ESPN College Football

The Heisman Pundit has released its official 2012 Heisman Trophy Watch List, and as you’d expect, it’s the usual suspects from the Pac-12 on the list.

Though in alphabetical order, it’s widely assumed that USC quarterback Matt Barkley is the front-runner with all others playing catch-up before the first snap has been taken. Here’s the list.

• Tavon Austin, Sr., AP, West Virginia
• Montee Ball, Sr., RB, Wisconsin
• Matt Barkley, Sr., QB, USC
• Tajh Boyd, Jr., QB, Clemson
• Tyler Bray, Jr., QB, Tennessee
• Knile Davis, Jr., RB, Arkansas
• James Franklin, Jr., QB, Missouri
• Landry Jones, Sr., QB, Oklahoma
• Collin Klein, Sr., QB, Kansas State
• Marcus Lattimore, Jr., RB, South Carolina
• Aaron Murray, Jr., QB, Georgia
• Keith Price, Jr., QB, Washington
• Denard Robinson, Sr., QB, Michigan
• Geno Smith, Sr., QB, West Virginia
• De’Anthony Thomas, So., RB, Oregon
• Sammy Watkins, So, WR, Clemson
• Tyler Wilson, Sr., QB, Arkansas
• Cierre Wood, Sr., RB, Notre Dame

The Pac-12 blog entertained which player from the conference we thought would emerge as the Heisman winner in a Take 2 back in March. Watch lists are always subject to change, and until we actually see some games, it’s only fun speculation at this point.

No question that Barkley is the early leader in the minds of many. Given his statistics last season, the receivers he has around him and the lofty preseason ranking the Trojans are expected to enjoy, he’s looking down on the pack – at least for now.

Thomas is going to have big play after big play this season, which makes him a very strong Heisman candidate. His exploits can be packaged into an explosive highlight reel that is easily digestible for East Coast voters. No one ever gets tired of seeing 85-yard touchdown runs (unless you're safeties chasing Thomas).

Price lacks the national brand at this point, but that could all change in Week 2 in Baton Rouge. A strong showing against LSU is certain to boost his exposure and could catapult him from dark horse contender to major candidate. And then he's got Stanford, Oregon and USC all in the first six games. He could be the leader at the turn ... or slip out of the running all together.

Which college football programs develop the best, pro-ready quarterbacks?

That's Brock Huard's question here. To answer it, he enlisted the help of former Oregon coach Mike Bellotti, ESPN Recruiting's Tom Luginbill and a former NFL passer Jesse Palmer.

This isn't about productive college offenses, it's about producing NFL quarterbacks. Writes Huard, "This search for 'QB U' is more about projection than it is about collegiate production. Mike Gundy, Gus Malzahn, Dana Holgorsen and Chip Kelly may be at the front of the line when it comes to innovation and quarterback execution at the collegiate level, but the top five schools that follow incubate a passer in a very demanding way on and off the field, at the line of scrimmage and have a recent track record of success that differentiates them from the pack."

Three Pac-12 teams make Huard's top-five.

USC is No. 1, of course. Here's what Huard had to say about the Trojans:

Surrounded by top-flight skill and talent, the country's No. 2 media market, ideal weather conditions to train year-round, an $85 million football facility, a staff littered with NFL know-how and experience, and an offensive-system that centers on the QB position, USC sits atop our list.

Carson Palmer, Matt Leinart, Matt Cassel and Mark Sanchez have made healthy paychecks in the NFL, and Matt Barkley would have been added to that list had he decided to turn pro this offseason.

Lane Kiffin may have burned bridges in Oakland and Knoxville, but his résumé of college quarterbacks developed over the last 10 seasons is second to none, and don't minimize what he did in his one year with Jonathan Crompton (Washington Redskins) at Tennessee.

Kiffin would be the John Calipari of college football if he had to live within the one-and-done parameters. His recruiting message, like Calipari's, is very clear: If you want to compete for national titles while never losing sight of the ultimate goal of the NFL, then USC is the place for you.

Alabama was No. 2 and Stanford was No. 3. Here are his comments on the Cardinal:

The resources for a young passer are manifold on the Farm: NFL pedigree and experience on staff (Shaw's nine years and offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton's seven), cutting-edge training and conditioning facilities, ideal weather and climate, and a strong supporting cast that includes one of the best crop of young offensive linemen in the country.

Andrew Luck, of course, was a game-changer as well. He set the bar so incredibly high for managing formations, shifts, audibles, line-of-scrimmage mechanics and everything else he tackled at the position that Jim Harbaugh told me two years ago in a production meeting that Luck challenged him schematically "to do more, because of what he was able to absorb and handle."

The Cardinal have changed expectations for their program with back-to-back BCS bowl game appearances, and Shaw & Co. are doing less recruiting and more selecting of the top-tier, well-rounded student-athletes (including three four-star QB recruits in the last five classes, with another blue-chip already signed for 2013).

Missouri is No. 4 and Washington is No. 5. Here are his comments on the Huskies:

Steve Sarkisian can coach quarterbacks -- just ask Sanchez, Jake Locker and now Keith Price. Alongside Carroll and Kiffin at USC, Sarkisian molded Heisman Trophy winners and consecutive first-round picks. At Washington, Locker became the eighth pick in the NFL draft a year ago, and Price shattered every significant team passing record in 2011, including throwing 33 touchdowns in his first year as a starter.

