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To the notes.

Addicted to Quack from Eugene, Ore., writes: Mr. Ted Bundy, don't you think it's time to write a (rather lengthy) column on how much better LaMichael James is than Jacquizz "Not a Heisman trophy Candidate" Rodgers. There is no possible way, like you did all last year and preseason, that you could still defend your stance that Jacquizz is a better player. Right?

Ted Miller: If I were ranking the top-25 players in the Pac-10 today, yes, I'd rank James No. 1 in the Pac-10. I'd probably put Rodgers No. 3 behind Andrew Luck.

James is having a statistically spectacular season for the nation's best offense. He's a leading Heisman Trophy candidate for a good reason. And he plays for the nation's No. 1 team.

Last year, however, he was mostly a fast guy who did a good job of running fast through huge holes (that's a paraphrase of an opposing coach, by the way, who liked James but said that when I asked him to compare James and Rodgers). This year, James has shown better instincts, less stutter-step and a more physical style -- he probably broke more tackles against Tennessee, Stanford, UCLA and USC than he did all of last year.

His numbers are better than Rodgers' numbers, no doubt.

But, first, give me an honest answer to a couple of questions: 1. How would you rate Oregon's offensive line compared to Oregon State's? 2. How would you rate James' supporting cast compared to Rodgers'?

Further, name the Oregon running backs who didn't thrive in Chip Kelly's spread-option system? Jeremiah Johnson averaged 7.1 yards per carry in 2008. That's what James is averaging right now.

Then there's the HUGE difference in competition level each has faced thus far: Rodgers, in seven games, has faced six run defenses ranked in the nation's top-53, including No. 2 Boise State, No. 6 Arizona, No. 9 TCU and No. 15 Arizona State.

James had 94 yards at Arizona State, the only team to hold him under 100 yards. Rodgers rushed for 145 yards against the Sun Devils.

The Sun Devils are the only top-25 run defense James has faced. He's played against No. 40 Stanford, No. 59 USC, No. 83 Tennessee, No. 108 UCLA and No. 119 Washington State. And an FCS school, Portland State.

Just saying.

Rodgers had a fairly mediocre game -- numbers-wise -- at Arizona, a game I covered: 83 yards and a TD on 25 carries. I'd estimate about half came after contact. What I remember is thinking: The dude does it all on his own. And he is a really, really good running back -- cutting and twisting and driving for every yard. He also caught three passes for 41 yards and did an outstanding job blocking for QB Ryan Katz, who had a huge day.

In fact, if we sitting in a room with all 10 Pac-10 coaches -- and some NFL scouts -- there would be number who would prefer Rodgers. Not a majority mind you. But some. (Yes, to be honest, I'd tap James for my team. He's. Just. So. Explosive!).

Rodgers is still a better receiver, though that aspect of his game has been curiously underused this year. And he's a better blocker. James, by the way, has improved in both areas, in large part because he's in his second year as a starter and maturing as a player.

You may have read what UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel said about Rodgers this week: “He’s the perfect running back from the standpoint that he’s a great weapon out of the backfield as a pass catcher. He’s a great pass protector … He's elusive as a running back, with the great vision in the zone schemes that they run … He's also very powerful and very difficult to bring down. And he's durable. I don’t know that he's even had a fumble this year [he hasn't]. It’s hard to find any flaw with Jacquizz Rodgers.”

So, as great as James has been this year, don't think he's left Rodgers in the dust, as he has most defenses. Educated, neutral observers don't share that take.

Something James and Rodgers do share: Both are superstars who are team-first guys. Both are humble and understated. Both represent their teams well. And both seem to have no interest in this debate.

At the beginning of the year, Rodgers was 1A and James 1B. Their spots, in my mind, are now reversed.

But Rodgers is still a really, really good back.

So there's your rather lengthy column. Hope you liked it.

Josh from Salt Lake City writes: If Oregon wins out and plays in the NC game against a 1 loss SEC team, Utah and Boise also win out, would the rose bowl prefer to take the Utes as their non-AQ school with the obvious PAC-10/PAC-12 tie ins?

Ted Miller: Interesting question. But it has an uninteresting answer.

From the BCS bowl selection procedure page that I, it seems, review once a day: "If two or more teams from those [non-AQ conferences] satisfy the provisions for an automatic berth, then the team with the highest finish in the final BCS Standings will receive the automatic berth, and the remaining team or teams will be considered for at-large selection if it meets the criteria."

So unless Utah jumps Boise State in the BCS standings, then the Rose Bowl would tap Boise State in your national championship game scenario.

Jarrod from Happy Valley, Ore., writes: Do you think LaMichael James really has a chance to win Heisman? I mean I know he is good and all, but since the west coast doesn't get much respect do you think that if Oregon wins the National Championship that James will win the Heisman trophy?

Ted Miller: Yes. And his chances might be better today than they were yesterday, because Auburn QB Can Newton is part of an investigation that isn't about how good he is on the field. (Cue Perry Mason music).

The West Coast, by the way, does fine in the Heisman Trophy -- see Carson Palmer, Matt Leinart, Reggie Bush, who all won, and Toby Gerhart finished second in 2009.

And the award is given out before the national title game, though voters will know if the James and the Ducks will play in the title game.

Ric from Seattle writes: Ah C'mon Ted, you should've linked the Bud Withers piece in the Times. For those of us long-suffering Duck fans, it tells the real story of the unbreakable bond between the Ducks and their fans. Unless you've sat thru a 0-0 tie in a rivalry game, you really can't appreciate how far this program has come, nor what true fan love really is.

