ESPN College Football

2011 overall record: 3-9

2011 conference record: 3-6 (fifth in North)

Returning starters: offense: 8; defense: 8; kicker/punter: 1

Top returners
QB Sean Mannion, DB Jordan Poyer, WR Markus Wheaton, WR Brandin Cooks, DE Scott Crichton, DB Rashaad Reynolds, OL Josh Andrews, S Anthony Watkins.

Key losses
WR James Rodgers, S Lance Mitchell, C Grant Johnson, DT Fred Thompson (passed away last December, could have been in contention for starting spot).

2011 statistical leaders (*returners)

Rushing: Malcolm Agnew* (423 yards)
Passing: Sean Mannion* (3,328 yards)
Receiving: Markus Wheaton* (986 yards)
Tackles: Anthony Watkins* (85)
Sacks: Scott Crichton* (6)
Interceptions: Jordan Poyer* (4)

Spring answers

1. Running game revival: Head coach Mike Riley has been adamant that his team will be better at running the ball in 2012. The Beavers rotated through four backs last season -- mostly because of injuries -- but redshirt freshman Storm Woods has come on strong in the spring. Though a pecking order hasn't been established, it's safe to say that the Beavers will have a deep rotation.

2. Secondary depth is solid: With Watkins sidelined during the spring with a shoulder injury, it opened up opportunities for Ryan Murphy and Tyrequek Zimmerman to replace the graduated Lance Mitchell. Murphy, last year's nickelback, looks like he's won the job to start along Watkins. Pair that with Poyer and Reynolds and the Beavers should be solid in the defensive backfield.

3. LB corps filling out: D.J. Welch looks like the heir apparent to Cam Collins on the strong side. Feti Unga, who was among the conference leaders in tackles last year prior to a knee injury, appears to be back and ready to go for the fall. Michael Doctor also appears more comfortable as he readies for his second year as a starter. Rueben Robinson and Cade Cowdin should provide the Beavers with some good depth across the board.

Fall questions

1. Offensive line issues: With only eight healthy linemen this spring, there wasn't much of an opportunity to fill out a starting five. Riley said he doesn't like leaving spring without knowing who his starters are, but it's just something they have to deal with. Andrews helps solidify the line and Grant Enger and Colin Kelly will be in the mix when they return from injury. But with a big influx of freshmen, Riley has essentially said all positions are up for grabs.

2. Has Mannion taken the next step? If you ask Riley, he has. If you ask Mannion, he has. But it won't be known until he steps on to the field. He showed last season that he has the potential to be an A-list quarterback in this conference. Better decisions should improve his 16-to-18 touchdown to interception ratio and an improved running game will almost certainly be a plus.

3. Who is No. 3 at WR? We know about Wheaton. We know that Cooks is up and coming. But who is going to be that No. 3 option for Mannion? Jordan Bishop is penciled in as the slot guy, but he missed his second straight spring. That opened the door for Obum Gwacham to emerge as the potential No. 3. He's Wheaton's immediate backup on the outside, but Riley couldn't help but gush about Gwacham's performance this spring.

I never thought it was such a bad little tree. It's not bad at all, really. Maybe it just needs a little love.

• New Arizona coach Rich Rodriguez makes a savvy move that should help in-state recruiting.
• Arizona State's players say they are excited about the Las Vegas Bowl against Boise State.
• What California fans need to know about Texas.
• Colorado picks up a commitment from a QB.
• Are Oregon fans taking a Rose Bowl berth for granted? This Grasu couldn't be greener. The Ducks LB took a long road to Eugene. Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema is already working the angles with the officials.
• Oregon State safety Lance Mitchell is on the mend and thinking about the NFL.
• The top Stanford moments of 2011. Andrew Luck is going to take a vacation.
• New UCLA coach Jim Mora talks to Tim Brando.
• If QB Matt Barkley returns to USC, he'll be in line to become the greatest of all Trojans.
• Missed this over the weekend: The best defensive lineman in the Pac-12 this year has decided to return to Utah instead of entering the NFL draft. Good for Norm Chow, but bad for Utah, when Chow bolts for Hawaii.
• The roof of Husky Stadium comes down, as I thought it might many times while I covered games in what was the Pac-12's second worst press box (Cal's was the worst).