The success helped the Huskies land two Elite 11 QBs (Jeff Lindquist and Cyler Miles) in their latest recruiting class, a feat that led Pete Carroll to call Sarkisian on signing day to ask how he landed such a haul.

The Huskies have a ways to go up front to compete for more than Rose Bowls any time soon; however, when it comes to enticing the best young QB prospects in the land, UW's tape and development speak for themselves.

ESPN writers and bloggers cover keys for teams transitioning to new
conferences.

We've given you our thoughts recently on which Pac-12 player has the best shot at winning the Heisman. You've given your thoughts (an extremely tight poll) and now the folks at HeismanPundit.com have offered up their darkhorse candidates for 2012.

They looked at 12 not-as-mainstream candidates who could contend for the Heisman Trophy, and four of them are from the Pac-12.

First, the list:

• Eddie Lacy, Alabama
• Curtis McNeal, USC
• Fitzgerald Toussaint, Michigan
• Kenjon Barner, Oregon
• James Franklin, Missouri
• Braxton Miller, Ohio State
• Kiehl Frazier, Auburn
• Le'Veon Bell, Michigan State
• Cierre Wood, Notre Dame
• Christine Michael, Texas A&M
• Jesse Callier, Washington
• De'Anthony Thomas, Oregon

Their thoughts on each of the Pac-12 players:

On McNeal: A total of 150 carries have departed the program and there is little depth behind the senior, who will benefit from defenses focusing on USC’s strong passing attack. Give McNeal at least half of those departed carries and you are looking at a possible 1,500 yard season, if not more.

On Barner: There were times the rest of the year when he looked as good as, if not better than, James. This year, the Ducks lose not only James’ 247 carries, but also the 45 of freshman Tra Carson and the 56 of quarterback Darron Thomas, for a total of 347 carries to be redistributed.

On Callier: I actually think there is a good chance that Washington experiences no dropoff at this position and that Callier establishes himself as one of the top backs in the Pac-12 with a season exceeding 1,300 yards on the ground.

On Thomas: Thomas is obviously an interesting case since he is such an all-around dynamo. Last year, he had just 140 touches, with 39 of them coming in the return game. This was a wise move by Oregon, as keeping the rather slight Thomas fresh and healthy is the key to his effectiveness. It worked, as he had 18 touchdowns and 2,235 total yards. In that vein, Oregon might be tempted to put a huge workload on him in 2012, but I don’t foresee it unless there is a desperate need.

Fun list. With frontrunner Matt Barkley out there, along with Washington quarterback Keith Price, a couple of USC wide receivers and A-list running backs like John White IV and Stepfan Taylor, there is certainly no wanting for offensive talent in the conference. Per usual.

Which players emerge will definitely be one of the more fascinating stories to follow in 2012.

We're looking at the top individual performances in the Pac-12 in 2011.

Up next: Brock Osweiler's arrival

Who & against whom? Arizona State quarteback Brock Osweiler, a question in the preseason, produced his "hello world" performance in the Sun Devils 37-30 overtime victory over Missouri in Week 2 of the 2011 season.

The numbers: Osweiler completed 24 of 32 passes for 353 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions. He also rushed five times for 34 yards and a 12-yard touchdown.

A closer look: Arizona State's season ended so dismally -- five consecutive defeats -- that many forget just how good the Sun Devils looked early in the season, when they were nationally ranked and appeared to be the overwhelming favorite in the Pac-12 South Division. And here's a guess that this game is a major part of the highlight package Osweiler wants NFL teams to see after he opted to enter the draft after his junior season. In this game, Osweiler's touchdown run gave the Sun Devils a 30-16 lead early in the fourth quarter. But the Tigers charged back and had a chance to win in regulation but missed a 48-yard field goal. Osweiler's 11-yard touchdown pass was the difference in OT. A tip of the cap goes out to Osweiler's top target in this game, Aaron Pflugrad, who hauled in eight passes for 180 yards and two scores.

ARIZONA STATE SUN DEVILS

Record: 6-6, 4-5 Pac-12

Arizona State had two seasons. The good one and the bad one. The bad one, however, is the one that counts because it got coach Dennis Erickson fired.

The good one was a 6-2 start that featured quality wins over Missouri and USC and had the fan base energized. The offense was high-powered with quarterback Brock Osweiler and running back Cameron Marshall and the defense was fast and opportunistic.

Then the Sun Devils collapsed. They not only lost four in a row, they lost four in a row to teams they should have beaten. The biggest problem was an implosion from the defense and a sudden inability to play well in the fourth quarter.

There's more bad news. While the fan base is more focused on a meandering coaching search, the Sun Devils are getting ready to play in the MAACO Bowl Las Vegas against an outstanding Boise State team, one that feasts on the mental cramps of more physically talented AQ conference teams. If ASU doesn't show up, it's going to get embarrassed.

Offensive MVP: QB Brock Osweiler played better early in the season than late, but he certainly wasn't why things went haywire. He completed 63 percent of his passes for 3,641 yards with 24 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He also rushed for 128 yards and three scores.

Defensive MVP: On a defense that lacked consistency, LB Colin Parker was consistent. He had 67 tackles with six tackles for a loss, 2.5 sacks and four forced fumbles.