Ted Miller: OK, here you go.

Withers is always a good read, whether you're a Ducks fan or not.

Kevin from Pullman writes: Did you ever make a top restaurant list for WSU? I know that was a long time ago but I swear I never saw one.

Ted Miller: Well, Kevin, you are just not obsessive enough of a Pac-10 blog patron!

Here's the Cougars list -- a good one, I might add.

And here's a handy link for all of the lists.

Wonder where I will end up Friday night?

Wanted to post the mailbag on Friday from the home offices in Bristol, Conn., but ACC blogger Heather Dinich told me you guys had already started your weekend early and would be unavailable until Monday.

To the notes.

Cam from Albany, Ore., writes: Preseason All American, Dark horse Heisman hype, Pac Ten awards, national media attention: Jacquizz Rodgers has all of these things. What he does not have, with two attempts, is a season as good as LaMichael James had last year. Quizz leads LaMichael only in rushing touchdowns in a year, and Oregon scored on the ground with no less then six different people last season. Long runs, average, yards/game: In all of these categories James is measurably above Rogers. OSU fans will claim Quizz means more to his team then does LaMichael, and they are right. But since when did lack of depth make a player better? And wasn't Quizz flat shut down against both Oregon and Cal last year? Why no love for LaMichael?

Ted Miller: LaMichael James is an outstanding back. He could become an All-American candidate. Heck, even a Heisman Trophy candidate.

But you lost me when you asserted that James had a better season that Jacquizz Rodgers. Cam, you get a frowny face.

James rushed for 1,546 yards last year. Rodgers, 1,440. James averaged 6.7 yards per carry and Rodgers 5.3. Ergo, you write, James had a better season.

You leave out this: Rodgers scored 22 touchdowns (one receiving), James 14. Now to me, TDs are important in football. I realize there is a camp where they are not so important -- the 2008 Washington squad apparently found them burdensome -- but I am not a member of that camp.

You, fairly, note that "Oregon scored on the ground with no less then six different people [seven actually] last season" as a reason for James scoring fewer TDs. In fact, four Ducks had at least three rushing TDs. No other Beaver had more than two.

So ... everybody knew Rodgers was coming and he still found the end zone. James? Quarterback Jeremiah Masoli was just as much of a threat, see 13 rushing touchdowns. A defense didn't know what to expect from Chip Kelly's fancypants offense that in 2008 had Jeremiah Johnson averaging 7.2 yards per carry -- and LeGarrette Blount 7.3. Heck, a converted cornerback, Kenjon Barner, averaged 6.0 per carry as James' backup last fall.

Has any Oregon tailback not been successful under Kelly?

But let's just say that a comparison of Rodgers and James as running backs is close (which it is). Rodgers résumé also includes this: He was one of the best receivers in the conference last year, catching 78 passes for 522 yards. James caught 17 for 168.

Now, I've begun to suspect that Oregon State fans are secretly asking me this question -- it seems to come up every mailbag -- because they know my position (you know, the correct one). There is no argument here: Rodgers is the Pac-10's best running back based on what he has done thus far.

Projecting forward? Ah, that is why we play the season!

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Brandon from New York writes: Why is everyone bullish about Stanford? I consistently see them on the fringe of top 25 lists and i am confused how a team that barely scratched the top 25 last year with the best player in the country is generally assumed to be BETTER after losing said superhuman. I wasn't aware they had a tremendous defense, and Stanford is no Ohio St or Va Tech when it comes to winning with special teams. Luck may be great, but seems like he's set up to disappoint without the support of some other QBs in the Pac (Locker, Foles, anyone not under arrest at UO)

Ted Miller: First of all, if Andrew Luck has played in the Sun Bowl, Stanford would have beaten Oklahoma and ended up 9-4 and ranked in the final Top 25, which would have paved the way for even more 2010 Cardinal bullishness.

Toby Gerhart is a big loss, no doubt, and that's a legitimate reason to question just how good Luck will be in 2010. Still, he's a major talent and a future first-round NFL draft pick. Moreover, he's got seven other returning starters around him, including four of five offensive linemen and all of his main receivers.

Luck is where most of the Stanford hype starts, but there's also intriguing up-and-coming talent on the Cardinal that should break through in 2010, particularly on the defensive front-seven, such as sophomore linebacker Shayne Skov, junior end Thomas Keiser and sophomore end Chase Thomas. The biggest question is the secondary, but word out of spring drills is that crew looked much-improved.

Stanford is a program with momentum. Folks are impressed with the coaching and recruiting of Jim Harbaugh, and last season felt more like the start of an upward trend than a flash in the pan.

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Kevin from San Francisco writes: I see the 2010 Cal Bears being the most boring 8-4 team in the country. Kevin Riley will (finally) settle in and become the mediocre QB that he was meant to be. I love Shane Vereen and see him rushing for 1500+ yards but I just don't see No. 34 stealing the hearts of media pundits. Do you agree? I'm already looking forward to the 2011 season when our stellar recruiting class has matured into super soph's.

Ted Miller: 8-4 sounds like a pretty good record for Cal in 2010, so I guess I agree.

If Vereen rushes for 1,500 yards, however, it's a good bet that he'll steal at least a few media pundits hearts. And I'm not so sure that Riley won't be better than mediocre in 2010. After all he's been -- suffered -- through, it would be nice for him to walk away from his senior season hearing a few cheers from Cal fans.

Though, after reading your letter, it appears Cal fans may need a pick-me-up -- or Prozac.