Panda Watch. The mood is tense; I have been on some serious, serious reports but nothing quite like this. I uh... Ching... King is inside right now. I tried to get an interview with him, but they said no, you can't do that he's a live bear, he will literally rip your face off.

• Arizona running back Daniel Jenkins is getting touches and producing.
• The loss at UCLA has Arizona State fans grumbling -- again.
• California is riding a four-game losing streak to Oregon State.
• Colorado quarterback Tyler Hansen is playing his last game in Folsom Field.
• Oregon running back LaMichael James is no fan of the "finesse" label some give the Ducks. Oregon released more Willie Lyles documents.
• Oregon State safety Lance Mitchell is banged up but playing well.
• This is the biggest game of Andrew Luck's career. A good update on Stanford's injuries.
• The way to win for UCLA is rushing for 200 yards. Coach Rick Neuheisel had a chat with Norm Chow this year.
• USC coach Lane Kiffin talks about practice. Considering the play of Trojans defensive end Nick Perry.
• Utah has improved as quarterback Jon Hays has improved.
• Washington defensive coordinator Nick Holt talks defense and USC.
• Washington State has some young talent, though it might not ever play for coach Paul Wulff, who talks candidly about his future prospects.

Happy Friday.

• Tim Kish had a brilliant debut as Arizona's head coach.
• This guy is Arizona State's biggest surprise.
• More youngsters are going to play on California's defense.
• Coach Jon Embree sees Colorado improving.
• Midseason awards for Oregon.
• Oregon State safety Lance Mitchell will need offseason surgery.
• No receivers? That's no problem for Stanford. The Cardinal shuffle their secondary.
• A horrible game came at a horrible time for UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel. You can imagine what L.A. Times columnist T.J. Simers thought about the game.
• Five key issues for USC's visit to Notre Dame.
• While Utah has been up and down, the defense has been solid.
• A big-time matchup inside: Washington defensive tackle Alameda Ta'amu vs. Stanford guard David DeCastro.
• A running back has finally stepped up for Washington State.

Oregon running back LaMichael James, Oregon State safety Lance Mitchell and Beavers fullback Clayton York have been named Pac-12 Players of the Week.

From the official release:

James, a junior from Texarkana, Texas, posted his third-consecutive game with 200 or more rushing yards as he piled up 239 yards on 30 carries and collected one touchdown in just over three quarters of play before leaving with an elbow injury in the 43-15 win over California. The Walter Camp National Offensive Player of the Week had four carries that were each over 30 yards. He became the first Pac-12 player since Marcus Allen in 1981 to accumulate three-straight 200-yard games rushing.

Mitchell, a senior from Pasadena, Calif., made seven tackles, including five solo tackles, and posted his sixth career interception in Oregon State’s first win of the season, a 37-27 victory over Arizona. In addition, he recorded a fumble recovery and a pass breakup. Mitchell also made a 13-yard reception for a first down on a fake punt.

York, a junior from Bend, Ore., not only blocked his first punt, he returned it 41 yards for a touchdown to give the Beavers a 14-0 lead. It was Oregon State’s first blocked punt for a touchdown since 2008 against Washington State. A walk-on, York also made one tackle on special teams.

Also Nominated (Offense): Brock Osweiler, QB, ASU; Keenan Allen, WR, CAL; Sean Mannion, QB, OSU; Andrew Luck, QB, STAN; Nelson Rosario, WR, UCLA.

Also Nominated (Defense): Clint Floyd, S, ASU; D.J. Holt, LB, CAL: Delano Howell, S, STAN; Andrew Abbott, CB, UCLA; Trevor Reilly, LB/DE, UTAH.

Also Nominated (Special Teams): Alex Garoutte, PK, ASU; Giorgio Tavecchio, PK, CAL; Max Bergen, LB, STAN; Josh Smith, KR, UCLA.

Taking stock of the sixth week of games in the Pac-12.

Team of the week: Oregon State finally notched its first win of the season, beating Arizona 37-27. The Beavers jumped to a big lead then watched the Wildcats storm back. But instead of yielding in the fourth quarter in front of their nervous home fans, the Beavers made plays on offense, defense and special teams to win.

