PAC-10 CONFERENCE AT A GLANCE

ARIZONA
2003: 2-10 overall; 1-7 Pac-10 (T-9th).
Coach: Mike Stoops: First year as head coach.
Returning starters: 18; 9 offense, 7 defense, kicker, punter.
Players to watch: TE Steve Fleming, WR Biren Ealy, RB Mike Bell, OT Brandon Phillips, FS Lamon Means, G Keoki Fraser.
Primary strengths: The Wildcats have some home run hitters on offense, notably Bell, who has all-league talent. The offensive line isn't deep, but it contains six useful players, all with at least a year's experience. Safeties Lamon Means and Darrell Brooks have been productive Pac-10 players.
Potential problems: Overall lack of speed is one of Stoops' first concerns. Athleticism and big-play linebackers, a necessity for winning Pac-10 football, are nowhere to be found. Sophomore QB Kris Heavner is mistake-prone, but nobody has been good enough to wrest the job away from him. The cornerback situation is scary.
Overview: Stoops will try to buy some time and steal a few victories while reconstructing the mess left by John Mackovic. Job One is to change attitude, strength and conditioning while building a recruiting base. That, combined with his working-class personality, will be enough to keep Wildcats fans interested in Year One.
Schedule:
Sep. 4 N. Arizona, 10 p.m.
Sep. 11 Utah, 10 p.m.
Sep. 18 Wisconsin, 4 p.m.
Sep. 25 Washington St., 3:30 p.m.
Oct. 9 at UCLA, 3:30 p.m.
Oct. 16 at Oregon, 3:30 p.m.
Oct. 23 California, 7 p.m.
Oct. 30 Oregon St., 7 p.m.
Nov. 6 at Washington, 3:30 p.m.
Nov. 13 at Southern Cal, 10:15 p.m.
Nov. 26 Arizona St., 3 p.m.
ARIZONA STATE
2003: 5-7 overall; 2-6 Pac-10 (T-8th).
Coach: Dirk Koetter: At Arizona State: 17-20, 3 years; overall: 43-30, 6 years.
Returning starters: 14; 6 offense, 7 defense, kicker.
Players to watch: QB Andrew Walter, TB Loren Wade, WR Derek Hagan, OG Grayling Love, LB Jamar Williams, SS Riccardo Stewart.
Primary strengths: Walter (3,044 yards passing, 24 TDs, 10 ints. last year) has a big-time arm and his complementary pieces appear solid. Hagan is a productive deep threat and the running back corps is thick and talented. Wade, especially, has a terrific upside. Stewart and Williams are big hitters.
Potential problems: The defensive line is thin because of attrition due to off-field situations, not a good sign for a unit that gave up an average of 171 yards a game on the ground in league play last year. The Nos. 2-3 wideouts are athletic but unproven, as are the freshmen tight ends.
Overview: Walter is a stellar talent and will be among the best quarterbacks in the country. But he needs help, as was made clear last year. With both sides of the ball learning new schemes, growing pains would seem inevitable. Although Koetter came under fire after backsliding last season, he has the offensive credentials -- and the athletes -- to get the job done.
Schedule:
Sep. 2 UTEP, 9 p.m.
Sep. 11 at Northwestern, Noon
Sep. 18 Iowa, 10 p.m.
Sep. 25 Oregon St., 10 p.m.
Oct. 2 at Oregon, 3:30 p.m.
Oct. 16 at Southern Cal, TBA
Oct. 23 UCLA, TBA
Oct. 30 at California, 3:30 p.m.
Nov. 6 Stanford, 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 13 Washington St., TBA
Nov. 26 at Arizona, 3 p.m.
CALIFORNIA
2003: 8-6 overall; 5-3 Pac-10 (T-3rd), beat Virginia Tech, 52-49, in Insight Bowl.
Coach: Jeff Tedford: At Cal and overall: 15-11; 2 years.
Returning starters: 16; 7 offense; 9 defense.
Players to watch: DT Lorenzo Alexander, QB Aaron Rodgers, WR Geoff McArthur, TB J.J. Arrington, LB Wendell Hunter, ROV Donnie McCleskey.
Primary strengths: Tedford has proven to be one of the best offensive coaches in the conference. His high-powered attack features Rodgers and McArthur (85 catches, school-record 1,504 yards, 10 TDs last year) both highly regarded nationally. The Bears have experience and depth at every defensive position, and with 50 returning lettermen, there's plenty of leadership.
Potential problems: Will the new tackles provide Rodgers with the protection he needs? Tailback J.J. Arrington had just 107 carries last season. Is he ready for full-time duty? The defense must reduce the number of big plays allowed.