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Jay from Seattle writes: Just saw [Washington president] Mark Emmert drive by me in Madison Park behind the wheel of a brand new Lamborghini Murciélago. Does the NCAA pay that well and what happened to his Prius?

Ted Miller: Jay, I'm glad you wrote. Emmert told me he was going to "borrow" my car. That was May 12!

Yes, the NCAA pays well, Emmert's predecessor, the late Miles Brand, made $1.72 million, according to 2008 tax records. And Emmert was doing OK already, making more than $900,000 a year at Washington.

[Note: A school spokesman has confirmed that the Lamborghini doesn't belong to Emmert, though the school has a relationship with the manufacturer, which you can read about here .]

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Barrett from La Grande, Ore., writes: I'm the S.I.D. at Eastern Oregon University and thought I'd pass along a story from our Spring Game. 21-year-old Dylan Steigers passed away after a hit in the game. Not sure if you could share any info on something like this, just being a West Coast guy I thought I'd try. There is also a foundation in his name beginning and for his two-year-old daughter.

Ted Miller: A terrible story. Frightening and sad.

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Raymond from Tucson writes: Joyless ride: Oregon State trio sentenced to community service -- I think they should clean the bathrooms after each OSU home game including the visitors locker room. This might be harder than making trips to a retirement community and driving golfers in carts or serving on the food line at the local Salvation Army.

Ted Miller: Not a bad idea. We obviously should keep them away from golf carts.

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Al from Pasadena, Calif., writes: A guy that sits next to me at the office is originally from Atlanta and transplanted to the West Coast. Although a diehard Georgia fan, he has become a Pac-10 football believer over the years. SEC fans are quick to discount the Pac-10 as a "wine & cheese conference." I know this because I lived in the South for 4 years. Being a native of Atlanta yourself, why can't the rest of your SEC brethren look at things objectively?

Ted Miller: I know that guy!

SEC fans? What makes SEC fans so great is their lack of perspective. As for the "wine & cheese" belief: That's just trash talk. SEC fans don't really believe that. At least, not the smart ones.

Posted by ESPN.com's Ted Miller

Media guides aren't typically known for understatement. More often than not, the descriptive blurb fancies up a player, telling a reader that some guy you've never heard of is among the best at his position. Or that he was ranked in this super-fantastic way by some recruiting analyst.

Under LaMichael James' pleasantly grinning photo, however, is this: "Should figure in the mix at running back at some point in 2009."

	Steve Dykes/Getty Images
	LaMichael James put up 183 rushing yards against USC.

Ha! You think?

The Oregon redshirt freshman running back started figuring in the offensive mix fairly quickly, in no small part because starting running back LeGarrette Blount went all Mike Tyson at Boise State.

Playing Robin to Blount's Batman at Boise, he rushed for 22 yards on just two carries. After Blount was suspended, he got 56 against Purdue. What a nice little, 5-foot-9, 180-pound back he was.

Then, boom! 152, 118, 81, 152, 154 and 183.

That 183, of course, came at the expense of the previously impenetrable USC run defense in the Ducks 47-20 throttling of the mighty Trojans. It was his "Hello, world" moment, his stentorian Halloween "Boo!" to the rest of the Pac-10.

Suffice it to say that James, who ranks 15th in the country with 114.75 yards rushing per game while averaging 7.0 yards per carry, is fitting into the mix.

Naturally, Oregon coach Chip Kelly alights on the scary part.

"Each week he keeps getting better and better and he hasn't stopped," Kelly said. "He's a freshman. I don't think you've seen his best yet."

Which means Stanford, which plays host to the Ducks on Saturday, might see a back who's even better than the one who sliced and diced the Trojans like a teppan-yaki chef at a Japanese steakhouse.

Of course, the Ducks' spread-option, which piled up 613 yards against USC and ranks ninth in the nation in scoring (35.6 points per game), isn't all about James.

"He's very, very, very talented," Cardinal coach Jim Harbaugh said. "This team is red-hot. The execution was at the highest level that I've seen anybody run the spread-option -- the speed in which they do it."

James hails from Texarkana, Texas. The Pac-10 blog has never been there, but it's reasonable to imagine that Eugene is probably a bit different than James' hometown. There's the weather, of course. Belt buckles are probably a bit larger in Texarkana, and the hair a bit longer in Eugene. And then there are the Texarkana football fans who gave James a quizzical look when he announced he was going to play for the Ducks.

James picked Oregon over TCU, Minnesota and Oklahoma State in large part for the pure adventure of going someplace exotic.

"I just wanted to be different," he said. "I like the challenge. If someone tells me I can't do something, I feel like I need to prove it. I want to be the person who went to Oregon and made it."

He's certainly doing that.

James generated a good deal of positive buzz during his redshirt year, but the Ducks felt no need to play him with Jeremiah Johnson and LeGarrette Blount leading the nation's No. 2 rushing attack.

Entering 2009, James was projected as the "lightning" backup to the thunderous, 240-pound Blount in the "Oh Le-La!" backfield, but things -- you may have heard -- changed fairly quickly when Blount melted down at Boise State.

Now Blount is, apparently, about to return from his suspension. That could mean Blount will take carries away from James.

"I don't care about the carries," James said. "As long as we win the game, I'm very happy."

That might sound like potentially empty talk, but James said Blount is "like a brother" to him. He pointed out that they ran post-practice gassers together this week in anticipation of Blount's return. He said Blount has received a bum rap nationally based on one horrible incident.

"LeGarrette is not that type of person. He's a great person," James said.