Best game: UCLA 28, Washington State 25. Beleaguered UCLA QB Kevin Prince came off the bench for an injured Richard Brehaut -- he was booed by his home fans as he entered the game -- and led the Bruins back from an eight-point fourth quarter deficit. He threw a go-ahead 7-yard touchdown pass -- his second of the game -- to Shaq Evans with 3:26 to play.

Biggest play: Oregon State saw its 30-6 lead almost disappear. Leading just 30-27 in the fourth quarter, the Beavers faced a fourth and goal on Arizona's 2-yard line. Instead of taking the easy field goal, coach Mike Riley went for the jugular. And QB Sean Mannion found TE Joe Halahuni for the touchdown that gave Oregon State breathing room with 5:22 remaining.

Offensive standout: Oregon RB LaMichael James rushed for 239 yards and a touchdown on 30 carries before dislocating his elbow in the fourth quarter of a victory over California.

Defensive standout: Despite being banged up, Oregon State safety Lance Mitchell rolled up seven tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery in a victory over Arizona.

Special teams standout: After Stanford fumbled away the opening kickoff, Colorado lined up for a short field goal. But Stanford LB Max Bergen blocked the attempt and returned it 75-yards for a touchdown.

Special teams standout II: Oregon State's Clayton York blocked a second-quarter Arizona punt, picked up the loose ball at the Wildcats' 5-yard line and ran it in for a score (officially, it was a 41-yard return).

Special teams standout III: Oregon State punter Johnny Hekker averaged 46.3 yards on four punts, killing three inside the Arizona 20-yard line. But none was more important than his 63-yard boot that pinned the Wildcats on their 5-yard line early in the fourth quarter. Arizona had just cut the Beavers' lead to 30-27, but the field position change brought on by this punt changed the game's momentum -- and led to the big play described above.

Smiley face: Just about everything had gone wrong for Oregon State and UCLA this year. But both the Bruins and Beavers kept fighting and overcame fourth-quarter adversity to record wins that could change the trajectory of their seasons.

Frowny face: Arizona special teams. A blocked punt for a TD. A missed 28-yard field goal. A fumbled kickoff. A missed extra point. Just terrible. The Wildcats are 2 of 6 on field goals this year and have missed four PATs.

Thought of the week: No. 18 Arizona State's visit to No. 9 Oregon is the first matchup of ranked Pac-12 teams this year. ESPN's College GameDay will be on hand, and this is a big opportunity for both teams. If the Sun Devils were to pull the upset, they'd announce themselves nationally. And they'd be in position to host to the Pac-12 championship game, which most projected in the preseason as a certainty for the North champ. If the Ducks win impressively, they could start to repair their national image, which was hurt by the national championship and LSU games, and maybe re-enter the periphery of the national title hunt.

Questions for the week: What's up with California, which plays a second consecutive Thursday night ESPN game against USC? The Trojans visit the Bears -- the game is at Cal's home-away-from-home, AT&T Park -- after a bye week, so they've had extra time to prepare. Last year, USC bludgeoned Cal 48-14, with QB Matt Barkley throwing five first-half TD passes. Trying to end a two-game conference losing streak should be motivation enough for Cal, but the memory of that embarrassing whipping also should be in the corner of the Bears minds.

Who gets a helmet sticker for a job well done on Week 5?

LaMichael James, Oregon: The Ducks running back rushed for 239 yards and a touchdown on 30 carries before dislocating his elbow in the fourth quarter of a the victory over California.



Keenan Allen, California: The Bears receiver caught nine passes for 170 yards and a TD in the loss to Oregon.

Brock Osweiler, Arizona State: The Sun Devils QB completed 25 of 41 passes for 325 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions in the win over Utah. He also rushed for 34 yards on seven carries.

Lance Mitchell, Oregon State: The Beavers safety, who is playing hurt, had seven tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery in the victory over Arizona.

Andrew Luck, Stanford: Old What's-His Name-completed 25 of 33 passes for 370 yards and three touchdowns. He had an interception, too, in the win over Colorado, but it was a deflection of a perfect pass off WR Chris Owusu's hands.

