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The Pac-10 and Big 12 nearly got married last year, but only Colorado ended up eloping with the now-Pac-12.

You know: The conference that can count!

But the Pac-12, which has, yes, 12 teams, and the Big 12, which has 10 teams (though it's often hard to keep up with which ones), play each other in three bowl games this holiday season.

Joy to the world.

So it seemed like a good time for the Pac-12 and Big 12 bloggers -- Ted Miller and David Ubben -- to say howdy and discuss all the coming fun.

Ted Miller: Ah, David, the bowl season. Pure bliss. Unless you’re the Pac-12, which is expected to get a whipping from your conference over the holidays. We have three Pac-12-Big 12 bowl games with the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl between Stanford and Oklahoma State, the Valero Alamo with Baylor and Washington and the Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl matching California and Texas. And the Big 12 is favored in all three!

Poor ole West Coast teams. What are we to do? It’s almost like the Big 12 is the SEC or something. Speaking of which, how are things with your Cowboys? Are they over not getting a shot at LSU for the national title? Are they excited about getting a shot at Andrew Luck and Stanford? We might as well start with that outstanding matchup in Glendale, Ariz.

David Ubben: You know, I was actually a little surprised. I stuck around Stillwater for the BCS bowl selection show announcement, and the players took the news pretty well. They found out an hour before, but there wasn't a ton of down-in-the-dumpiness from the Pokes. When you've never been to this point before, it's a bit difficult to develop a sense of entitlement. If Oklahoma had OSU's record and was passed over by Alabama and sent to the Fiesta Bowl for the 17th time in the past six years, you might have had a different reaction.

But Oklahoma State's first trip to the BCS and first Big 12 title aren't being overlooked. These players are looking forward to this game. There's no doubt about that.

I know the Big 12 seems like the SEC, but I have a confession, Ted. I wasn't supposed to tell anybody, but I can't hold it in anymore. When the Big 12 began back in 1996 ... wow, I'm really going to do this ... then-SEC commissioner Roy Kramer graciously allowed the league to keep two of his teams. The league made a similar arrangement with the Big Eight a century ago, and the Southwest Conference around the same time. Missouri and Texas A&M are really wolves in sheep's clothing: SEC teams just pretending to be in other leagues. So that might explain the Big 12's recent dominance.

These should all be fun games, though. I ranked two of the matchups among the top three in my bowl rankings.

As for the big one, they say you learn more by losing than by winning. Stanford got its first BCS win after last season. How do you think that experience plays into this postseason's game? I hate to ruin the surprise, but Oklahoma State's a bit better than the Virginia Tech team Stanford beat last postseason. OSU's loss to Iowa State this season is bad, but it's nothing like the Hokies' loss to James Madison last season.

Ted Miller: Not only is Oklahoma State better than Virginia Tech, it's still questionable whether this Stanford team is better than last season's. Since we're going all crazy and whispering about the SEC, there was a feeling out West that by the end of the 2010 season the Cardinal might not only be the best team in the Pac-12 but also in the nation. They were big and physical, and quarterback Luck actually had a solid receiving corps with which to work. After a loss to Oregon in the fifth game of the season, they didn't lose again until playing, er, Oregon in this season's 10th game. If we could go back in time and have the Cardinal play Auburn, I think Stanford would have won the national title.

But that's 2010. The differences this season are the season-ending knee injury to middle linebacker Shayne Skov, who was an All-American candidate, and a slight step back on the offensive line and a lack of top-flight receivers. But if Oklahoma State fans are looking for something to worry about it is this: Stanford's running game.

The Pokes are bad against the run, and they haven't faced a team that is as physical and creative in the running game as Stanford. As much as folks talk about Luck's passing, it's his run checks that often ruin a defense's evening.

The Fiesta Bowl matchup looks like a great one, perhaps the best of the bowl season. But I’m excited to see Mr. Excitement, Robert Griffin III, in the Alamo Bowl against Washington. Of course, I’m not sure that the Huskies, their fans and embattled Huskies defensive coordinator Nick Holt are as thrilled. First, tell us about what Washington should be most worried about with Griffin. Then tell us about Baylor in general. Such as: Can the Bears stop anyone?

David Ubben: Nope. Not really.

Oklahoma State's defense unfairly gets a bad rap. Baylor's bad rap is earned. This is the same team that won five consecutive games late in the season -- but became the first team ever to win four consecutive in a single season while giving up 30 points in each.

That, if you ask me, says plenty about both the defense and the power of RG3. The Bears have a lot of athletes on the defense, but when four of your top five tacklers are defensive backs, well, you need a guy like RG3 to go 9-3.

The man is a nightmare. Top to bottom, he's the most accurate passer in a quarterback-driven league. Then you add in his athleticism, which he doesn't even really need to be extremely productive. It sets him apart, though, and forces defenses to account for it, and it buys him time in the pocket. How many guys break a 20-plus-yard run then hit a receiver for a game-winning 39-yard score to beat a team like Oklahoma for the first time?

How do you think Washington will try to slow him down? What has to happen for it to have some success?

Ted Miller: This game matches the 99th (Washington) and 109th (Baylor) scoring defenses. It has a 78-point over-under, the biggest of any bowl game. The offenses are going to score plenty, at least that's the conventional wisdom.

How does Washington stop RG3? His name is Chris Polk. He's a running back. Baylor gives up 199 yards rushing per game. Polk right, left and up the middle is a good way to contain Griffin. The Huskies' best hope is to reduce Griffin's touches with ball control. They also need to convert touchdowns, not field goals, in the red zone. The Huskies are pretty good at that, scoring 36 TDs in 45 visits to the red zone.

The Huskies also have a pretty good quarterback in Keith Price, who set a school record with 29 touchdown passes this season. He and a solid crew of receivers have prevented teams from ganging up against Polk. But Polk is the guy who burns the clock.

Should be a fun game. As should, by the way, the Holiday Bowl. David, Cal fans are still mad at Texas coach Mack Brown and his politicking the Longhorns into the Rose Bowl in 2004. Every team wants to win its bowl game, but the Old Blues really want to beat Brown.

Of course, neither team is what it was in 2004. Cal has an excuse. It's not a college football superpower. Sure you've been asked this before, but give me the CliffsNotes version of why the Longhorns have fallen so hard since playing for the national title in 2009.

David Ubben: Cal fans are still mad? Really? I'd suggest they get over themselves. What's anybody on that Cal team ever done, anyway? It's not like the best player in the NFL missed out on a chance to play in the Rose Bowl. Now if that were the case, we might have a problem. But honestly, I don't think Tim Tebow cares all that much about the Rose Bowl.