Overview: Based on last season's performance and the number of returning starters, the Bears appear to be the prime challenger to USC's hold on the conference title. The key will be handling a difficult early-season schedule (trips to Air Force, Southern Miss and Oregon State in first five weeks).
Schedule:
Sep. 4 at Air Force, Noon
Sep. 11 New Mexico St., 6:30 p.m.
Sep. 16 at Southern Miss., 7:45 p.m.
Oct. 2 at Oregon St., 4 p.m.
Oct. 9 at Southern Cal, TBA
Oct. 16 UCLA, 5 p.m.
Oct. 23 at Arizona, 7 p.m.
Oct. 30 Arizona St., 3:30 p.m.
Nov. 6 Oregon, 3:30 p.m.
Nov. 13 at Washington, 3:30 p.m.
Nov. 20 Stanford, 3:30 p.m.
OREGON
2003: 8-5 overall; 5-3 Pac-10 (3rd), lost to Minnesota, 31-30, in Sun Bowl.
Coach: Mike Bellotti: At Oregon: 75-23, 9 years; overall: 98-59-2, 14 years.
Returning starters: 15; 8 offense, 5 defense, punter, kicker.
Players to watch: WR Demetrius Williams, QB Kellen Clemens, TB Terrence Whitehead, DT Haloti Ngata, DE Devan Long, FS J.D. Nelson, K Jared Siegel.
Primary strengths: The offense is potentially scary-good. Four starters return on the offensive line, the top four running backs are back, the receiving corps will be at least eight deep ... and Clemens really began to show late last season that he knows how to direct all that talent around him.
Potential problems: Inexperience at linebacker and a lack of depth on the defensive line could leave Oregon vulnerable. The pass defense has been horrible for the past three years -- the best national ranking in that time was 105th last season -- and there are still questions at cornerback.
Overview: The addition of Oklahoma to the schedule -- replacing Nevada -- figures to give the Ducks an early loss, but it could also steel them for the challenges ahead. There isn't a super-tough home game on the schedule, so Oregon could fairly easily sweep those six games and be at set up for a bowl. Conference road games will determine how big.
Schedule:
Sep. 11 Indiana, 3:30 p.m.
Sep. 18 at Oklahoma, 3:30 p.m.
Sep. 25 Idaho, 3:30 p.m.
Oct. 2 Arizona St., 3:30 p.m.
Oct. 9 at Washington St., 5 p.m.
Oct. 16 Arizona, 3:30 p.m.
Oct. 23 at Stanford, 5 p.m.
Oct. 30 Washington, 3:30 p.m.
Nov. 6 at California, 3:30 p.m.
Nov. 13 UCLA, 3:30 p.m.
Nov. 20 at Oregon St., 7 p.m.
OREGON STATE
2003: 8-5 overall; 4-4 Pac-10 (T-5th), beat New Mexico, 55-14, in Las Vegas Bowl.
Coach: Mike Riley: At Oregon State and overall: 14-19, 3 years.
Returning starters: 11; 4 offense, 7 defense.
Players to watch: QB Derek Anderson, SE Mike Hass, TE Joe Newton, DE Bill Swancutt, LB Jonathan Pollard, CB Brandon Browner, S Mitch Meeuwsen.
Primary strengths: Anderson is a two-year starter and threw for a school-record 4,058 yards in 2003. The defense has some holes, but also has some of the Pac-10's best players at their respective positions, notably Browner and Swancutt.
Potential problems: The offensive line must be overhauled on the left side that protects Anderson's back side. A QB injury could be devastating. There are no proven receivers beyond Hass. The punter and kicker will be first-year starters. The entire middle of the defense must be replaced.
Overview: Adding a road game at LSU at the expense of a home game against Temple toughened an already-difficult schedule. More of the offensive burden will fall on Anderson, who has alternated being prolific and perplexing. How he plays could mean the difference between contending for a minor bowl and something greater.
Schedule:
Sep. 4 at LSU, 6 p.m.
Sep. 10 at Boise St., 10 p.m.
Sep. 18 New Mexico, 4 p.m.
Sep. 25 at Arizona St., 10 p.m.
Oct. 2 California, 4 p.m.
Oct. 16 at Washington, 3:30 p.m.
Oct. 23 Washington St., 4 p.m.
Oct. 30 at Arizona, 7 p.m.
Nov. 6 Southern Cal, 4 p.m.
Nov. 13 at Stanford, TBA
Nov. 20 Oregon, 7 p.m.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
2003: 12-1, 7-1 in Pac-10 (first), beat Michigan, 28-14, in Rose Bowl, finished first in final Associated Press poll.
