning Starters
Senior QB Dennis Dixon returns and will be the leader of the offense once again. A lot of pressure should be off him making big plays with RB Jonathan Stewart in the backfield. Look for the Ducks to pound Stewart all game long which should open up the play-action pass deep.

Defense: 7 Returning Starters
The front seven needs to improve if the Ducks are to be successful in 2007. Look for more blitz packages that incorporate the LB’s more this year. The young secondary should be improved with a year under their belt.

Schedule:
The schedule isn’t that bad with only Michigan as a real threat in the non-conference. The conference schedule sets up nicely as the Ducks toughest road games are at UCLA and at Arizona.
2007 Predicted Record: 8-4 (5-4)

 

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