Kevin Prince, UCLA: The UCLA QB came off the bench to lead the Bruins to a crucial win over Washington State. He threw two touchdown passes, completing 8 of 13 throws for 173 yards. He also ran four times for 25 yards.

Who goes from good to great in the Pac-12 in 2011?

By this we mean which player goes from an above-average player to an all-conference sort? Here's some guess, one per team.

(And we don't want to include any players from this list).

DT Justin Washington, Arizona: Washington started fast as a redshirt freshman in 2010 then got banged up. If he stays healthy and takes a step forward, he's got a chance to be all-conference.

WR Gerell Robinson, Arizona State: The 6-foot-4, 222-pound senior has always looked the part. He just didn't play it. He played it this past spring, and he should put up big numbers in an offense that wants to throw it a lot.

WR Keenan Allen, California: Allen is a major talent. With his half-brother, Zach Maynard, playing quarterback, you'd think he's going to get plenty of chances to show it.

WR Paul Richardson, Colorado: Richardson is an A-list receiver on a team without much depth at the position. If he stays healthy, he's got a good shot to approach -- or eclipse -- the 1,000-yard receiving mark.

LB Michael Clay, Oregon: Smart and athletic -- very quick -- Clay saw a lot of action last year, and he did nothing to suggest he won't meet high expectations.

S Lance Mitchell, Oregon State: There are a lot of good safeties in the Pac-12. Mitchell, an NFL prospect, might be the most underrated of them all.

OLB Chase Thomas, Stanford: Very quietly piled up 14.5 sacks over the past two seasons but only earned honorable mention all-conference honors. Expect an upgrade when he gets double-digit sacks this fall.

DE Datone Jones, UCLA: Jones is like a super-secret guy who only folks who've watched UCLA practice the past two years know about. He was a nice player in 2009 who was expected to break out last year. Then he missed the entire season with a broken foot. If he stays healthy, he WILL be an all-conference player. Write it down.

DE Nick Perry, USC: Another talented guy -- the junior is firmly on the NFL radar -- who's been consistently riddled by injuries. If he stays healthy, he and Jones will be opposite each other on the all-conference team.

DT Star Lotulelei, Utah: At 6-foot-4, 325 pounds, he looks the part. By the end of the 2010 season, he played the part, too. Coach Kyle Whittingham believes he's a budding star in more than his name, and we concur.

OT Senio Kelemete, Washington: A two-year starter, he's the Huskies' most experienced O-lineman. Coach Steve Sarkisian has been singing his praises for a long time. A breakthrough year?

SS Deone Bucannon, Washington State: He led the Cougars in tackles as a true freshman and made plenty of big plays (see: two interceptions and two forced fumbles). He also made some mistakes. Expect the mistakes to go down and the big plays to go up.

John Connor gave me a picture of you once. I didn't know why at the time. It was very old - torn, faded. You were young like you are now. You seemed just a little sad. I used to always wonder what you were thinking at that moment. I memorized every line, every curve. I came across time for you Sarah. I love you; I always have.

• This ranking has Arizona at No. 49.
• You've got to credit Arizona State's marketing department: It's good with video.
• California fans can chat with wide receiver Marvin Jones at noon Thursday (PDT).
• Colorado is eager to prove its doubters wrong. Where do the Buffs stand at running back?
• There's plenty of competition at center for Oregon, particularly with the re-entry of a new but familiar player.
• Oregon State safety Lance Mitchell chats with John Canzano. A look at the Beavers' toughest nonconference foe: Wisconsin.
• A consideration of how Lucky Stanford is. A consideration of the Cardinal from a USC perspective.
• UCLA opponent preview: California. The Bruins pick up an O-line commitment.
• Bill Plaschke: There's a new sheriff at USC, and his name is Lane Kiffin. Who knew? Considering the fallout of RB Marc Tyler's suspension.
• Just like Utah needs to play like a Pac-12 team, so do the boosters need to ante up like Pac-12 boosters.
• Some key dates for Washington.
• Jon Wilner's Pac-12 picks. Ranking the Pac-12 receivers.

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?

Mel Kiper has made two lists of top NFL prospects by positions: top seniors and and top juniors (or draft-eligible sophomores).