James almost certainly will remain the No. 1 option whenever Blount returns. He's gone from "in the mix" to being the main course.

Kelly said he thought James had a chance to be special. Just not this special, this quickly.

"I thought he was going to be a really good player," Kelly said. "Did I think he was going to run for 180-something against USC? No."

Posted by ESPN.com's Ted Miller

Oregon Ducks 2008 overall record: 10-3 2008 conference record: 7-2 Returning starters Offense 5, defense 5, kicker/punter 0 Top returners QB Jeremiah Masoli, RB LeGarrette Blount, TE Ed Dickson, CB Walter Thurmond III, DE Will Tukuafu, FS T.J. Ward Key losses C Max Unger, LT Fenuki Tupou, RB Jeremiah Johnson, WR Terence Scott, DE Nick Reed, CB Jairus Byrd, ROV Patrick Chung, DT Ra'Shone Harris 2008 statistical leaders (* returners) Rushing: Jeremiah Johnson (1,201) Passing: Jeremiah Masoli* (1,744) Receiving: Terence Scott (751) Tackles: T.J. Ward* (101) Sacks: Nick Reed (13) Interceptions: Walter Thurmond*, Jairus Byrd (5) Spring answers 2009 Schedule Sep. 3 at Boise State Sep. 12 Purdue Sep. 19 Utah Sep. 26 California Oct. 3 Washington State Oct. 10 at UCLA Oct. 24 at Washington Oct. 31 USC Nov. 7 at Stanford Nov. 14 Arizona State Nov. 21 at Arizona Dec. 3 Oregon State 1. Passing the test: The Ducks passing game was only OK last year -- ranking fifth in the Pac-10 -- and with two of the top three receivers leaving, it was a question mark entering spring. It's less so now. Both quarterbacks Jeremiah Masoli and Justin Roper threw well, particularly in the spring game, while Jamere Holland led a receiving corps that appears capable and deep. No longer does it seem essential that JC transfer Tyrece Gaines and freshman Diante Jackson contribute from game one. 2. Linebacking up: Oregon's linebackers have been mostly mediocre in recent years, but this crew has a chance to tip the scales from middling to good. Casey Matthews, Spencer Paysinger and Eddie Pleasant give the Ducks a solid troika of experienced starters, with JC transfer Bryson Littlejohn, Dewitt Stuckey and Josh Kaddu providing depth. 3. DL hope: Oregon lost three starters from its 2008 defensive line, and projected 2009 starter Tonio Celotto quit football. All that raised eyebrows, but the D-line controlled the line of scrimmage throughout the spring. Will Tukuafu, the lone returning stater, tackles Brandon Bair, Blake Ferras and Simi Toeaina and end Kenny Rowe showed promise up front. The question, though, is whether much of their success was a function of the banged-up offensive line's struggles. Fall questions 1. O-line woes: With returning starters C.E. Kaiser and Bo Thran sitting out due to injuries, the offensive line was green and it looked the part during spring practices. Run and pass blocking were problems. Moreover, when the injured players return, there's still a question of who will be the fifth starter and whether there will be some reshuffling of positions in the fall. 2. Thurmond sidekick? Cornerback Walter Thurmond, who was banged up much of last year, was healthy during spring practices and he looked like the NFL prospect he is. But who will play opposite him and fill the void left by the early departure of Jairus Byrd to the NFL? Will it be Talmadge Jackson or Willie Glasper, who were both injured, or will someone else step up? 3. Nothing special: A lot is expected of incoming punter Jackson Rice and kicker Mike Bowlin, particularly after the inconsistency -- and downright awfulness (see the spring game) -- of the kicking and punting. If those guys aren't ready, special teams may be an adventure next fall, though it's worth noting the kicker Morgan Flint, who was mostly solid last year, may have just had an off couple of weeks.

Posted by ESPN.com's Ted Miller

Lumbergh's gonna have me come in on Saturday, I just know it.

• Former Michigan quarterback Steven Threet talks about his transfer to Arizona State.
• Here's why former Oregon running back Jeremiah Johnson wasn't drafted. By the way, did any of you think Johnson looked slow when he went 76 yards for a touchdown in the Holiday Bowl? Another day for the defense at Ducks spring practice.
• The Oregon State offensive line is a work in progress. It's good to have two good quarterbacks ... or is it?
• Check out highlights of Stanford's spring game.
• Who helped themselves this spring at USC?
• Washington State feels good about the foundation it built this spring. Thorough analysis of where the Cougars stand, position by position.
• Husky Stadium won't get funding for a much-needed renovation because of a "psychological disconnect," Washington AD Scott Woodward told the Seattle Times. And it appears that there's some bad blood between Washington and Washington State over the issue. Said Woodward:

"The most disappointing thing about it is that [WSU president] Elson Floyd and [WSU athletic director] Jim Sterk didn't do anything to try to contain that little group of Cougars that were out there doing that. It was a shame that they didn't show leadership or courage to curtail something like that."

Posted by ESPN.com's Ted Miller

Good afternoon. On the Pac-10 blog it's always happy hour.

To your notes!

Steve from Tucson writes: If the WSU vs. UW model works, do you think this will carry over to a potential ASU vs. UA @ University of Phoenix Stadium? My view is that there are enough U of A fans in the Phoenix area + Tucsonans willing to travel to carry the game. Students are tough to draw during the "traditional" thanksgiving weekend game so I don't think they would get ripped off very much by moving the game to Glendale (AZ).