Coach: Pete Carroll: At Southern Cal and overall: 29-9, 3 years.
Returning starters: 12; 4 offense, 6 defense, kicker, punter.
Players to watch: QB Matt Leinart, TB LenDale White, TB-WR Reggie Bush, DE Shaun Cody, DT Mike Patterson, LB Matt Grootegoed, LB Lofa Tatupu.
Primary strengths: The defensive line is deep and talented, led by Cody and Patterson, both seniors. All three linebackers and the safeties started last season. Leinart is a Heisman candidate and all three tailbacks return ... and offensive coordinator Norm Chow knows what to do with all that talent.
Potential problems: The offensive line lost four starters. The wide receivers are relatively inexperienced and cynics wonder if Leinart can duplicate his 2003 season without Mike Williams, who is appealing a return to USC after applying for the draft in the wake of the since-overturned Maurice Clarett ruling. The defense lost both starting corners and is relying on sixth-year senior Kevin Arbet, out most of the past two seasons with a broken foot.
Overview: Whatever questions emerged after the Rose Bowl tended to be downplayed because of Carroll's 23-3 record the past two seasons. His system on offense and defense seems to be infallible lately no matter who he plugs into the lineup. The talent, the schedule, the coaching ... it all adds up to No. 1.
Schedule:
Aug. 28 at Virginia Tech, 7:45 p.m.
Sep. 11 Colorado St., 8 p.m.
Sep. 18 at BYU, 10 p.m.
Sep. 25 at Stanford, 7 p.m.
Oct. 9 California, TBA
Oct. 16 Arizona St., TBA
Oct. 23 Washington, 4:30 p.m.
Oct. 30 at Washington St., 7 p.m.
Nov. 6 at Oregon St., 4 p.m.
Nov. 13 Arizona, 10:15 p.m.
Nov. 27 Notre Dame, 8 p.m.
Dec. 4 at UCLA, 4:30 p.m.
STANFORD
2003: 4-7 overall; 2-6 Pac-10 (T-8th).
Coach: Buddy Teevens: At Stanford: 6-16, 2 years; overall: 56-92-2, 14 years.
Returning starters: 15; 5 offense, 9 defense, kicker.
Players to watch: QB Trent Edwards, TE Alex Smith, DT Babatunde Oshinowo, LB David Bergeron, FS Oshiomogho Atogwe.
Primary strengths: Nine starters return on defense, including the entire back seven. Tight end Alex Smith is one of the league's best, and the tailbacks, Kenneth Tolon and J.R. Lemon, are solid.
Potential problems: Where to begin? The offensive line is ridiculously young. Edwards has just four career starts. There isn't much speed or experience at receiver. The coaching staff has not proven it can design and install an effective offense. Half the defensive line must be replaced. There is no proven pass rusher, and the kicking game is fragile.
Overview: Stanford must take advantage of the favorable early-season schedule (San Jose State, BYU, Washington among four straight home games to open up) to boost morale and build momentum. Everyone knows Teevens' job could be on the line, and with five of the last seven on the road, it could quickly turn into a death spiral. The team quit on Teevens in a 2-9 finish two years ago, and it could happen again.
Schedule:
Sep. 4 San Jose St., 10 p.m.
Sep. 11 BYU, 10 p.m.
Sep. 25 Southern Cal, 7 p.m.
Oct. 2 Washington, 5 p.m.
Oct. 9 at Notre Dame, 2:30 p.m.
Oct. 16 at Washington St., 5 p.m.
Oct. 23 Oregon, 5 p.m.
Oct. 30 at UCLA, TBA
Nov. 6 at Arizona St., 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 13 Oregon St., TBA
Nov. 20 at California, 3:30 p.m.
UCLA
2003: 6-7 overall; 4-4 Pac-10 (T-6th), lost to Fresno State. 17-9, in Silicon Valley Classic.
Coach: Karl Dorrell: At UCLA and overall: 6-7, 1 year.
Returning starters: 15; 8 offense, 5 defense, kicker, punter.
Players to watch: QB Drew Olson, RB Maurice Drew, WR Craig Bragg, TE Marcedes Lewis, DT Kevin Brown, LB Justin London, LB Spencer Havner, FS Ben Emanuel.
Primary strengths: The entire starting offensive line, led by guard Eyoseph Efseaff, is back. Drew has adjusted to the speed of the college game and could be ready for a breakout season as the featured back. Olson has matured and now better understands how to practice and prepare.
Potential problems: The offensive line lacks depth and athleticism, and only recently grasped the importance of weight training. Olson is the only experienced quarterback, and he was routinely hit last season (and he has the same group protecting him). The defensive line is all new, and young.