Turning point: How might have things gone for the Sun Devils if UCLA hadn't converted that third-and-29 play late in the fourth quarter? You don't like to reduce a season to one play, but that 33-yard pass play from one of the nation's worst passing offenses is like a big, blinking red light.

What's next: Well, for one, the Sun Devils need to hire a new coach, and it's fair to call their coaching search thus far uneven. That new coach will inherit a team with some nice young talent, most obviously Osweiler, but one that loses a number of seniors who played major roles. The trajectory of the program is impossible to measure because there are so many variables. But it is safe to say things are worse than they appeared on Oct. 29, when the Sun Devils seemed like certain South Division champions.

A couple of weeks ago, ESPN "GameDay" analyst Kirk Herbstreit said it seemed to him the Pac-12 was "out of sight, out of mind."

Some out west fumed. Others were just annoyed because he was right. That whole "truth hurting" thing at work again.

The Pac-12 opened the season on a big stage, with then-No. 3 Oregon's marquee showdown with No. 4 LSU in Cowboys Stadium, and the 40-27 Ducks defeat immediately deflated the two-time defending conference champions and Pac-12 as a whole.

At least in terms of national perception. You can debate the nuances of the game, but Oregon was punished in the polls, dropping to 13th in the AP poll and 14th with the coaches.

Meanwhile, the rest of the Pac-12 has done little of note to change that deflated perception.

Sure, Stanford is in the top 10, but its only victory over a winning team came at 3-2 Duke (and, yes, this humble scribe is lucky he actually checked the Blue Devils' record). The Pac-12 is 4-7 against AQ foes with no wins over teams that are presently ranked.

A conference game matching two ranked teams? Hasn't happened.

At least until Saturday, when No. 18 Arizona State visits No. 9 Oregon. And guess what? Herbie and the "GameDay" gang will be there. The Pac-12 will be in sight and in mind and on a big stage, even if a 10:15 p.m. ET kickoff ensures that some on the East Coast might end up face down and drooling on their sofas.

It's certainly an opportunity for one or the other to make a statement.

The Ducks have won 14 consecutive conference games and 19 in a row at home. But they've not beaten anyone of note since whipping Stanford more than a year ago. The resurgent Sun Devils, with wins over Missouri, USC and Utah and a tight loss at No. 16 Illinois, are a foe with enough bona fides that skeptical pollsters will take note. (And, by the way, pollsters, great job penalizing the Ducks so severely for playing a marquee nonconference foe, one that is presently ranked No. 1 and whom the Ducks outgained 335 yards to 273. College football will be SO much better if teams decide such games aren't worth the risk.)

As for ASU, a win at Oregon as a 16-point underdog could transform what looked like a potentially good season into a potentially great one. The Sun Devils, with no Stanford or Washington on the schedule, likely would be significant favorites in all their remaining games.

And, of course, we could end up seeing a rematch Dec. 2 in the Pac-12 championship game. If that's the case, the winner very likely will be playing for home-field advantage Saturday, which is a not insubstantial stake.

As it is, the Pac-12 starts the second half of the season with a game of import, one that college football fans everywhere will at least raise an eyebrow at. LSU fans will be rooting hard for the Ducks. Illinois, the Sun Devils. Big Ten fans in general might watch to see which team will become a Rose Bowl favorite.

It's nice to matter again, eh?

The good news at midseason is the Pac-12 has two top-10 teams -- Stanford and Oregon -- and a couple of other programs that are -- or look like -- Top-25 teams.

The bad news is the conference was pretty rotten during the nonconference schedule, which means the national perception has taken some heavy blows.

While the Pac-12 is 12-10 against all FBS nonconference foes, it went 4-7 against other automatic qualifying conferences. And the only win of note was Arizona State beating Missouri, which is now 2-3. Arizona, Colorado, Oregon State, UCLA, Washington and Washington State all took double-digit whippings.

The biggest blow, however, was Oregon falling in the opener to LSU. No shame in that; LSU is a national-title contender. But the Ducks thought they were, too. And seeing another A-list defense -- particularly one from the SEC -- control the Oregon offense damages the perception of the Ducks and the conference they've won the previous two seasons.

The conference's image of great offenses/great QBs with questionable defenses held true. Six Pac-12 passers rank among the nation's top 25 in passing efficiency, while just one team -- Stanford -- ranks in the top 25 in the nation in both total and scoring defense.

The QBs and offenses, in general, have been pretty fun to watch, though. Everyone knew about Stanford's Andrew Luck, USC's Matt Barkley, Arizona's Nick Foles and Oregon's Darron Thomas. But some newbies made big impacts, such as Arizona State's Brock Osweiler and Washington's Keith Price. Washington State lost starter Jeff Tuel in the season opener, but Marshall Lobbestael came off the bench and led the Cougars to three wins, ranking 17th in the nation in passing efficiency while doing so.

It's not just QBs. Running backs -- particularly Oregon's LaMichael James and Washington's Chris Polk -- and receivers -- USC's Robert Woods, Washington State's Marquess Wilson and California's Keenan Allen -- also have stood out.

As for the big picture, there haven't been too many surprises. Oregon and Stanford in the North Division still look like the class of the conference, and they appear to be headed toward a red-letter matchup on Nov. 12 in Palo Alto. Arizona State has surged in the South Division, which looks fairly weak after the Sun Devils and USC, which is ineligible to play in the Pac-12 championship game due to NCAA sanctions.