As for Texas' struggles …

The easy answer is quarterback play. Texas relied on Colt McCoy and Jordan Shipley more than anyone realized. When they were gone, Texas couldn't run the ball, and quarterback Garrett Gilbert never made it happen. Two seasons later, the Longhorns still don't have a quarterback.

The other big answer last season was turnover margin. Gilbert threw 17 interceptions, and the Longhorns were minus-12 in turnovers, which ranked 115th nationally.

They were still only 90th this season, and without solid quarterback play in a Big 12 dominated by passers, they scored five, 13 and 17 points in three of their five losses. Texas keeps people from moving the ball and runs the ball better this season, but without a solid passing game and a defense that changes games, it's tough to rack up wins in the Big 12.

It's been awhile since Cal was in the mix for the BCS, even as USC has fallen. Oregon answered the call and rose, but what has prevented Cal from winning the Pac-10 and Super Pac-10 since the Trojans' swoon?

Ted Miller: You mention quarterback play. Cal fans ... any thoughts? You mention Aaron Rodgers. Cal fans? Oh well, that's not very nice during this festive time of the year.

Cal has become a solid defensive team, but it has lost its offensive mojo, and that can be traced to a drop in quarterback play since Rodgers departed. The latest Bears quarterback, Zach Maynard, started fairly well then stumbled, but then seemed to catch on late in the season. It's reasonable to believe the team that gets better quarterback play -- mistake-free quarterback play -- is going to win this game.

Nice to cover a conference in which quarterback play matters, eh David?

Speaking of quarterback play and winning, let's wind it up. Our specific predictions aren't coming on these games until after Christmas. But we can handicap the Big 12-Pac-12 side of things. We have a three-game series this bowl season.

I say the Pac-12, underdogs in all three games, goes 1-2. What say you?

David Ubben: And to think, before the season all I heard was the Pac-12 had surpassed the Big 12 in quarterback play. Did somebody petition the NCAA for another year of eligibility for Jake Locker and/or clone Matt Barkley? You West Coast folk are geniuses; I figured you'd find a way. We can't all be Stanford alum ...

Clearing out all the tumbleweeds here in middle America, I'll go out on a limb for the Big 12 in this one. Every matchup is a good one, and I don't think Cal has seen a defense like Texas', and Washington hasn't seen an offense like Baylor's. People forget that, yeah, RG3 is outstanding, but the Bears also have the league's leading receiver and leading rusher.

Stanford-OSU is a toss-up, but I'll go with a perfect sweep for the Big 12. The Cowboys haven't played poorly on the big stage yet, so I'll give them the benefit of the doubt in this one, and they clean up for the Big 12 against what was almost their new conference this fall.

Oh, what could have been. Ubben and Miller on the same blog? Divided ultimately by a little thing we call the Rockies.

STANFORD, Calif. -- Washington can beat Stanford.

Only the No. 25 Huskies will have to be at their absolute best, and No. 8 Stanford will have to slip at least slightly below its optimum level. And, by the way, that exact scenario plays out many times a year in college football.

Last year in Seattle, Stanford played well, the Huskies did not, and the result was a 41-0 stomping that wasn't as close as the final score indicates. But that loss seems to have served as a critical moment for the Huskies.

They've gone 8-2 since, while playing a more physical brand of football on both sides of the ball. That meant relying on running back Chris Polk more than the passing game during a 4-0 run to conclude the 2010 season, including an impressive Holiday Bowl win over Nebraska.

Then Keith Price arrived this fall -- literally and figuratively. The sophomore has given the Huskies passing game a significant upgrade -- see 21 touchdown passes, more than Jake Locker threw all of last year -- and that has translated to an offense that has scored 30 or more points in every game this season.

Price has Polk, a solid offensive line, a deep crew of receivers and a dangerous tight end. These guys can move the ball on just about anyone.

Defense? Well, giving up 401 yards and 28.5 points per game is nothing to celebrate, but the Huskies rank 17th in the nation in run defense, giving up just 97 yards per game.

And stopping the run is the first thing a team must do against Stanford. Yes, Andrew Luck is the best quarterback in college football. But he's unstoppable when the Cardinal running game is gaining yards in four, five and 10-yard chunks.

The Huskies have the size on their interior D-line to at least force Stanford to the perimeter. Alameda Ta'amu, Semisi Tokolahi and Danny Shelton all tip the scales at more than 330 pounds. While Stanford guard David DeCastro is one of the best, mauling run blockers, center Sam Schwartzstein and guard David Yankey are first-year starters. This will be their biggest test thus far.

The Huskies need to create second- and third-and-long situations and then hope they can mute Luck and perhaps force a mistake or two. Sacking Luck almost never happens -- just twice this year -- but perhaps the UW pass rush can get just enough pressure to disrupt his timing.

On the other side of the ball, Price and his strong supporting cast of skill guys won't be able to do much if the offensive line gets whipped. The Cardinal leads the Pac-12 with 23 sacks and ranks No. 2 in the nation in run defense (59.5 yards per game).

Stanford is not only riding a 14-game winning streak -- longest in FBS -- it's on the cusp of being historically dominant.

It has won each of its past nine games by at least 25 points, becoming the first FBS team to do so since Boise State in 2002. In the poll era (since 1936), no team has won 10 consecutive games by at least 25 points. To put that in perspective, there have been 370 winning streaks of at least 10 games since 1936, and nobody has won 10 straight by 25+ points.

During that nine-game streak, Stanford’s scoring margin is +34.2 PPG. Overall in their 14-game win streak, Stanford’s scoring margin is +27.9 PPG.

So there are a lot of reasons not to believe the Huskies can win.

But there is never certainty in college football.

Football folks often talk about a team being "physical." Or playing "physically." Yet those are general terms that don't tell us much, other than suggesting a team can run the ball and stop the run because it's solid up front.

You, of course, want specifics. What does it really mean?

"What's your deal?" That's what it means.

Harken back to the scene of beleaguered former USC coach Pete Carroll -- Carroll beleaguered! -- sharing an unhappy handshake in 2009 with former Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh, who had just aggressively run up the score on the Trojans in a 55-21 win. That was physical football writ loud and large and in your face with no apologies. The Cardinal rushed for 325 yards -- 178 yards and three touchdowns from Toby Gerhart -- and scored four fourth-quarter touchdowns. And on the third one, Harbaugh had opted to go for two.