As for the Pac-12 prospects on his lists, it appears the conference is stronger among juniors than seniors. Of course, a lot of early-round talents don't last until their senior seasons. And the offensive talent far eclipses the defensive talent.

Here's where Pac-12 seniors rank among his top five seniors by position. (Note the lack of highly rated defensive players.)

Quarterback
No. 3 Nick Foles, Arizona

Kiper comment: "Is Foles more of a physical prototype than a QB?"

Receiver
No. 4 Juron Criner, Arizona
No. 5 Chris Owusu, Stanford

Tight end
No. 3 David Paulson, Oregon
No. 4 Coby Fleener, Stanford

Offensive guard
No. 2 Ryan Miller, Colorado

Kiper comment: Miller could be the second top-OL guy from Colorado in as many years, following Nate Solder.

Center
No. 4 Garth Gerhart, Arizona State

Safeties
No. 5 Lance Mitchell, Oregon State

Punter
No. 1 Bryan Anger, California

And here's Kiper's take on Pac-12 juniors (and draft eligible sophomores).

Quarterback
No. 1 Andrew Luck, Stanford
No. 2 Matt Barkley, USC

Kiper comment: Amazing that, in terms of eligibility, Luck is still a junior. He'll command the most attention, for sure. Even with a new coach, he will be a front-runner for No. 1 in the 2012 NFL draft from August onward. Barkley has had two solid seasons at USC -- and this while thrown into a pretty tough situation.

Running back
No. 3 LaMichael James, Oregon

Fullback
No. 5 Taimi Tutogi, Arizona

Offensive tackle
No. 1 Matt Kalil, USC
No. 2 Jonathan Martin, Stanford

Kiper comment: Kalil has been a guy pro scouts have known since he arrived at Southern Cal. He has the bloodlines, the frame and the footwork to be a future left tackle in the NFL. Nobody will be under a bigger spotlight at the position this year than Martin, who protects the blind side of Andrew Luck.

Offensive guard
No. 1 David DeCastro, Stanford

Kiper comment: Stanford has a wealth of talent on the offensive line, and the departure of Jim Harbaugh shouldn't diminish what they're able to accomplish. When it comes to the running game, watch DeCastro, who will maul on the interior.

Linebacker
No. 1 Vontaze Burfict, Arizona State

Kiper comment: There are some scary hitters on this list, starting with Burfict, who was most productive against ASU's toughest competition last season. The guy was a force, quite literally, the moment he stepped on campus. Imagine if he'd stayed with USC.

Outside linebacker
No. 2 Chase Thomas, Stanford

Cornerback
No. 2 Cliff Harris, Oregon

Safety
No. 4 T.J. McDonald, USC

Punter
No. 1 Jeff Locke, UCLA

Pac-12 media day -- the first! -- will be held on July 26 in Los Angeles. All 12 coaches will be on hand to take questions, and they will bring a player along to enjoy the thrills and chills of redundant inquiries from the media.

Typically, the team's player choice goes one of three ways: 1) The team brings its biggest star, as it should in the spirit of media day; 2) The team brings its quarterback, which seems fair enough; 3) The team brings a senior it wants to honor.

Of course, this process often creates a bit of tension when the player draws a "Who?" while representing a program with a guy who's on preseason All-America teams.

See if you can guess which leading Heisman Trophy candidate won't be attending media day.

Arizona
QB Nick Foles

Arizona State
QB Brock Osweiler

California
WR Marvin Jones

Colorado
QB Tyler Hansen

Oregon
TE David Paulson

Oregon State
S Lance Mitchell

Stanford
QB Andrew Luck

UCLA
RB Johnathan Franklin

USC
QB Matt Barkley

Utah
OT Tony Bergstrom

Washington
RB Chris Polk

Washington State
WR Jared Karstetter

Most of the change we think we see in life
Is due to truths being in and out of favor.