Alex from Las Vegas writes: I think the rest of the Pac-10 should follow the Apple Cups lead and hold the big in-state rivalry on a neutral field. It would balance the number of home and away games for the conference season, neutral site games always have a great atmosphere and it would underscore the fact that the Pac-10 has the best rivalries in college football.

Ted Miller: Hmm. Is it possible I have become a stick-in-the-mud traditionalist?

I recoiled when I first read the proposal to move the Apple Cup to Qwest Field. Maybe the idea of not being able to go to the Coug and watch Chad Eaton flick beer on purple-clad Huskies fans any more made me sad.

Lots of folks agree with me. But lots of folks apparently disagree (see above).

My take is rivalry games are best when they are on-campus. Sure, Florida and Georgia and Oklahoma and Texas have great traditions with off-campus, neutral sites. But, to me, those are the exceptions.

But, as in many things, I could be in a minority.

What do you guys think? Would you want your rivalry game played in a neutral venue?

Such as: The Civil War in Portland or Arizona-Arizona State in University of Phoenix Stadium?

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Raymond from Tucson writes: It's never to early for your 2009 PAC-10 predictions for finishing 1-10. I'm sure you will provide each school breakdown but I think I am looking for a real gut check on USC this year from experts. I'm looking to find that someone who is willing to say "USC is a true champion but in 2009 it will take a Trojan Horse trick to repeat as PAC-10 Champions. I want to see somebody use more than just rubber stamping statements like; 1. USC will reload 2. USC are champions until they lose the title. 3. Its USC then the PAC-9... USC has to replace their best offensive weapon (the QB) and the majority of their defense. USC tuffest games are ALL ON THE ROAD. Are you going to be the ONE who has the strength and vision to predict SC falling from its throne?

Ted Miller: Strength and vision! That sounds like me!

Not sure yet, Raymond. I'm still a USC lean, but as many have noticed, I've been developing a Cal jones this offseason.

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Sweatervested from Mobile, Ala., writes: Ted, Good day to you sir! I have a question about recruits committing early. I would ask Chris Low on our SEC blog, but he has so many fans he may not get around to answer. Do you think committing early does more harm than good? Recruits these days seem to want to be catered to, and they seem to change their minds often.

Ted Miller: We meet again, Sweatervested, scourge of the Pac-10 blog!

The answer is Louisiana-Monroe and Utah!

Ah... but you played that darn Mobile card, so I have to be nice.

As for your question -- I know Chris is busy as heck -- no, I don't like early commitments, but each prep athlete and his family should do what's best for them.

If I'm a prep All-American linebacker at UMS-Wright playing for Terry Curtis and I love the Crimson Tide, maybe I should just get everyone off my back and commit.

But I'd advise my son -- who's four-months old but wears nine-month clothes by the way -- to make all five official visits, which is the only way to make an informed decision.

Plus, visits are fun and they are a great way to see other parts of the country, expenses paid.

And don't you owe me some royal red shrimp?

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Stephen from Los Altos, Calif., writes: The NCAA knows who their cash cows are, so I thought nothing would become of this USC Investigation Probe until I heard the words 'lack of institutional control.' What do you realistically think will become of this situation? Outside of punishing EWU, the NCAA hasn't made any statements for a long time. Do you think that they may be making up for lost time with these UCONN and USC situations?

Ted Miller: Ha! Like I'd know what the NCAA might do.

The decision to combine the Reggie Bush-O.J. Mayo cases suggests that the NCAA is focusing on oversight within USC's athletic department as a whole. My intuition is that means some sort of sanction will come out of this, though it's hard to say if it will involve the dreaded scholarship cuts and postseason bans.

My personal take, as many of you know, is that the Bush case is incredibly difficult to dump on the football program. I've read all the stories and the book, and the connections to the program are tenuous, at best.

The Mayo case feels different. And the two paired together create a "where there's smoke, there's fire" impression that's hard to shake.

Will that end up being "a lack of institutional control"?

Maybe.

But my gut says it may end up being the lesser "failure to monitor," which should spare the programs from crushing penalties.

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Eric from Terre Haute, Ind., writes: Do you think ASU's Michael Jones will garner any interest from NFL teams?

Ted Miller: I think Jones will get drafted on the second day because his decent speed and 6-foot-4 frame will raise at least one GM's eyebrow.

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Vince from Scottsdale writes: please, please, please mention something about Pat's Run in your blog, especially in light of Coach Snyder's passing. I realize you live here in the valley and were most likely going to have a full blown entry about the foundation and the run itself but I just wanted to make sure it gets the recognition it deserves. I personally feel that the legacy of Coach Snyder was kind of put on the backburner by ESPN in favor of the baseball deaths that occurred on the same day. He was an important part of ASU, a strong proponent of the Tillman Foundation and an all around good person.

Ted Miller: Did it, but if you missed it, here it is.

More details, here.

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Alex from Carlsbad, Calif., writes: I know you want to shy away from the top 30 list in Friday's mailbag, but I'm curious about the Mays' vs Berry topic. Mays doesn't have the "stats" that Berry does, and it's my opinion that he does his job so flawlessly, that you don't see it happening. Can you find the total amount of "big plays" Tennessee's defense gave up compared to SC's? Then maybe some SEC fans will give credit where credit is do.

Ted Miller: I know some see me as an SEC gadfly, but I'm just into telling the truth or at least gathering the facts and not making judgments on
teams and conferences based on stadium size.

And, with that in mind, Berry, my friend, is the truth.

Mays is a more spectacular athlete, by Berry has been more productive statistically by a wide-margin, and that can't be completely explained away by scheme.