"What's your deal?" Carroll asked Harbaugh.

His deal, Pete, was physical football, which is about a team mercilessly imposing its will at the expense of its opponent. New Stanford coach David Shaw was the Cardinal's offensive coordinator that day when USC's homecoming was ruined by its worst home loss since 1966, a beatdown that required only 144 passing yards from Andrew Luck.

Stanford is always called "physical" these days, and Shaw immediately cited the 2009 USC bludgeoning as his favorite example of that well-deserved reputation.

"It was 55 to whatever and we probably ran the same play 12 or 13 times in a row," he said. "And about 25-30 times in the game."

That play was Gerhart up the middle.

Washington also knows about Stanford playing physical football. The 25th-ranked Huskies visit No. 8 Stanford on Saturday with a 41-0 beatdown delivered in Seattle last year still fresh in their collective noggins. Stanford, which led 28-0 with 8 1/2 minutes left in the second quarter, outgained Washington 470 yards to 107, the lowest total for the Huskies under coach Steve Sarkisian.

"They just out-physicaled us," Washington linebacker Cort Dennison said. "Just beat us down. Plain and simple."

Harbaugh shared that take, gleefully gloating to his players afterward in the locker room, according to Bud Withers of the Seattle Times:

"Dominating!" Harbaugh hooted at his players. "We kicked their ass every which way! One hell of a job on both sides of the line! Dominant, dominant!"

Then Harbaugh referenced Pete Carroll, Lane Kiffin, Steve Sarkisian and the UW head coach's defensive coordinator, Nick Holt, and said, "What are you guys, 5-1, 6-1 against that group [in his four-year tenure]? That's the highest-paid coaching staff around!"

No one wants to hear that sort of talk from an opponent. But what could the Huskies say in return?

"You want to bring it to them, but they're bringing it to us," Dennison said. "It was hard."

Thing about that game, though, is the Huskies haven't been the same since. Sure, they got ripped the next week at Oregon, with some obscure quarterback named Keith Price recording his first career start for an injured Jake Locker. But they are 9-1 since the Oregon game, and clearly playing more physical football.

How did Stanford build a physical football team?

"It's really pretty simple," Shaw said. "You have really, really physical practices and the cream rises to the top. The guys who are physical and tough by nature, they stand out. And the guys that aren't, they start to wilt."

How did Washington take the same course?

"I think you have to practice it and you have to coach to it," Sarkisian said. "It has to be talked to and you have to give living examples of it. And you have to play the game that way, and I think you need to call the game that way. We've tried to dedicate ourselves to that."

And the Stanford game was a turning point, in large part because Sarkisian decided it would be, even if that didn't go over well with some of his players at the time. That included a fairly embarrassing film session showing guys getting pushed around. That included more hitting -- and yelling -- in practices.

"The coaches after that week definitely tested our will as a team," Dennison said. "But we didn't ever want to see that happen again. It was pretty embarrassing. We took it to heart."

It appears that is true. Stanford ranks third in the Pac-12 in rushing offense (181.7 yards per game). Washington ranks fourth (173.7 ypg). Stanford ranks first -- and second in the nation -- in run defense (59.5 ypg). Washington ranks third -- 17th in the nation -- (97 ypg).

Of course, being physical doesn't mean you don't throw the ball; these teams have combined for 40 touchdown passes -- it just means balance creates efficiency: Stanford is No. 1 and Washington No. 2 in the conference in passing efficiency.

Further, Washington isn't there yet. It's improved on both lines but it's not yet grading roads like the Stanford does. It starts in recruiting with an emphasis on linemen. Sarkisian surely looks enviously at the Cardinal's line, which includes guard David DeCastro, who is not only the nation's best run-blocker, but also a product of Bellevue (Wash.) High School, which is a short drive from Husky Stadium.

It just so happens that the two most talked about recruits in the state of Washington this year are a pair of offensive linemen: Joshua Garnett and Zach Banner. Both have offers from just about everyone, and Sarkisian needs to sign at least one. If he gets both, well, that would be quite a deal.

But that's the future. The present is the Huskies trying to win a "hello, world" game at Stanford, and the Cardinal trying to record a quality win that boosts its national-title contender Q-rating among those ranking teams in the national polls.

Both coaches will talk about turnovers and mistakes and execution and all of that. But the first question for the Huskies is if they can match Stanford's physical play.

Said Sarkisian: "They've done a nice job of that and they've dedicated themselves to being a physical football team. I think we have as well. We'll find out how far away we are on Saturday."

In 2008, USC and offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian were wrapping up a 12-1 season and another -- yawn -- Rose Bowl victory while Washington was swirling down the toilet bowl of an 0-12 season. Sarkisian and head coach Pete Carroll were in the midst of signing another top-rated recruiting class, and they cherry-picked everybody's top-rated quarterback [cue angelic chorus] Matt Barkley.

Meanwhile, dour, defeated Tyrone Willingham up at Washington got a commitment from... wait... [shuffling recruiting web pages] ... here it is... a fellow from Saint John Bosco High School whom ESPN recruiting identified as an "athlete," not a quarterback.

Keith Price was the No. 120 athlete in the nation, in fact. Who knew there were that many athletes?

Ah, but Sarkisian had raised an old former quarterback's eyebrow at Price while scouting Barkley. When he was hired to replace Willingham, he made an inspired decision that went completely unheralded at the time.

"That was one of the key things we wanted to get done as soon as I took this job: Keep [Price] committed here," Sarkisian said.

Entering the season, Price, a 6-foot-1, 195-pound sophomore, was mostly viewed as the guy who would hand the ball to tailback Chris Polk. Be a game manager. Don't screw things up. Behave.

Instead, he presently ranks ninth in the nation in passing efficiency and is tied for the lead with 14 touchdown passes. He's completed 67 percent of his passes with just three interceptions, and the Huskies are 3-1 in large part because of his immediate success.

Barkley, while a likely NFL first-round draft pick this spring, ranks 34th in the nation in passing efficiency. Just saying.

Price's only previous significant action before this season was a start at Oregon last year when Jake Locker was hurt, and he turned in solid but unspectacular numbers: 14 of 28 for 127 yards with a TD and no interceptions in a blowout loss. Spring practice began with Price expected to be in a tight battle with Nick Montana -- yes, son of Joe -- to replace Locker. It ended with Price the clear starter.

Still, an impressive spring game and consistent playmaking in practice is one thing. What about when the lights go on and the action counts?

Question answered. Price, reputed to be cooler under pressure than a fall evening in Seattle, seems almost amused that folks are surprised.