Some preseason hot seats -- UCLA's Rick Neuheisel and Washington State's Paul Wulff -- are still warm. And some we didn't see coming -- Arizona's Mike Stoops -- are heating up.

So the second-half questions will be about what the top and bottom will end up looking like. Will Stanford or Oregon play itself into national-title contention? And might the conference again get two BCS bowl berths? And, at the bottom, which teams will be looking for new head coaches at season's end?

Offensive MVP: Oregon RB LaMichael James

James started slowly in the LSU game, but has been lights out since then. He leads the nation in rushing with 170.4 yards per game , with an eye-popping 8.97 yards per run and eight TDs. He's eclipsed 200 yards in his last three games.

He also, by the way, has caught 11 passes for 159 yards and a TD, leads the nation in all-purpose yards and is tied for second in punt returns.

He dislocated his elbow, however, in the win last Thursday over California, making his second-half prospects questionable.

Defensive MVP: Stanford LB Chase Thomas

Stanford is the only Pac-12 team ranked in the top 25 in the nation in total and scoring defense, and Thomas has been the Cardinal's best defender.

Thomas leads the conference in sacks (five) and ranks second in tackles for a loss (seven) and forced fumbles (three). He also has 20 tackles overall.

Biggest surprise: Washington

Truth be told, there aren't any big surprises in the Pac-12. Most thought the Huskies would be competitive in the North Division, battling for the No. 3 spot behind Oregon and Stanford.

But that perception was based on Polk and what looked like a potentially stout defense. The Huskies are 4-1 because of Price -- his 17 TD passes is tied for second-most in the nation -- Polk and a high-scoring offense and a defense that took three weeks to join the part.

The Huskies haven't started 4-1 since 2006.

Biggest disappointment: Arizona

The Wildcats had big questions in the preseason, most particularly five new starters on the offensive line and a questionable defense. But the feeling was that Foles and an outstanding corps of receivers would be able to outscore a lot of foes.

And, really, Stoops wouldn't ever have a terrible defense, right?

Well, the Wildcats, now 1-5 after losing to previously winless Oregon State, do have a terrible defense, one of the worst in the country, and Foles isn't getting much help on offense.

That bottom line: A 10-game losing streak against FBS opponents and a hot seat for Stoops that few anticipated during the preseason.

Best game: California 36, Colorado 33 (OT)

The nonconference game that was a conference game -- but wasn't -- was a barnburner featuring four lead changes and a lot of passing and just one turnover. It wasn't over until Cal receiver Keenan Allen hauled in a 5-yard touchdown pass in overtime from his half-brother, Zach Maynard. It was Maynard's fourth TD pass.

In a losing effort, Paul Richardson caught 11 passes for a school-record 284 yards and two TDs to help Colorado rally from a 10-point deficit in the second half. Buffs QB Tyler Hansen threw for a team-record 474 yards passing with three TDs.

Colorado forced overtime with a 22-yard field goal with 30 seconds left in regulation after a 16-play, 70-yard drive that took 6:40 off the clock and required three third down conversions.

Best coach: Dennis Erickson, Arizona State

He entered the season on the hot seat. Some said he was mailing it in after a long career. Instead, he's turned in one of the better coaching performances of his career. Erickson has taken a team ravaged by injuries to the top of the Pac-12 South Division and a No. 18 national ranking.

He's helped develop a QB, Osweiler, into a potent passer and charismatic leader, and he's got a defense missing a bevy of inured starters playing better than any other the conference, other than Stanford.

Just when we thought we were out of the expansion business, they pull us back in.

Or does Missouri's wandering eye -- away from the Big 12 and toward the SEC -- mean anything for the Pac-12?

It could but probably doesn't in the short-term.

Jon Wilner, as usual, provides some informed speculation here. You'll note his story is mostly about the SEC, Big East and Big 12.

And he makes clear who the villain is here -- besides, of course, Texas. Writes Wilner:

Make no mistake, folks: The SEC’s desire to sign a new TV deal -- and its frustration that the little old Pac-12 has a better deal -- is driving the realignment.

There wouldn’t be anyplace for A&M and Mizzou to go without the SEC opening its doors.

In other words, Texas laid the groundwork for the demise of the Big 12 -- at least as we know it -- but the SEC is carrying out the execution.

Of course, the Big 12, upon losing its third and likely fourth team in two years could go hunting for a new pair -- or foursome to get to 12 teams again -- but the choices are limited, and most have a downside.

What about the Pac-12?

The idea of a Pac-16 isn't dead, but it will only happen on commissioner Larry Scott's -- and the Pac-12 presidents' -- terms. The truth is Scott, who still believes the future will be superconferences, will have to win over the presidents to the justifications of further expansion. The presidents got their TV contract -- their money -- so now they're pulling back inward.

Texas would still be the centerpiece of a best-case, read lucrative, scenario, but the Longhorns would have to agree to the Pac-12 terms: 1. Equal revenue sharing; 2. The Longhorn Network joining the framework of the Pac-12's regional networks.

The problem is inding anyone who thinks Texas will give up the Longhorn Network.

Texas has another issue. Pac-12 folks don't trust Texas. Those exact words were said to me recently by an administrator at a Pac-12 school, and various versions of those sentiments have been repeated to me for months.