• This is really funny stuff: "A Few Good Coaches." Read it only if you can't handle the truth. Cliff Harris is still not participating in voluntary workouts.
• Here's the official site for Oregon State safety Lance Mitchell's blog.
• A Stanford blog considers... Stanford.
• More on UCLA's latest commitment, who is speedy.
• A quick chat with USC AD Pat Haden.
• Go to the Farmer's Market, see a few Utes.
• Washington Huskies: What's my line?
• Has Washington State coach Paul Wulff been too loyal with his coaching staff?
• You can check out highlights of the Oregon-Texas game here (I'm not a video game guy, but this almost wins me over).
• Highlights of a Jon Wilner conversation with Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott.

Jo Bob is here to remind us that the biggest and the baddest get to make all the rules.

• Arizona State DT Will Sutton is looking to clean up his mess from last fall ... and just clean up.
• Colorado lands its fifth commitment.
• There are more questions than answers concerning Oregon and Willie Lyles, but it's still business as usual for coach Chip Kelly. An interesting take on Oregon's issues.
• Oregon State safety Lance Mitchell has his own blog! He's not thrilled that The Sporting News ranked the Beavers 48th. Stephen Paea for Oregon State Male Athlete of the Year.
• More on the short but tumultuous career of UCLA offensive lineman Stanley Hasiak. What does it mean for the O-line?
• Are 53 teams better than USC in 2011? The correct answer is "You must be joking." Part 2 of a Q&A with USC LB coach Joe Barry.
• A look at Washington's scholarship numbers, thoroughly recounted by the always thorough Bob Condotta.

Happy Friday. Welcome to the mailbag.

If you've been thinking, "I wish I could follow the Pac-12 blog on Twitter, only I don't know how!" Click here.

To the notes.

Mike from Fullerton, Calif., writes: What are the chances that Barkley puts up better numbers than Luck this year? Barkley is now in his third year as a starter and second with his offensive coordinator. He has what appears to be a budding college superstar in Robert Woods and long list of unproven but talented skill players around him. He obviously needs some help at o-line but if they can even give him some protection he should be able to convert. Luck is coming off a monster year with a new HC and lost his number one WR. i know luck has a dump truck load of good TE but so does SC. With an unproven o-line and talented but raw RB's isn't it foreseeable that Barkley just starts hurling it all over the field?

Ted Miller: That could happen.

Barkley actually attempted more passes in 12 games last year than Luck in 13 games. Luck passed for more yards -- 257 yards per game compared to 233 -- because he completed 71 percent of his passes compared to 63 percent for Barkley.

Both teams want to be balanced, so the likelihood is neither will abandon the running game. But Stanford is better off on the offensive line, so it might be able to stick its desire to maintain balance more than the Trojans, who are thin and questionable on the O-line. And USC is more talented at receiver.

If I were betting, I'd guess Barkley's numbers are going to be better in 2011 than 2010 while Luck's will remain about the same -- mostly because it's difficult to be much better passing than Luck was in 2010.

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Eric from Mountain View, Calif., writes: Ted, your post today about the New Mexico Bowl was the first I heard the Rose Bowl will not be on New Years Day. To whom do I direct my vitriol over this?

Ted Miller: I understand the tradition of the Rose Bowl always being played Jan. 1, but New Year's Day falls on a Sunday this year, meaning it could be in conflict with the NFL schedule. So no bowl games will be played on Jan. 1.

Here's the BCS release on the scheduling:

As a result of continued uncertainty involving the upcoming National Football League schedule, the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) group today announced a change in dates for three of its upcoming bowl games in order to avoid possible conflicts with NFL Monday Night Football.

The Allstate Sugar Bowl will be played Tuesday, January 3; the Discover Orange Bowl will be played Wednesday, January 4; and the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl will be played Thursday, January 5. The Rose Bowl presented by VIZIO will remain Monday afternoon, January 2, and the Allstate BCS National Championship game remains Monday, January 9th.

“We consulted the involved parties and made a careful decision to choose dates that will ensure a prime-time showcase for our student-athletes while also being mindful of the potential for change in the NFL’s schedule,” said BCS Executive Director Bill Hancock. “At this point in time, we want to create certainty in a somewhat uncertain scheduling environment.”

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Jeff from Boston writes: With their new defensive coordinator, how good can UCLA's safeties be? Best tandem in the PAC12? I expect BIG things from Tony Dye and Riley, especially with how good our D-line can be.