"I knew how good I could play," Price said. "I knew my potential."

That's not just Price's personal confidence. That is a common theme among the Huskies players and coaches. While fans and media are agog with "Can you believe how good Keith Price is?" the Huskies coaches and players say they saw this coming.

"He's been doing this for us every day in practice," Sarkisian said. "Did I think he was going to be leading the country in touchdown passes after four games? Probably not. But I did think he'd play well."

Polk said this before the Huskies visited Nebraska on Sept. 17: "I'm not surprised at all. He's one hell of a player and he's not reached his full potential."

Price and Polk will face a big test at Utah on Saturday. The Utes are tough in Rice-Eccles Stadium, which old Pac-10 fans are about to learn is one of the loudest venues in the conference. They play sound, rugged defense. The Utes are fourth in the conference in rushing defense, No. 1 in pass efficiency defense and have forced 12 turnovers, four more than any other conference team.

But what Utah coach Kyle Whittingham, who also recruited Price, sees on film is a quarterback who can make a defense look bad even when it is sound.

"He makes so many non-rhythmic plays for them," Whittingham said. "When the play breaks down, when the pocket breaks down, he's able to escape and find a throwing window and makes something happen."

That has been Price's best skill thus far: His creativity. While he's a good athlete, he's more of a pure passer than a runner. He uses his athletic ability to extend plays, not to scramble for yards. He's hit a number of throws downfield when on the run outside the pocket.

Sarkisian calls this Price's "stinger." Sometimes coaches want to tamp it down because it's outside-the-playbook thinking. But not Sarkisian, even if it sometimes leads to an unhappy ending.

"Many of the good plays that he makes for us [involve] extending plays and buying time in the pocket," Sarkisian said. "He's going to make mistakes doing that stuff, but I just don't want to take that stinger from him. We're going to coach him. We're going to coach him on ball security -- the fumble there on the sack on the two-minute drill right before the end of the half [against California]. Those aren't great plays from him, but he'll learn. I definitely don't want to take that stinger from him because it's a unique asset to our offense right now."

That "stinger" has been around for a while. Price has played quarterback since he was eight years old. He never played any other position. While he doesn't have the polish or the "wow" arm strength Barkley has, it's already clear he has playmaking instincts and outstanding vision.

Further, he doesn't seem to cloud his thinking with the analysis of minutia. The best advice he's received about playing quarterback? "Just keep playing, no matter what the score is. Just keep playing and keep leading. That's the best advice. Forget about the score and just play."

It's also worth noting that Price has been putting up these numbers while not 100 percent physically. He engineered the win against Cal on two sprained knees.

"I still have a long way to go," he said. "Hopefully, my knees get better, back to 100 percent, so I can really showcase what I'm about."

So 14 touchdown passes in four games isn't even Price's best. Seems like a reason to stay tuned.

» Power Rankings: ACC | Big 12 | Big East | Big Ten | Pac-12 | SEC

If you don't like where you are in the power rankings, play better.

See last week's power rankings here.

1. Oregon: The Ducks move back to the top while Stanford was off because they were slightly more dominant at Arizona than the Cardinal, and the power rankings often rely on the transitive property.

2. Stanford: Cardinal probably shouldn't despair a fall from the top, seeing that we have them projected as finishing with a supper date with the Granddaddy.

3. Arizona State: After beating USC, the Sun Devils have two quality wins -- Missouri and the Trojans -- which is a better resume than any other conference team. And most of the top 25.

4. Washington: Wow, Keith Price! He's got 14 TD pass, and no one in the nation has more. Jake Locker threw 17 all of last year. And the defense made a stand in the fourth quarter against California.

5. USC: There was a lot of talk among USC writers of the Trojans getting outcoached at ASU. Whether that's true or not, the Sun Devils certainly were more effective counterpunchers.

6. Utah: Utes emerge from their bye weekend and now prepare for their first Pac-12 home game. Want respect? Beat Washington at home on Saturday and set up a HUGE South Division showdown with Arizona State.

7. California: The Bears' loss at Washington didn't feel like some of the "what the heck?" losses in past years. Cal fought to the end, but the Huskies just looked like a better team. The first step for the Bears might be getting back to playing to their potential each weekend, unlike past talented teams that often underachieved. The problem is this is about where Cal falls in terms of talent.

8. UCLA: Winning is winning is winning, and it's way better than losing. Further, at 2-2, the Bruins are certainly in the mix for bowl eligibility. But the performance at Oregon State didn't exactly suggest this team is headed for a transformation. What sort of chance do the Bruins stand at Stanford?

9. Washington State: The Cougars play at Colorado and at UCLA the next two weekends. After those games, it's almost certain we will know the measure of this team -- and whether coach Paul Wulff will retain his job.

10. Arizona: It sucks down here, eh Wildcats? There's no shame in losing to top-10 teams, but getting stomped three times is no fun. Sure, after next weekend's visit to USC, the schedule eases up a whole bunch. But a road win against the Trojans would serve as a pitcher of ice water for a fanbase that is parched and prone on the desert floor. It could transform the season.

11. Colorado: When Buffaloes fans looked at the 2011 schedule -- and after going, "Really? Really? Come on! 13 games, no bye? At Ohio State? Really?" -- they penciled in a victory over Washington State at home on Saturday. As a new coach, Jon Embree has a reservoir of good will from his fans. That reservoir will show a slight fissure if the Cougars swagger out of Boulder with a W.

12. Oregon State: A trip to Arizona State doesn't feel like it's exactly what the doctor ordered for the struggling Beavers. The worry I had watching the UCLA game was that, as a guy with an opinion on everything -- even on stuff I know nothing about -- I really don't have any suggestions to Mike Riley and company. Other than keep sawing wood and hope some young players start to grow up.

Stanford and Oregon were a combined 24-2 last year and both are presently ranked in the nation's top-10. They are the top of the Pac-12 North. The number of people who don't think one or the other will win the division is 17, and six of them are Norwegian, folks who as you well know are notoriously contrarian when it comes to college football analysis.

Looking up at the Ducks and Cardinal are four other the North teams, but the two top candidates for the three-hole will be in Seattle on Saturday scrapping it out for the right to become a "maybe" contender that could make the Norwegians look like giants of prognostication: California and Washington, neither of whom enjoy hearing about how great Stanford ("Blech," say the Bears) and Oregon ("Pfffftt," say the Huskies) are.