The general feeling inside the Pac-12 office is that it continues to believe it operates from a position of strength. If it needs to expand as the landscape changes, it will have plenty of options.

The SEC landing a TV contract that eclipses the Pac-12's deal? Well, that's just a market reality that will surprise no one.

It's hard to imagine things are becoming stable. The Big East and Big 12 on not on firm footing. That means the discussion of expansion scenarios hasn't ended inside the Pac-12 office.

TEMPE, Ariz. -- Omar Bolden couldn't stop grabbing and hugging Vontaze Burfict as they walked into the locker room. Bolden, Arizona State's injured, charismatic captain, was bouncing around, jumping for joy. Burfict? The Sun Devils wound-tight superstar alternated between a grin and a grimace as he limped off the field, lugging along Bolden under a scoreboard that said the Sun Devils had beaten USC 43-22, the first time they'd been on top of the Trojans in 11 previous meetings.

This Sun Devils team feels different.

Quarterback Brock Osweiler walked into his postgame news conference with 1,500 pounds of escort -- his entire starting offensive line.

Why? "I thought the media was pretty harsh on these guys last week," Osweiler said.

Last week, the Sun Devils lost at Illinois, despite outplaying the Illini. Osweiler had three turnovers. The offensive line gave up six sacks. There were eight penalties for 91 yards. The loss knocked the Sun Devils out of the national rankings and cost them defensive end Junior Onyeali, who suffered a knee injury. It was the sort of loss that could linger in a locker room, not to mention inspire talk of "same old Sun Devils" from a skeptical fanbase.

This Sun Devils team was different. It yielded just one sack. It committed no turnovers -- versus four from USC. It had just six penalties, one of which was on coach Dennis Erickson for celebrating.

And now, at 3-1 overall and 1-0 in the Pac-12, these Sun Devils have beaten two ranked teams. They might return to the national rankings. And this win was particularly sweet.

"Eleven years is a long time not to beat somebody," Erickson said.

The game turned in the third quarter, just as USC seemed to be taking control. The Trojans, who trailed 21-9 at the break, took a 22-21 lead with touchdown drives of 80 and 76 yards. They were running and throwing over the Sun Devils, who seemed to be wearing down.

"The thing we kept saying was, '11 years.' That was a huge thing that kept us motivated all week," defensive tackle Bo Moos said.

Said Osweiler, "We don't really have a panic button."

ASU would score the final 22 points.

The Sun Devils immediately answered the Trojans with a 76-yard TD drive. Arizona State then let USC throw up on itself. The Trojans fumbled on the ASU 28-yard line. On their next possession, USC quarterback Matt Barkley fumbled after a sack from Greg Smith, Onyeali's replacement, on the ASU 18. After another Sun Devils touchdown drive, Barkley then threw a 41-yard pick-six to Shelly Lyons.

In the second quarter, Barkley threw one interception to Burfict on the Sun Devils' 12. Burfict returned the interception 36 yards. He was tackled by Barkley, who had said Burfict was a dirty player this week.

Burfict ran to Barkley. And helped him up.

That was different.

"They didn't make many mistakes, didn't give us many chances," USC coach Lane Kiffin said.

Injuries? Running back Cameron Marshall sat out practices with a sprained ankle, but he rushed for 141 yards on 25 carries with three TDs. Mistakes? Osweiler bounced back from his performance at Illinois with two touchdowns and no interceptions, completing 25 of 32 passes for 223 yards and also ran for 18 yards.

There's a lot of season left, but beating USC, which slipped Utah two weeks ago, puts the Sun Devils in good position in the South Division. An Oct. 8 trip to Utah appears critical.

But looking ahead would be so 2008-2010 Sun Devils. That can't happen. The first priority, however, is enjoying this one.

Said Erickson, "It doesn't get much better than that."

Happy Friday.

Nine out of 10 dentists recommend my Twitter feed for whiter teeth and fresher breath.

And here's that 10th dentist.

To the notes!

Greg from Hillsboro, Ore., writes: 4 turnovers. 12 penalties. That had a HUGE stake in how the Oregon-LSU game turned out. Now consider: Oregon's **offense** put up 27 pts on that LSU defense. I think we will find over the course of the season that LSU has the best defense in the country.I'd wager THAT offensive output vs LSU's defense will cause the national media pundit know-it-alls to see that game in a new light.

Rotfogel from Oakland writes: I'm not sold on the Oregon Ducks as being belonging in the same sentence with Stanford...not this year. I believe we'll be seeing them lose at least 3 more times this year. The talent level just is not there and we can't assume they'll just magically play like they did last year, not sans talent. Cal should be the #2 team in the North this year...the reason?...NO MORE KEVIN RILEY!!!!

Hilston from Slidell, La., writes: The Tigers exposed your duckies. how'd that crow taste?

Ted Miller: Hilston, I picked LSU to win. But I've been wrong so many times that I can tell you crow tastes a bit like chicken and isn't so bad with some hot sauce and a cold drink.

But all this opining on the Ducks -- their worthy or unworthiness -- got me to recalling my reaction to the LSU-Mississippi State game. To put it simply, that was a brutal butt-kicking, even if the Bulldogs' scheme is way, way smarter that poor ole Chip Kelly's.