Yes, USC had the nation's best pass defense in 2008. But Tennessee ranked 11th, and the Vols only gave up eight touchdown passes (USC gave up six).

And Berry's supporting cast was vastly inferior -- only end Robert Ayers would have started for USC.

Now, as I wrote, I still think it's wide-open on who gets picked first in the 2010 NFL draft. Mays could make up ground this season, and Berry could, perhaps, lose some in a new system. But that is not a majority opinion -- most favor Berry, in large part because of his production.

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John from Portland writes: Ted, What's your sense of WSU's ability to compete in the PAC10 over the next 5-10 years. Seems that budget and facilities will become more and more of an issue.

Ted Miller: My sense is that Washington State has been to two Rose Bowls since 1997 and the Cougs won 30 games from 2001-2003. Have budget and facilities issues gotten that much worse during that span?

No.

The Cougs can compete. They've proven it before and I bet they'll prove it again.

Or my friend Jim Moore's head might explode.

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John from Seattle writes: Hey, Ted, I just had a discussion with my wife about the percentage of people who would get a Stendhal reference. I said 10 percent, she said one. As for a Beckett allusion, well, since this is a college football blog, I'll upgrade it to 12 percent. Though as it's a Pac-10 blog, with all those Cal and Stanford folks (and OK, UCLA and USC aren't terrible), I might go as high as 14 percent. Might. It's probably closer to the one percent, of course. As a writer, I understand how fun it is to drop in literary references, even if only one percent of my audience gets it. And it's fun as a reader, too. So keep it up, but you should challenge your readers to Name That Writer! And now I must go on. I can't. But I will.

Ted Miller: Literary references? You mean those random lines before my lunch links? Those are just my original scribblings. Really! And who is this Stendhal? Didn't he play defensive end for Stanford in the '80s?

John, I try to touch a lot of cultural bases -- high and low -- with those entry lines. Hopefully, folks find it amusing.

Of course, pleasure is often spoiled by describing it.

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Jason from Queen Creek, Ariz., writes: Where was Nic Grigsby on your Top-30 list? He was only 4th in the conference in rushing as a Sophomore and tied for 4th in TD's. And all this was while splitting time with Keola Antolin. I would think based on production AND potential, he would have made the list.

Nick from the Bay Area writes: why don't you go on web cam and post a video on youtube where you say "based on my top-31 list, i am saying that i think cameron jordan is, at most, the eighth best defensive end in the conference"... and then keep a straight face for at least 5 seconds... seriously, i dare you to try.

John from Oregon writes: I'm sure you do this to cause questions to be raised but...You have Blount listed as the 4th best running back in the Pac-10??? McKnight has how many yards on how many carries? Rodgers is a fun little story but that is it. Blount would have had 1800 to 2000 yds last year if the Ducks didn't have Jeremiah Johnson. I'll give you Best but outside of him the only other Pac-10 running back who will be in the NFL in the next two years is Blount. Get your act together.

Ryan from Berkeley writes: Now that you have posted the whole list, I think that you have underrated Alterraun Verner.

Dan from Austin, Tx., writes: While I am an Arizona Wildcat, I'm gonna give another guy props first. Toby Gerhart is rated way too low. He is a beast and one of the hardest RB's to bring down not to mention he rushed over 1000 yds sharing time at RB? Stafon Johnson and Joe McKnight from USC are rated way too high !! Everyone is on the USC bandwagon but to have these two guys high on the list and not even have Nic Grigsby make the top 30??? Grigsby is the other lone thousand yard rusher in the Pac-10 and rushed for more TD's than McKnight and Johnson combined. I'm not saying Grigsby is top 10...but he HAS to be in the top 30!

Raffy from Los Angeles writes: While Taylor Mays may be an exceptional safety, no Pac10 OC's are game planning around him...In January of 2010, the one player the world will associate with Pac10 football will be Jahvid Best. It is an easy out to put an SC player at the top of this list (happens often I imagine) but let's face it, among college football players in 2009, few if any are comparable to the electricity and sheer physical talent that is Jahvid Best. Hard to appreciate from Bristol and other points east, but Best is a singular running back talent that must be watched to be appreciated

Ted Miller: Great points. Duly noted.

My top-30 list no longer will be carved into granite with gold leaf accents and hung from the highest point of Mt. Olympus.

Posted by ESPN.com's Ted Miller

Blount

No. 14

LeGarrette Blount, RB, Oregon: Blount and USC defensive end Everson Griffen are the only true 2008 backups on this list (We're not counting USC's backfield-by-committee the same way). Of course, not all backups are created equal, considering the bruising 6-foot-2, 240-pound runner led the Pac-10 with 17 rushing touchdowns, which broke the school's single-season record. He also ranked sixth in the conference with 1,002 yards and his 7.3 yards per carry ranked third behind speedsters Jahvid Best of Cal and USC's Joe McKnight. He's not just a bruiser, though. His long run of the year was 72 yards and many might remember him hurdling an Oklahoma State player in the Holiday Bowl. Now that he's back from a suspension for missing a few classes and a few team workouts, Blount can assert his claim for the starting job.

15. Alterraun Verner, CB, UCLA
16. Ed Dickson, TE, Oregon
17. Charles Brown, OT, USC
18. Will Tukuafu, DE, Oregon
19. Josh Pinkard, DB, USC
20. Reggie Carter, LB, UCLA
21. Stafon Johnson, RB, USC
22. James Rodgers, WR, Oregon State
23. Daniel Te'o-Nesheim, DE, Washington
24. Lawrence Guy, DT, Arizona State; Stephen Paea, DT, Oregon State
25. Toby Gerhart, RB, Stanford
26. Tyson Alualu, DE, California
27. Devin Ross, CB, Arizona
28. Keaton Kristick, LB, Oregon State
29. Brooks Reed, DE, Arizona
30. Everson Griffen, DE, USC

Posted by ESPN.com's Ted Miller

The Senior Bowl, the nation's premier college all-star game, has added USC receiver Patrick Turner and Oregon safety Patrick Chung to its list of invitees.