These two combined for 12-13 record last fall, with the Huskies managing to win seven games only because they pried No. 5 away from Cal on what suddenly -- wham! -- became the final play of the Bears season.

That dramatic finish -- a fourth-down, 1-yard TD plunge from Huskies running back Chris Polk as time expired on a 16-13 victory -- was the cornerstone of what is supposed to be a transformative season for Washington.

It was not greeted so warmly in Berkeley, where the Bears found themselves saddled with their first losing record in nine years under coach Jeff Tedford. Bears fans, suffice it to say, grumbled a bit, and the Bears themselves weren't exactly clicking their heels over the program's slide, either.

Tedford, however, is only willing to obliquely note that Cal might come to Seattle with an added chip on its collective shoulder.

"It was motivation through the whole offseason and the summer time, but this is a different team and they're a different team," Tedford said before adding. "It was odd how that game ended. It was somewhere we've never been before."

As if last year's game isn't enough of a poke in the eye, Cal adherents also might recall that the last time the Bears were inside Husky Stadium, they got bombed 42-1o, perhaps Jake Locker's career-best game.

These teams will come at each other with similarities: New starting QBs who have mostly exceeded expectations. And differences: Cal's defense ranks among the conference leaders; Washington's among the conference laggards.

As for Cal's Zach Maynard, this will be his SECOND -- not first, SECOND -- major road test. He mostly passed his first during an overtime win at Colorado, but Husky Stadium is notoriously tough on visiting foes, though it doesn't appear the house will be full.

"I think Zach is on track to become a very good player," Tedford said. "He has a lot of ability. He probably can use his legs better than any quarterback we've had here, so that is an added dimension to our offense."

While Maynard has been solid, sophomore Keith Price has been stellar for the Huskies. He leads the conference with 11 TD passes and ranks fourth in passing efficiency, ahead of some notables such as Arizona's Nick Foles and USC's Matt Barkley.

"He's playing phenomenal football for us right now," coach Steve Sarkisian said. "He's been lights out."

But Price will be playing against a tough Cal defense that has 11 sacks and ranks second in the conference in pass-efficiency defense.

Maynard will face a defense that ranks last in the conference in scoring (36.7 ppg) and 11th in total defense (452.0). Still, a review of the Huskies depth chart -- defensive tackle Alameda Ta'amu, defensive end Hau'oli Jamora, middle linebacker Cort Dennison, cornerback Desmond Trufant -- suggests this crew should be playing better.

Which is why much of the muttering in Seattle this week has been about well-compensated coordinator Nick Holt.

"I trust Nick Holt," Sarkisian said. "I believe in Nick Holt. I believe in our defensive staff. They are tremendous coaches. I've seen them coach for years. And we will get better."

How? Simple. Freaking stop dithering and go hit somebody.

"We're playing with some hesitation," Sarkisian said. "We're not letting loose and letting go. We're a little bit afraid to make a mistake."

The winner Saturday immediately announces itself as a top-half of the division team. And that is a necessary first step toward challenging Oregon and Stanford, who have finished one-two in the conference the previous two seasons.

The Norwegians have high hopes.

Welcome to the final preseason Pac-12 power rankings!

You can review the post-spring power rankings here. There is a good deal of movement. And a lot of different iterations -- including change at the very top -- were heavily considered.

This week's vote is based on one factor: If the Pac-12 had a tournament this week on a neutral field, how do you think things would finish. That means, for example, a team's schedule doesn't matter. But preseason camp momentum -- read: an absence of controversy or injuries -- does.

Going forward, the power rankings will be far more focused on that immediate present reality: How did teams handle their business that past weekend? It won't necessarily be a projection of finish.

And, for those new to the power rankings, the motto here is simple: If you don't like where you are in the power rankings, play better.

1. Oregon: Based on what we typed above, one might think the Ducks would fall behind Stanford. And our thought process in early August was exactly that -- see here -- as our top-25 poll included other factors, such as schedule, such as Stanford playing host to Oregon this season. But here's the deal: Oregon is the top bird until somebody shoots it out of the air.

2. Stanford: A lot of folks are questioning Stanford. The Pac-12 blog is, too. My question: Will Andrew Luck and the Cardinal win the national championship this season. My hunch? A strong maybe.

3. USC: If the Trojans were eligible for the postseason, the gap between them and Nos. 1 and 2 would be fairly small. As it is, the gap between USC and the top two spots is fairly gigantic.

4. Arizona State: The Pac-12 blog has been banging the Sun Devils' drum since late in the 2010 season. And if this team was getting ready to send out the depth chart it appeared to have last December -- just about everyone back -- I'd project it in the top-15. But with all the attrition -- injuries, players quitting, etc. -- it's hard to know who the Sun Devils will be.

5. Washington: The Huskies' big question was replacing quarterback Jake Locker. Ther second question was at linebacker. It seems more than a few folks are optimistic those questions will be adequately answered. There's a lot to like on this roster, particularly what looks to be a dramatically improved defense.

6. Utah: It's hard to project Utah because we've never seen them before in this environment. What we can say is the success of this season hangs on keeping quarterback Jordan Wynn's surgically repaired shoulder safe.

7. Arizona: Just when we were starting to think the Wildcats might be an underrated team, they lose their best cover corner -- Jonathan McKnight -- for the season to a knee injury. While Arizona State and Oregon State have had the worst injury luck of the offseason, the Wildcats aren't far behind.

8. UCLA: The Bruins feel like a sleeper. It almost seems as simple as this: If UCLA is merely adequate at quarterback, it will be a bowl team and a factor in the Pac-12 South.

9. California: See what we typed for UCLA, only in the North Division. Further, the Bears look like they are going to play a lot of their talented true and redshirt freshmen classes. That should at least be very interesting.

10. Colorado: Not unlike Utah, we don't really know what we're going to get with the Buffaloes. There was a big temptation to rank them higher -- this is an experienced team with more talent than many old school Pac-10 folks think. But how could we rank the Buffs ahead of Cal after what happened in Berkeley last season?

11. Oregon State: Beavers fans are erupting... no way! Yes way. On the list of injured or at least uncertain: receiver James Rodgers, tight end Joe Halahuni, cornerback Brandon Hardin, defensive tackle Dominic Glover, defensive tackle Kevin Frahm and linebacker Cameron Collins. And many more, actually. The Beavers entered preseason practices with a lot of questions -- as coach Mike Riley repeatedly said -- they will head into the first week with perhaps more than they did at the beginning of August.