Oregon's offensive line lost the battle to LSU's defensive front. No question. But the Bulldogs' offensive line didn't look like it belonged on the same field with LSU. I sort of felt sorry for those guys. And if I were an Oregon fan watching the Bulldogs, ranked 20th in the preseason, getting completely bullied -- at home no less -- I certainly would have felt better. That sort of play-by-play dominance by the Tigers was nothing like the LSU-Oregon game.

So much goes into a football game and how it turns out. Ask Washington and Nebraska fans about the intangibles of their teams' three-game series, and the recollections will be so skewed you'd wonder how they could have watched the same three games.

So we have LSU-Oregon. The interpretation of this game has spiraled from "LSU decisively won" to "LSU manhandled." The latter is simply wrong. LSU won the battle on both sides of the line of scrimmage, but it certainly wasn't "men against boys," as it was with Mississippi State.

But don't just believe my words. Consider the numbers.

• Oregon outgained LSU 335 yards to 273.
• And that wasn't all about the "make it respectable" drives in the fourth quarter. Oregon also had more yards at halftime: 167 to 100. Both teams had 46 rushing yards at the break.
• LSU outrushed Oregon 175-95. The Tigers averaged 3.6 yards per rush. The Ducks averaged 3.4.
• The Ducks had three scoring drives of over 60 yards, including a 19-play, 79-yarder. LSU had one.
• The Ducks were 9 of 19 on third down. LSU was 6 of 15.
• LSU had zero sacks. Oregon had one.
• LSU had six tackles for a loss. Oregon had five.
• Oregon had 12 penalties for 95 yards. LSU had five for 47.
• Oregon had four turnovers, including a fumbled punt that was returned for a short TD. LSU had one turnover.

And if LSU fans think I'm trying to reduce the Tigers impressive 40-27 win, please, I've been ranking you No. 1 since then.

My larger point: LSU is better than Oregon, but Oregon is still good. I'd wager top-10 good, maybe even top-five. The only SEC teams I wouldn't pick the Ducks to beat would be LSU and Alabama. And, Rotfogel, if Oregon loses three more games this year, I'd be completely shocked.

---

DC Dawg from Washington D.C. writes: seriously dude, you gotta get back in touch with your purple and gold side! Cal may actually put up 28 this weekend (though I doubt it), but the Dawgs are gonna put up at least 40. They put up nearly that many on Nebraska, and the Cal defense AIN'T Nebraska. Watch for Polk to get 150 on the ground, and Price to spread the ball all over the yard. I see 3 TDs thru the air and 2 on the ground. Add a couple of Nick Folk FGs and it's good night, not-so-Golden Bears!

Ted Miller: My purple and gold side? You mean this?

Your optimism and enthusiasm is certainly a good thing. So I feel bad sounding like a party pooper.

Cal's defense is better than Nebraska's. Washington scored 30 and 40 points at home against Eastern Washington and Hawaii. I'd be shocked if they hang 40 on the Bears, or if Polk rushes for 150 yards.

But maybe I'll be wrong and get a delicious plate of crow.

---

Matt from Gilbert, Ariz., writes: How do you figure Osweiler is on the spot against USC? That offensive line had no answer for Illinois' blitzing. Sure, Oz held the ball too long on occasion, but that happens when your offensive line commits 5 penalties and gets zero push putting you on constant 2nd- and 3rd-and-long situations. And shame on Erickson for throwing Oz under the bus at his press conference. He's obviously protecting more fragile egos among his (otherwise veteran) offensive line.

Ted Miller: I don't necessarily see my my "On the spot" videos -- an important part of everyone's Wednesday, I'm sure -- as being negative, though they sometimes could be interpreted that way, such as with Washington defensive coordinator Nick Holt, who's made his fanbase restless.

So why did I put Osweiler "on the spot"? Osweiler has become the unquestioned leader of the the Sun Devils. He was the biggest single reason they beat Missouri, and he made a number of key mistakes that cost them at Illinois.

In other words, in two competitive games, it's fair to say the Sun Devils have gone as Osweiler has gone.

That means, with USC coming to town owning an 11-game winning streak against ASU, the Sun Devils will be looking for Osweiler to be more like he was against Missouri and less like he was against Illinois. And, considering I picked the Sun Devils to win, I must think he's going to flourish "on the spot."

---

Roger from The Woodlands, Texas writes: AFTER A YEAR TO THINK ABOUT IT: LEAVING IT AT 12 IS THE RIGHT MOVE Ted,The move to 16 would have been a mistake. Look at the troubles 16 members caused for the old WAC in the mid-1990s. Delusion of quality (on several fronts) was the reasoning for the group that formed the Mountain West. Plus UTexas is toxic. Their self-centeredness ruined the SWC and now the Big 12. We don't need UTexas' baggage or are obligated to solve the Big 12's problems. In many ways you're defined by the company you keep.Besides I don't see the Big 10 ever adding 4 teams without significantly lowering of their standards.Let the Big 10 and Pac 12 make a pact to stay at 12 members, keep the Rose Bowl alliance and let the others continue to trip over themselves trying to catch-up (just like when they created the BCS to compete against a stand-alone Rose Bowl which is still the most compelling naturally created bowl story when it doesn't involve TX schools). THERE IS SOMETHING TO BE SAID ABOUT TRADITION!!!

Ted Miller: Many folks share your thinking. The big question with Texas is -- and will continue to be -- whether it's willing to become an equal part of a strong unified whole, or if will continue to insist on special status. Even if Texas agreed to play by Pac-12 rules today, would it feel the same in, say, five years?