Overview: It seems far too few people realize the mess Dorrell inherited, but having only nine scholarship offensive linemen in the spring and losing his top five defensive linemen to graduation should indicate the poor planning that took place before he arrived. If the Bruins win six games, Dorrell will have done a sensational job.
Schedule:
Sep. 4 Oklahoma St., 3:30 p.m.
Sep. 11 at Illinois, Noon
Sep. 18 at Washington, 7 p.m.
Oct. 2 San Diego St., TBA
Oct. 9 Arizona, 3:30 p.m.
Oct. 16 at California, 5 p.m.
Oct. 23 at Arizona St., TBA
Oct. 30 Stanford, TBA
Nov. 6 Washington St., TBA
Nov. 13 at Oregon, 3:30 p.m.
Dec. 4 Southern Cal, 4:30 p.m.
WASHINGTON
2003: 6-6 overall; 4-4 Pac-10 (T-5th).
Coach: Keith Gilbertson: At Washington: 6-6, 1 year; overall: 54-43, 8 years.
Returning starters: 13; 6 offense, 6 defense, kicker.
Players to watch: WR Charles Frederick, CB Derrick Johnson, OT Khalif Barnes, RB Kenny James, DE Manase Hopoi.
Primary strengths: Assuming another bomb doesn't hit (read: possible NCAA sanctions), this figures to be a more together team and coaching staff than the 2003 edition, which had to deal with the coaching change with Gilbertson replacing Rick Neuheisel, who was fired for participating in a high-stakes NCAA basketball pool, then allegedly lying about it. Frederick, as a receiver and returner, is the playmaker to build around.
Potential problems: In terms of preseason all-conference candidates and the like, this looks like one of the least talented Husky teams in a long time. The lines are thin on both sides of the ball, there is no experienced quarterback, and there is little experience at most skill positions. The schedule (trips to Fresno State, Notre Dame, Southern Cal and Washington State) also is again difficult.
Overview: This is still a program in transition. While there are few established stars, there is some talent here, as was evidenced in the wins over Oregon, Oregon State and Wash. State last season. But this looks to be a rebuilding year and any bowl should be considered a triumphant season.
Schedule:
Sep. 5 Fresno St., 5:30 p.m.
Sep. 18 UCLA, 7 p.m.
Sep. 25 at Notre Dame, 3:30 p.m.
Oct. 2 at Stanford, 5 p.m.
Oct. 9 San Jose St., 3:30 p.m.
Oct. 16 Oregon St., 3:30 p.m.
Oct. 23 at Southern Cal, 4:30 p.m.
Oct. 30 at Oregon, 3:30 p.m.
Nov. 6 Arizona, 3:30 p.m.
Nov. 13 California, 3:30 p.m.
Nov. 20 at Washington St., 8 p.m.
WASHINGTON STATE
2003: 10-3 overall; 6-2 Pac-10 (2nd), beat Texas, 28-20, in Holiday Bowl.
Coach: Bill Doba: At WSU and overall: 10-3, 1 year.
Returning starters: 7; 4 offense, 2 defense, punter.
Players to watch: LB Will Derting, P Kyle Basler, TE Troy Bienemann, CB Karl Paymah, OT Calvin Armstrong, QB Josh Swogger, RB Chris Bruhn.
Primary strengths: A veteran offensive line will buy time for the young quarterbacks and barely-tested running backs. Will Derting is as good a linebacker as any in the Pac-10. Even with the loss of so many starters, the talent level will not drop off as quickly after a successful season as it often has at WSU.
Potential problems: Youth and inexperience, particularly at quarterback, where the Cougars still have to pick between Josh Swogger and Alex Brink. WSU's defense has traditionally started with big, strong, experienced tackles, and those are in short supply. The linebacking corps is perilously thin.
Overview: Unlike some previous rebuilding projects at WSU, this time the Cougars actually have some tools and some choices. Many of the backups moving into starting roles have seen significant playing time, so the slippage might not be as dramatic as the numbers would suggest, and a fourth straight bowl appearance is within reach.
Schedule:
Sep. 3 at New Mexico, 8 p.m.
Sep. 11 Colorado, 3:30 p.m.
Sep. 18 Idaho, 5 p.m.
Sep. 25 at Arizona, 3:30 p.m.
Oct. 9 Oregon, 5 p.m.
Oct. 16 Stanford, 5 p.m.
Oct. 23 at Oregon St., 4 p.m.
Oct. 30 Southern Cal, 7 p.m.
Nov. 6 at UCLA, TBA
Nov. 13 at Arizona St., TBA
Nov. 20 Washington, 8 p.m.
Lindy's Sports