12. Washington State: There was some thought of bouncing the Cougars out of the basement. They, unlike a number of teams, have stayed relatively healthy during camp, and just about every report coming out of Pullman is colored with optimism. But the same rule that applies to Oregon in a positive way applies to the Cougars in a negative one: You're here until you prove otherwise.

No conference starts out the 2011 season as well-positioned to produce a Heisman Trophy finalist as the Pac-12, considering the conference produced two in 2010.

Here's a look at the candidates, from front-runners to dark horses.

The front-runners

Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford: The 2010 runner-up to Auburn's Cam Newton -- Wow, talk about a contrast in character studies -- Luck is the decided front-runner heading into the season. He ranked third in the nation in passing efficiency last fall, passing for 3,338 yards with 32 touchdowns and eight interceptions, completing 70.7 percent of his passes. He also rushed for 453 yards and three scores. Stanford finished with a 12-1 record and a dominant Orange Bowl win against Virginia Tech, in which Luck threw four touchdown passes and earned MVP honors. He would have been the No. 1 overall NFL draft choice in the spring. He will be the No. 1 overall NFL draft choice next spring. The biggest cautionary tale to his Heisman campaign: Peyton Manning.

LaMichael James, RB, Oregon: James, a Heisman finalist last season, led the nation with 1,731 yards rushing-- 144.25 yards per game -- and ranked second with 21 rushing touchdowns. He averaged 5.9 yards per carry. He also caught 17 passes for 208 yards and three touchdowns. He was Oregon’s first unanimous All-American and he won the Doak Walker Award as the nation's best running back. He's set Ducks freshman and sophomore records for rushing.

Not to get caught up in that "college" part of college football or anything but James was first-team All-Pac-10 and Luck was second-team -- All-Academic.

The contenders

Chris Polk, RB, Washington: Polk ranked second in the Pac-10 with 1,415 yards rushing -- his 108.9 yards per game ranked 13th in the nation -- and he scored nine touchdowns. He also caught 22 passes for 180 yards. He also closed the season strong during the Huskies' four-game winning streak to end the season, rushing for 138 yards against UCLA, 86 yards at California -- including the winning fourth-and-1 plunge on the game's final play -- and 284 yards at Washington State, the second-best rushing total in school history. Then, in the Holiday Bowl against a good Nebraska defense, he rushed for 177 yards on a career-high 34 carries and was named the offensive MVP. The rising junior's second-consecutive 1,000-yard season pushed him to No. 6 on the Huskies all-time rushing list with 2,561 yards. And with quarterback Jake Locker gone, Polk won't have to share the spotlight.

Darron Thomas, QB, Oregon: What if Oregon, with a rebuilt offensive line, ends up passing more in 2011? Thomas, a sophomore, first-year starter, completed 61.5 percent of his throws for 2,881 yards with 30 touchdowns. He also rushed for 486 yards and five scores. He ranked second in the Pac-10 and 17th in the nation in passing efficiency. He threw for 363 yards and two touchdowns in the national championship game.

Matt Barkley, QB, USC: Barkley is a big-time talent playing on a high-profile team that has done well in the past when it comes to the Heisman. He ranked 31st in the nation and third in the Pac-10 in passing efficiency in 2010. He completed 62.6 percent of his passes for 2,791 yards, with 26 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He's got an outstanding crew of young receivers who might help him put up big numbers.

The dark horses

Nick Foles, QB, Arizona: Foles led the Pac-10 with 290 yards passing per game. He ranked fourth in passing efficiency -- 34th in the nation -- completing 67 percent of his passes with with 20 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. With one of the best crews of receivers in the nation, he figures to be throwing a lot in 2011. If the Wildcats win early -- see a rugged early schedule against ranked teams -- he could start to generate some buzz.

Robert Woods, WR, USC: Heisman winners often come from surprising places. But not too surprising. As a true freshman, Woods caught a team-high 65 passes for 792 yards with six touchdowns. He also averaged 25.6 yards on 38 kick returns, with a 97-yard touchdown. What if he -- instead of Barkley -- becomes the captivating star of a resurgent USC team?

Typically, every preseason features a handful of quarterback competitions, even if we sort of feel like we know who will ultimately emerge.

Last fall, there was uncertainty at Arizona State, Colorado and Oregon.

At the end of the 2010 season, it looked like there would be plenty of ongoing quarterback intrigue. Arizona State was expected to feature another showdown with Steven Threet and Brock Osweiler. California was completely wide open with the departure of Kevin Riley. There was a new coach at Colorado, Jon Embree, who said every job was open. UCLA clearly had no clear No. 1. Washington had to replace Jake Locker.

But most of the mysteries were solved by the end of spring practices.

Threet was forced to retire because of multiple concussions, thereby handing the job to Osweiler. Cal coach Jeff Tedford surprised a few folks when he announced Zach Maynard had eclipsed Allan Bridgford and Brock Mansion. It was clear throughout spring drills that Tyler Hansen was the Buffaloes' best option. And Steve Sarkisian tapped Keith Price over Nick Montana before the spring game.

If you're looking for a potential source for making quarterback decisions before preseason camp, consider former USC coach Pete Carroll. He believed in "anointing" a starter after spring practices because he believed it helped them become leaders over the summer -- see Matt Leinart, John David Booty and Mark Sanchez. Notably, Sarkisian chatted with Carroll before tapping Price.

While coaches will still talk about competition, and it wouldn't be wise for any of these guys to take their job for granted, the only team with remaining uncertainty behind center is UCLA, and even then most would project a healthy Kevin Prince -- the incumbent starter who suffered a season-ending knee injury that also knocked him out of spring practice -- is the likely choice.

Still, let's look at where the Bruins' competition stands.

The candidates:

Kevin Prince: While Prince's passing numbers were horrid in his five 2010 games before getting hurt, he showed in 2009 that he can be a capable passer. And last fall, he showed he could do a pretty good job running a pistol offense. But Prince had suffered myriad injuries even before he hurt his knee last fall, and while he enters the preseason reportedly at 100 percent, keeping him healthy is the critical element for him to become a reliable starter. Recall that the Bruins' ragged start on offense in 2010 could be attributed to Prince not practicing until the week before the season opener -- an embarrassing loss to a Kansas State team the Bruins pushed around the previous season. So it's fair to expect less running -- or at least more running out of bounds -- for Prince. He will be given every opportunity to win the job.