Ted Miller: Tony Dye and Dietrich Riley are a very good tandem, but there are a lot of good safety tandems in the Pac-12. Dye is a proven quantity who should emerge from the Rahim Moore's considerable shadow this fall, while Riley is a touted 2010 recruit who has flashed plenty of ability.

I'd rate Stanford (Delano Howell and Michael Thomas) and Oregon (John Boyett and Eddie Pleasant) ahead of Dye-Riley at this point, in terms of best tandems. And Washington State's Deone Bucannon and Tyree Toomer are pretty good, too.

Keep in mind USC's T.J. McDonald, California's Sean Cattouse, Oregon State's Lance Mitchell and Washington's Nate Felner are back this fall, while talented youngsters not unlike Riley -- Arizona's Marquis Flowers, Arizona State's Alden Darby, Utah's Terrell Reese and Washington's Sean Parker -- will be trying to make their marks.

Safety, in fact, seems like a strong position in the conference this fall.

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Michael from Salt Lake City writes: When viewing your entry about ASU's schedule I noticed there was no mention of having to play a pivotal game at Utah on Oct. 8, one week before ASU plays Oregon. If you over looked the games importance, my hope is that ASU will too? This could be a huge trap game for ASU, as they look ahead to a top ten matchup the following week. My guess is that the winner of the Oct 8th game will represent the south in the Pac 12 title game.

Ted Miller: I mentioned the game without typing "Utah."

Key stretch: Is Arizona State just a solid bowl team, or something bigger? The Sun Devils will know by Oct. 16, after a six-game stretch that includes two tough nonconference games, two games with top South Division rivals and winds up with a trip to Oregon.

The "two games with top South Division rivals" would be USC and Utah.

As for the game being a "trap," I'd expect not. To me, a trap game is one that potentially might be overlooked. The Sun Devils would be well-advised not to overlook the Utes and I don't think they will.

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Jim from Bellevue, Wash., writes: I've been reading your articles since you were at the Seattle PI. Normally I think you do great work, but I've noticed lately a lack of OSU info on your "lunch links". Is that because there is just no news of late from OSU, or is it because they finished 5-7 last year, or are there too many teams to cover now in the new PAC12 and OSU is getting the slight? What gives?

Ted Miller: You can blame the Pac-12 blog for a lot of things: the weather, the economy, the inexplicable popularity of "The Situation." But not a lack of links for Pac-12 programs.

I want to find links for every school, every day, but I have to depend on the work of others. When you don't see a link from your school, know that I spent more time looking for -- and failing to find -- one than with the schools that actually get a link that day. Not finding links makes my life harder, not easier.

A lack of Oregon State links? It's because I couldn't find any articles. The present explanation for the lack of Beavers links has to do with this little baseball team of theirs taking up all their beat writers' time.

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Kona from Phoenix writes: I have two wonderful questions that your blog followers are dying to know:(i) How many emails do you get in your mail bag per week?(ii) What do you feel the odds are of a person getting their question posted and answered on your blog? A ball park estimate is fine.Bonus Question: Which university in the PAC-12 has the best mascot? It is a tough call with newcomer Colorado in the mix, but I still will not cross the Devil, so my vote is for ASU.

Ted Miller: ESPN.com is a busy place. I get a lot of mail. Not sure exactly how many. I know it's too many to read each week. I often hear from friends that they sent me a note and I never responded but that's typically because I didn't read their message.

Odds of getting a question posted? Not sure. I give the mailbag a first glance Friday morning and start flagging questions that catch my fancy. Then I start typing. I try to get a handful of diverse topics and tones. My general feeling, depending on the week, is I will review about 50 notes to get five to seven questions.

Mascot? The Tree.

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Tom from Chicago writes: You sound like a real loser writing a USC article like an opposing fan. Just remember, your bosses at ESPN are bigtime USC fans. I'm sure they'll enjoy reading your biased rubbish. Furthermore, I'm sure your measely paycheck reflects your opinions. Enjoy your six pack of cheap bear and deli sandwich. You wish you were a Trojan.

Ted Miller: You misspelled "measly."

And, yes, I could use a turkey sandwich and a cold Bud right now.