Texas continues to role the dice on its self-regard. We'll see if that works out for it.

As the Pac-12 stands today, it still feels like the Pac-10 to me, in that Utah and Colorado feel like good fits. (Do you guys agree or disagree?). I feel like the expansion that has happened has enhanced the conference, not changed its culture or distinctness

A Pac-16 would make the conference richer, but it would certainly change things. I think it could have worked and worked well, but only if it was formed as a 16-part unified whole, with no special status for any program.

---

Scott from Phoenix writes: I know that this may sound harsh or cold, but what about the idea of the PAC 12 adding OK and OK State and dropping Ore State and Wash State? Both of those universities are in all honesty more set up for a WAC level conference. This way, you could increase the competition of the league and TV revenues....yet not have to deal with Texas. It should also be noted that I am an alum from Oregon State.....even though it might hurt to be dropped, I am realistic about their value.

Ted Miller: Again, the Pac-12 is not going to drop Oregon State and Washington State. Or anyone else.

You do realize that Oregon State won the Fiesta Bowl in 2001 and owns one of the nation's best baseball and gymnastics programs. The Beavers aren't lightweights.

And Washington State has played in two Rose Bowls since 1997. How many conference programs not named USC can claim that?

---

Chris from Tucson writes: would you say that this is the year that Chris Peterson of Boise St. finally gets plucked by a PAC-12 school? Schools like UCLA and Arizona should try and capitalize on the changing landscape in football by getting a coach like Peterson. Arizona or UCLA can guarantee Peterson a spot in football's richest conference and in turn they get a coach who's beaten Oregon and Oklahoma.

Ted Miller: While UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel is on a very hot seat, I don't think Arizona coach Mike Stoops is.

As for Petersen, he's a top-five coach. If UCLA opts to make a change, it should open its bank vaults for him. That would likely mean a $3 or $4 million salary. So we're talking perhaps three times the $1.25 million Neuheisel makes. And Petersen should be guaranteed around $2.5 milion to pay his new staff. Further, he should ask for guarantees on major facilities upgrades.

That is actually not a lot of money in today's FBS culture, particularly when you factor in the cost of living in LA.

Will UCLA make that commitment? My guess is no.

Further, my impression of Petersen is he's not wholly motivated by money. He really seems to love coaching Boise State. And he knows that if the changing college football landscape left Boise State in an untenable position, he'd be able to get his pick of jobs.

USC's Matt Barkley and Arizona State's Brock Osweiler are both juniors and they are both talented quarterbacks, but they are obviously very different.

Barkley is the polished, pedigreed Trojan -- a touted recruit since before his senior year of high school who is almost certain to enter the NFL draft this spring, when he is expected to be picked in the first round.

Osweiler? Only over the past two weeks has his play overshadowed his height, which you might have heard is 6-foot-8.

Osweiler is raw. Basketball was his No. 1 sport growing up. Barkley has been groomed most of his life to be an NFL quarterback. Former USC coach Pete Carroll repeatedly referred to him as an "outlier," Malcolm Gladwell's term for exceptional people, during Barkley's true freshman season.

But if this were a quarterback horserace, Osweiler would be gaining on Barkley. As nice as Barkley's numbers have been, and as impressive as he is throwing the football, he hasn't had many (any?) performances better than Osweiler's against Missouri in Week 2, when the Sun Devil completed 24 of 32 passes for 353 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions and rushed five times for 34 yards and a score against a nationally ranked team. And that was Osweiler's third career start.

Said USC coach Lane Kiffin: "Big, powerful, strong arm. Really is doing a better job of moving to his second and third progressions in his reads than a year ago ... It's shocking to play this well. A big-time NFL talent."

Of course, Osweiler wasn't nearly as in control at Illinois the next week. He completed 25 of 45 passes for 256 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. He again rushed for a score but also fumbled and was sacked six times. Coach Dennis Erickson didn't entirely blame his offensive line for that, either.

"We didn’t get rid of the football," Erickson said. "In our offense, you’ve got to get rid of the football. That’s just part of it. There were times when the ball should’ve been out and it wasn’t out, and we held it and got sacks."

Very few quarterbacks avoid bumps in the road in their development. Barkley certainly can identify during his two-plus years as a starter. During USC's meandering 20-9 record with him under center, he's been spectacular -- three games with five touchdown passes -- and inconsistent, see 27 career interceptions.

At present, Barkley ranks sixth and Osweiler seventh in the Pac-12 in passing efficiency. Will that order stay the same after the Sun Devils and Trojans tangle Saturday, with the No. 1 spot in the Pac-12 South Division on the line (USC isn't eligible for the postseason, so it can't play in the conference championship game)?

While many football players say stats don't matter -- only wins do, Barkley has made no secret that he keeps up with other quarterbacks.

"I definitely have them on the radar," Barkley said in April about other "name" Pac-12 quarterbacks, such as Stanford's Andrew Luck. "I'm aware of them. It is competition. Every quarterback wants to be the best at what they do. When I hear their name, I'm always trying to one-up them."

While Barkley didn't know who Osweiler was then, he probably does now. Osweiler, however, said he doesn't compete with the other Pac-12 quarterbacks. Or he sorta said that.

"Obviously, I know what other quarterbacks are doing around the conference," he said.