Richard Brehaut: There's no other way to say it: While Brehaut didn't play terribly well after replacing Prince, his passing numbers were better than what Prince did in 2010. That fact has engendered some not unreasonable sentiments that coach Rick Neuheisel has some sort of issue with Brehaut, a summary of which is provided here by Adam Maya (by the way, former offensive coordinator Norm Chow doggedly believed Prince was a better option than Brehaut). While Neuheisel said it was "nothing personal," it is fairly clear that Neuheisel questions Brehaut's complete commitment, which is reflected in Brehaut's apparently incomplete absorption of the offense. Further, knowing Neuheisel and how he works with quarterbacks, I can tell you that those little tirades he seems to have with his quarterbacks after a bad play mostly amounts to Neuheisel asking the quarterback to explain what he was thinking. And if the player doesn't have an answer, it drives Neuheisel crazy. A bad explanation -- "I didn't see the safety cheating over" -- is way, way better than "I don't know."

Brett Hundley: Hundley is the hotshot incoming freshman -- one of the nation's top dual-threat prep quarterbacks during the 2010-11 recruiting season -- whom many fans have been making googly-eyes at. But it ain't easy going from high school quarterback to college quarterback, and it was clear during spring practices that Hundley had a ways to go (though he also had some "wow" moments, too). Hundley was a bit of a long shot in any event, but after he had surgery to repair a torn meniscus and will be out most of camp, his chances of redshirting are now higher than of him winning the starting job. Still, if he comes back strong, he could earn playing time. And if the situation gets desperate, Neuheisel, under pressure to win now, might roll the dice with a true freshman.

Nick Crissman and Darius Bell: These are the two long shots. Crissman's career has been riddled by shoulder injuries, but he had a fairly good spring and he's got some skills. Bell, a JC transfer, is a far better runner than passer. Many Bruins fans probably recall his regrettable debut in relief of Brehaut during a loss at Washington: 0-for-3 with an interception and a tongue-lashing from Neuheisel.

The first official football gathering of the new Pac-12 -- media day -- will be held on July 26 in Los Angeles. It will feature all 12 coaches, and each team brings along a star player.

Hmm. I wonder what reporters will ask Oregon coach Chip Kelly about?

I don't wonder what his answers will be: Some form of "no comment," though the exact phrasing might include some chippy Chipperism that we've all grown to love.

But even with those no comments, there will be plenty to talk about -- with Kelly and all the other coaches.

Do you have questions you want asked? Feel free to send them along. Or comment below.

Here a list of who will be there and what we're interested in asking.

Arizona
Quarterback Nick Foles and coach Mike Stoops

Top questions: While the rebuilding of both lines is a prime issue, Wildcats fans will want an update on receiver Juron Criner's health from Mike Stoops. And they will want to know about 2010's late-season slide.

Arizona State
Quarterback Brock Osweiler and coach Dennis Erickson

Top questions: Are the Sun Devils ready to play as the favorites in the Pac-12 South? And is there any chance cornerback Omar Bolden plays this fall?

California
Receiver Marvin Jones and coach Jeff Tedford

Top questions: Is Zach Maynard the man to restore Tedford's reputation as a developer of QBs? How does Tedford feel about growing fan discontent?

Colorado
Quarterback Tyler Hansen and coach Jon Embree

Top questions: Does it feel different heading into the season as a member of the Pac-12 instead of the Big 12? What went wrong under Dan Hawkins that's going to go right under Embree?

Oregon
Tight end David Paulson and coach Chip Kelly

Top questions: Er, any comment on Willie Lyles? What about those rebuilt offensive and defensive lines? What's up with suspended cornerback Cliff Harris and linebacker Kiko Alonso?

Oregon State
Safety Lance Mitchell and coach Mike Riley

Top questions: What went wrong last year? How's James Rodgers knee doing? And about those lines...

Stanford
Quarterback Andrew Luck and coach David Shaw

Top questions: Does it feel different to be a frontrunner rather than a darkhorse? What's going to be different under Shaw compared to Jim Harbaugh? What about holes at receiver and on both lines?

UCLA
Running back Johnathan Franklin and coach Rick Neuheisel

Top questions: Is this a win or else season for Neuheisel? What's going to happen at quarterback? What's the status of O-lineman Jeff Baca (broken ankle)?

USC
Quarterback Matt Barkley and coach Lane Kiffin

Top questions: What's the approach with no postseason as a motivation? Injury update, please! What about the depth on the O-line and LB? And is Armond Armstead going to play in 2011?

Utah
Offensive tackle Tony Bergstrom and coach Kyle Whittingham

Top questions: Do the Utes think they will become an immediate contender in the Pac-12 South race? Is quarterback Jordan Wynn 100 percent and back to his old self after shoulder surgery?

Washington
Running back Chris Polk and coach Steve Sarkisian

Top questions: What's the offense going to look like post-Jake Locker? What's the pecking order at linebacker? What does the bowl victory mean about the state of the program?

Washington State
Receiver Jared Karstetter and coach Paul Wulff

Top questions: Is this a win or else season for Wulff? Will the defense improve enough to support what should be a good offense? How good can quarterback Jeff Tuel be?

KC Joyner considered which teams he believes have a good shot at regressing in 2011, and he includes one Pac-12 team among his five candidates: Washington.

Not sure if we agree, but his general theme did get us to thinking, which is often dangerous.

At least one of the five Pac-10 teams that posted a winning record in 2010 likely will conclude its first season of Pac-12 play with disappointment. In other words, it will regress.

But who? No really, we're asking you.

The candidates.

Oregon: There's only one way Oregon can progress: Win the national title. So, if the Ducks end up winning the first Pac-12 championship and then the Rose Bowl, is that a regression? No. To be fair, a Ducks regression would have to include failing to win a third consecutive conference title, as they are favored to do. How have things changed in Eugene? A 9-3 finish would be considered a major disappointment.

Stanford: Not unlike Oregon, Stanford doesn't have a lot of options for a progression after a 12-1 finish that was capped by a dominant victory over Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl. Progress would either be a Rose Bowl or a national championship. So what is regression? Much like Oregon, times have changed in Palo Alto, particularly with Andrew Luck still in town. Stanford fans likely would be disappointed with any more than two defeats. That's not an easy situation for new coach David Shaw to inherit.

USC: The issue with USC is different than Oregon and Stanford. In 2010, the Trojans were up and down, which wasn't unexpected seeing they were playing with the knowledge there would be no postseason prize in year one under Lane Kiffin. How did an 8-5 finish fit within the Trojans typically over-sized expectations and their atypically challenging circumstances? Maybe a notch below where it should have been. Heading into 2011, the question seems to be whether USC spirals or if it fights back on a weekly basis. There figure to be at least one or two games when they don't show up with their best -- and one or two in which their best might not be good enough anyway -- but will there be four or five? Regression seems to start at another five-loss season, though this time with 12 regular season games.