The game, whose selections are mostly dictated by the NFL, now will feature 14 Pac-10 players, including six from USC.

That means Trojans will have the largest contingent of players from any school for the second consecutive year. Nine Trojans were invited last year.

Kickoff for the January 24th game is set for 6 p.m. (CT) and the game will be televised by the NFL Network.

The Pac-10 Senior Bowl invitees:

California: Center Alex Mack and linebacker Zack Follett

Oregon: Center Max Unger, safety Patrick Chung, running back Jeremiah Johnson

Oregon State: Offensive lineman Andy Levitre and cornerback Keenan Lewis

USC: Linebackers Rey Maualuga, Brian Cushing and Clay Matthews and defensive linemen Fili Moala and Kyle Moore and receiver Patrick Turner

Washington State: Receiver Brandon Gibson

Posted by ESPN.com's Ted Miller

It looked like a potential Oklahoma State blowout. Then it became a swirl of momentum shifts.

	AP Photo/Denis Poroy
	Oregon's Jeremiah Johnson, left, celebrates with quarterback Jeremiah Masoli after Johnson's 76-yard touchdown run against Oklahoma State during the first quarter of the Holiday Bowl.

And then Oregon just asserted itself with a physical brand of Pac-10 football that wore down the Cowboys.

In a battle of big-time offenses, the Ducks pounded the Cowboys with 307 of their 566 yards coming on the ground in a 42-31 victory in the Pacific Life Holiday Bowl.

As for defense, the Ducks were vastly superior.

Before the game, a few of the Ducks defensive players -- namely All-American end Nick Reed -- groused about not getting respect.

When the Cowboys jumped to a 17-7 first-quarter lead, gaining nearly 200 yards in the process, their gripes made them look silly.

But Oklahoma State, which rushed for only 118 yards, scored just 14 points over the final three quarters.

So the Ducks defense, which pounded quarterback Zac Robinson and took control of the line of scrimmage, deserves nearly as much credit as an offense that scored 35 second-half points.

Now there is a huge qualifier: Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant was the best player on the field in the first half. But he hurt his knee with about four minutes before halftime and, though he shifted in and out of the lineup, he wasn't the same player afterwards.

Bryant caught 13 passes for 167 yards but was a non-factor after the injury, and Robinson looked lost without him.

Meanwhile, Ducks sophomore quarterback Jeremiah Masoli, clearly out of sorts during the early action, carved up a physically overmatched Cowboys defense in the second half. He earned game MVP honors by rushing for 99 yards with three touchdowns -- running over Cowboy tacklers multiple times -- and passed for 259 yards and a touchdown.

The Ducks, ranked 15th in the final AP poll, finish the season at 10-3 -- their fourth 10-win season under coach Mike Bellotti -- and should receive top-10 consideration because of their mastery of the No. 13 Cowboys.

With the Pac-10 improving to 3-0 in the bowl season with two more to play, the so-called down season in the conference is looking more and more like a fluke of ambitious nonconference scheduling.

Posted by ESPN.com's Ted Miller

The Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., is the premier postseason college all-star game. Everyone invited to the game has significant NFL prospects.

And just about every NFL coach and personnel guy will be on hand. Watching. Closely.

So the 12 Pac-10 players invited should feel honored. And a bit nervous.

Here's the list:

• California: Center Alex Mack and linebacker Zach Follett
• Oregon: Center Max Unger and running back Jeremiah Johnson
• Oregon State: Offensive lineman Andy Levitre cornerback Keenan Lewis
• USC: Linebackers Rey Maualuga, Brian Cushing and Clay Matthews and defensive linemen Fili Moala and Kyle Moore.
• Washington State: Receiver Brandon Gibson

Posted by ESPN.com's Ted Miller

Three days until the next Pac-10 bowl game. Be strong.

• Miami couldn't stop California's Jahvid Best, and a Miami columnist raises an eyebrow at the Bears' play calling. Jake Curtis does an outstanding job tying a bow on Cal's season and Emerald Bowl win.
• Oregon and Oklahoma State are similar in one way: They both benefit hugely from a sugar daddy booster. Good news for the Ducks: Running back Jeremiah Johnson returned to practice.
• With no Jacquizz Rodgers, Oregon State needs Ryan McCants to step up. Big. And there's little question where the Beavers' defense will be focused.
• It appears USC won't have fullback Stanley Havili or safety Kevin Ellison for the Rose Bowl, which is two big hits.  Here's a reason for quarterback Mark Sanchez to return for his senior season. Know how USC has, at times, struggled against mobile quarterbacks? Interesting tidbit from this story on Penn State:

With backup quarterback Pat Devlin's departure to Division I-AA Delaware earlier this month, [quarterback Daryll] Clark likely won't run as much against USC. If he were to be injured in the Rose Bowl, the Lions would be down to wide receiver Derrick Williams, who has taken direct snaps from the shotgun in the Wildcat formation, and Paul Cianciolo, who has played in just three games.

Posted by ESPN.com's Ted Miller

You smell that? It's the bowl season starting to catch fire.