Washington: For the Huskies, a program still trying to reclaim its past luster, regression is fairly simple: A losing, bowl-less season. With quarterback Jake Locker gone, and being just three years removed from a winless season, another 7-6 finish couldn't really be termed a regression, though Huskies fans would be irritated with a lack of progress.

Arizona: The Wildcats will be tested early. Perhaps as much as any team in the nation with games against Oklahoma State, Stanford, Oregon and USC on four consecutive weeks from Sept. 8 through Oct. 1. Last fall, they started fast and then folded, though that fold could be explained, at least in part, by a considerable increase in schedule difficulty. This fall, it's the opposite. If the Wildcats hold together against a rugged early slate -- and maybe steal a win or two -- the second half of the season sets up nicely. Another seven-win regular season couldn't be termed a disappointment. The key indicator of progress, however, would be a bowl victory. Regression would be no bowl at all.

1. Which offense has the best rusher-receiver combination in the nation? I’ll take South Carolina sophomore tailback Marcus Lattimore and junior wideout Alshon Jeffery. Lattimore, despite being a freshman, withstood physical SEC defenses to rush for 1,197 yards and 17 touchdowns. Jeffery’s imposing size (6-4, 233) and sticky hands got him 88 catches for 1,517 yards and nine scores.

2. Runners-up: Washington tailback Chris Polk’s (1,415 yards, nine touchdowns) emergence as an every-down back in the second half of last season boosted the Huskies to their season-ending four-game winning streak. Polk’s work in the middle of the field got defenses to stop cracking down on junior wideout Jermaine Kearse (63 catches, 1,005 yards, 12 scores). Together, they makes defenses work.

3. The other quality that the Gamecocks and Huskies share is a question at quarterback. South Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier cracked open the door this month for the return of troubled, suspended senior Stephen Garcia. Behind him is sophomore Connor Shaw. Washington sophomore Keith Price, who won the starting job this spring to replace the beloved Jake Locker, has one career start. If either team can get its quarterback position gels -- or even just stay out of the way -- these offenses will flourish.

Every team has hope heading into the offseason. And every team has concerns.

Ergo, we're going to run through the conference and look at the chief matters -- on the up and downside -- for each Pac-12 team.

Next up:

Washington

Biggest reason for hope: Chris Polk + an improved defense.

Washington flashed signs of becoming a physical football team in 2010, which means the Huskies looked -- again, at times -- like the program that became a national power under Don James. What does "physical" mean? It means you run the ball on offense and push folks around on defense. It's what old school UW fans want to see, and more than a few probably got teary-eyed during the Holiday Bowl when the Huskies pounded on Nebraska in a 19-7 victory, a shocking result considering what the Cornhuskers had done to the Huskies just under three months before. It also became clear late in the season that Polk is on the short list of best running backs in the nation, and that the Huskies are this close to developing a defensive culture that matches fiery coordinator Nick Holt. There are questions at linebacker heading into the 2011 season, but tackle Alameda Ta'amu and end Hau'oli Jamora lead an A-list crew on the D-line, and there's a solid mixture of experience and young talent in the secondary. The defense should be a top-half of the conference unit. While the offensive line will fall short of dominant, Polk is one of those backs who often can do it on his own. He almost never goes down on first contact.

Biggest reason for concern: Will quarterback Keith Price be valuable or cost the Huskies?

Price asserted himself this spring in his competition with Nick Montana to replace Jake Locker. He flashed dual-threat ability that suggested he might become an offensive asset, not a liability as a first-year starter. We've already mentioned Polk, but the Huskies also are deep at receiver. If Price presents a consistent passing threat -- in other words, he's more than a game manager -- then the offense should be pretty darn potent. And there's reason to be optimistic beyond Price's spring performance. He turned in an admirable effort last fall starting for an injured Locker at Oregon -- not exactly the best place for a UW QB to make his first career start. Put it this way: While the Huskies don't look like a threat to win the North or even to win 10 games, if Price ends up ranking in the top half of the conference in passing efficiency, it's a good bet that the program will take another significant step forward in 2011.

Just like a team almost every year is a pleasant surprise, another is an unpleasant one: It falls dramatically short of expectations.

Think of Arizona State in 2008, which tumbled from nationally ranked to 5-7. Or California in 2009, which looked like a national title contender early in the season but ended up 8-5.

Of course, there are plenty of ways to be disappointing.

Oregon and Stanford are expected to be top-10 teams, ones that could get into the national title hunt. If one or the other ends up with three or four losses, well that's a big disappointment.

Arizona State is expected to break through in the South Division this season, which coach Dennis Erickson might need in order to keep his job. Three or four losses wouldn't be a disaster, but mediocrity or worse might feel that way for hopeful Sun Devils fans.

Utah also could disappoint, and not just its fans. The Utes in some ways carry the non-AQ flag into an AQ conference. If they immediately compete for the South Division title, then most will see that as validation for the non-AQs. And if they lose six or seven games, it will have the opposite effect. Further, Utes fans are used to winning. It will be a hard fall if their team gets pushed around.

Washington does not face stratospheric expectations, but its fans are hopeful that the program is going in the right direction under Steve Sarkisian, which is in reverse of the horrible and surprisingly prolonged tumble the Huskies took after going to the Rose Bowl following the 2000 season. If the Huskies crater after the departure of QB Jake Locker, then folks in Seattle will be a bit unhappy.

So what's your take?

The reality of college football is that all players eventually leave and the best players often leave sooner -- for the NFL draft -- than fans and coaches would want.

So while many view a count of returning starters as a great measure of what things might look like in the future, filling voids is really what spring practices are all about.

Many key conference players are off to the NFL. But which leaves behind the biggest hole?

For four years, Jake Locker was the face of Washington. While his numbers weren't good in 2010, he was the Huskies unquestioned leader, not to mention being good enough to go eighth overall in the NFL draft.

Just like Locker, Jacquizz Rodgers was the face of Oregon State, starting with his thrilling debut in the 2008 upset of USC. Speaking of difficult to replace, what about one player who was two players? That was Stanford's Owen Marecic in 2010, who was the Cardinal's starting fullback and linebacker.

Oregon is replacing three starters on its defensive line, but none was as productive over the past two seasons as end Kenny Rowe, who produced 20 sacks and 31.5 tackles for a loss over the past two seasons.