• It appears that UCLA defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker is the leader for the vacant New Mexico State head-coaching job, according to the LA Daily News, which also reports that Walker's departure might mean the return of Ken Norton Jr., presently an assistant at USC, to UCLA.
• Columnist Tom Shatel writes about the Big 12 vs. the SEC, but his thesis fits for every conference when considering the carefully managed hype of the SEC. Yes, it's about self-promotion and regional unity overcoming bitter rivalries.
• California's key against Miami is obvious: Lots of Jahvid Best. There is mutual respect between the programs, with each telling the other how fast they are.
• Hey, what about Oregon's defense? It might make the difference in the Holiday Bowl against Oklahoma State. And so might the playing surface. And so might nagging issues for running back Jeremiah Johnson.
• Oregon State got a boost from the return of running back Jeremy Francis, who's dealing with some tough issues at home.
• USC returns to practice but some guys are banged up. How will USC's defense be remembered?

Posted by ESPN.com's Ted Miller

You can pout and cry now. Santa's already made up his mind.

• Arizona is still celebrating its Las Vegas Bowl win, and coach Mike Stoops is celebrating a contract extension.
• California's players are enjoying their bowl "trip" all the way to, er, San Francisco. Also, note that the story includes this: "Quarterback Nate Longshore took all the first-team reps at practice Tuesday." Cal's hoping to corner Miami.
• Oregon running back Jeremiah Johnson is nursing a hamstring injury. Five plays that defined the Ducks season.
• An anonymous scout picks Pitt to beat Oregon State, but these two teams are fairly similar.
• Unsung USC defensive end Kyle Moore thinks he's got a future playing on Sundays, just like his more heralded teammates. A little on Pete Carroll's coaching style.
• Does a new coach mean new uniforms for Washington?

Posted by ESPN.com's Ted Miller

Finishing second in the Pac-10 is about the best that any team in the conference can hope for during the Age of Carroll at USC, so Oregon's Holiday Bowl berth is something in which the Ducks should take great satisfaction.

It's even more impressive when it's taken into account that the 9-3 finish came with a quarterback who was No. 3 on the depth chart in August having just arrived after a year in junior college. By the end of the season, though, sophomore Jeremiah Masoli was running the spread-option offense with aplomb, see 50-plus points in three of the final five games, including a 65-38 blowout at Oregon State that dashed the Beavers Rose Bowl hopes.

The Ducks ran well -- and scored points -- most of the season, but when Masoli added a passing threat, thing really started clicking for an offense that finished tops in the conference in scoring (41.6 ppg) and total yards (478 ypg), numbers that also ranked among the top-eight in the country.

The defense? Meh. It underachieved, considering its experience and athleticism in the secondary and the presence of the Pac-10's top pass rusher in end Nick Reed (13 sacks).

Of their three defeats, two came against top-10 teams who combined for one loss -- USC and Boise State -- and the third came in a continuous, driving rain storm at California. In the Boise State game on Sept. 20, the Ducks were using their No. 5 quarterback.

Offensive MVPs: This goes to Lightning and Thunder, running backs Jeremiah Johnson and LeGarrette Blount, who combined for more than 2,000 yards rushing and 28 touchdowns. These two were the either-or cornerstones of a rushing attack that ranked fourth in the country with 278 yards per game. Blount was the bruiser and Johnson the slasher but both produced.

Defensive MVP: While the Ducks defense was disappointing this season, end Nick Reed was not. He ranked second in the country with 13 sacks and fourth with 19.5 tackles for a loss. He also led the Pac-10 with five fumble recoveries.

Turning point: A week after losing at Cal, the Ducks found themselves trailing Stanford 28-27 at home with 2:18 left. Fans at Autzen Stadium were booing Masoli. But then Masoli, whose passing had been rotten for two consecutive weeks, led an 11-play, 74-yard drive for the winning touchdown. Thereafter, Masoli played great, the offense rolled and Ducks won their final two games, earning their Holiday Bowl berth.

What's next: The Ducks lose a lot of good players. And they get a lot of good ones back. The offense will be hit hard on the line and at receiver, while the defense says goodbye to Reed and two other starting defensive linemen as well as rover Patrick Chung. Still, with Masoli back running the offense and Blount behind him, that's a good start. On defense, end Will Tukuafu (seven sacks) will step out of Reed's shadow, and, barring NFL defections, three-fourths of the secondary will be back. The Ducks again should be competing for a spot in the top-third of the Pac-10 in 2009.

Posted by ESPN.com's Ted Miller

Oregon tailback Jeremiah Johnson, Arizona State safety Troy Nolan and USC kicker David Buehler are the Pac-10 Players of the Week.

Johnson, a senior from Los Angeles, Calif., rushed 17 times for a career-high 219 yards (12.9-yard average) in the Ducks' 65-38 Civil War victory. Included were an 83-yard touchdown and a 79-yard run to set up another TD. The 219 yards rushing is a Civil War record.

Nolan, a senior from Los Angeles, Calif., had eight tackles -- seven solo -- and intercepted a
pass in the end zone and returned it 100 yards for a touchdown.

Buehler, a senior from Anaheim, Calif., connected from 35 yards on his only field-goal attempt, was 5-for-5 on PATs and had four touchbacks on seven kickoffs in USC's 38-3 win against Notre Dame.

Also nominated for offensive player of the week was USC tailback Joe McKnight. Also nominated on defense were linebackers Kaluka Maiava of USC and Spencer Paysinger of Oregon and UCLA cornerback Michael Norris. UCLA kicker Kai Forbath was nominated for special teams.