The primary focus is inside the locker room. The Sun Devils took the loss at Illinois hard, as they should have since they lost a game they should have won. Nine possessions inside Illinois' territory netted just two touchdowns. They had three turnovers, missed a chip shot field goal, gave up six sacks and had eight penalties in a 17-14 defeat in which they outgained the Illini 362 yards to 240.

"Guys were pretty hurt," Osweiler said. "It was pretty gut wrenching for me. But the positive thing is as hurt and as down as everyone was in the locker room after the game, by the time we hit the buses to go to the airport everyone was like, 'Hey, this one is behind us. We've got USC this week. We're at home. Let's go have a great week of practice.' It was pretty cool to see guys bounce back so quickly."

When asked if some fans might say, "same, old Sun Devils," he added: "A lot of people are looking at this loss like it's the end of the world. It's just one loss early in the season. It's a nonconference game. It's a great learning tool for us."

Learning is about experience, and that's what Osweiler lacks compared to Barkley.

"I don't care how athletic you are or how good you are, experience makes you better," Erickson said. "He'll learn from what happened."

That means getting rid of the football faster against a Trojans defensive line that is more talented than Illinois'.

The Sun Devils seemingly have more to play for. A win over the Trojans would put them in good position in the Pac-12 South, seeing that Utah already lost at USC. It might push them back into the national rankings. It certainly would energize a fan base hungry for success. It would get the critics off Erickson's back.

Oh, and it would end an 11-game losing streak in the series. And yes, that span of futility has come up this week.

"Obviously that talk is going around the building, reminding us how long it has been," Osweiler said.

Ending that streak may come down to Osweiler, the surging new guy, outplaying Barkley, the established star.

Ten issues to consider heading into the fourth week of games.

Pressure Barkley: USC QB Matt Barkley comfortable in the pocket? That's not a good thing for a defense, particularly when he gets to find receiver Robert Woods. USC has allowed just two sacks this year, and Arizona State will be missing its best pass-rusher -- defensive end Junior Onyeali, who's out indefinitely with a knee injury -- so the Sun Devils might need to get creative with blitzes. You know, like they've done with linebacker Vontaze Burfict this year, see four sacks.

Foles on his own? Arizona QB Nick Foles is a heck of a player but he will not beat Oregon on his own. He needs help from the Pac-12's worst running game, its worst defense and an offensive line that has yielded seven sacks.

Washington D needs to step up: Arizona has the worst defense in terms of yards allowed in the conference, but the Huskies are the worst in terms of points surrendered: 36.7 ppg. And the Huskies are 11th in the conference in yards allowed, too. Coordinator Nick Holt is the conference's best paid defensive coordinator (without the last name "Kiffin," at least), and it was widely believed in the preseason that the Huskies had enough talent to be an A-list defense this fall. The early results have been terrible. A visit from California to start the Pac-12 schedule is a heck of an opportunity for Holt and the UW D to reverse their fortunes.

No slow start in the 'Shoe, Colorado: As pointed out by the Boulder Daily Camera: "The Buffs have been outscored 40-20 in the first half in the first three games and 14 of the Buffs' 20 first-half points came against [Colorado State]." It wouldn't be a good idea to fall behind early against Ohio State in the Horseshoe. For one, having lost 19 in a row on the road, it likely wouldn't help the Buffaloes' confidence. Second, Ohio State's grind-it-out offense is much better playing from ahead than playing from behind -- see below.

Brehaut takes over: Richard Brehaut has an opportunity to decisively win the UCLA QB job. He just needs to put up numbers in a victory at Oregon State. Most observers have long felt coach Rick Neuheisel has favored Kevin Prince in the Bruins' seemingly endless QB competition, but Neuheisel will favor the guy who gets him a W. Brehaut should have a chance against the Beavers' pass defense, which is the worst in the Pac-12.

Osweiler bounce back: ASU QB Brock Osweiler was lights out at home against Missouri but he struggled at Illinois. Now he's back home facing USC, which has beaten the Sun Devils 11 consecutive times. Osweiler needs to regain his Missouri form -- or at least approximate it -- in order for Arizona State to jump to the front of the Pac-12 South Division pecking order.

Ducks make statement: After losing to LSU in Cowboys Stadium, which inspired many national pundits to write Oregon off, the Ducks quietly rolled up a pair of dominant wins at home against inferior foes. But now Oregon opens the Pac-12 schedule on ESPN2 with a chance to make a statement: "We're still here." If the Ducks can match -- or eclipse -- Stanford's impressive 37-10 win in Tucson last weekend, they likely will hush some of the doubters.

Zach Maynard's first big road test: The Cal QB has been solid in the Bears' first three games, including winning at Colorado, but playing at Husky Stadium is not something he's done before, certainly not during his days as the starting QB at Buffalo. While the Huskies' defense has been vulnerable, it's also faced three experienced QBs. Expect the Huskies to throw a lot at Maynard, whose biggest weakness in the early going has been accuracy.

Colorado run D vs. Ohio State: Colorado ranks fifth in the Pac-12 in rushing defense, and it will surely gang up on the run at Ohio State. The Buckeyes had only 209 total yards at Miami last weekend, including 35 yards passing. The way to stop the Buckeyes' offense, who completed a dreadful 4 of 18 passes against the Hurricanes, is to force them to throw. Can the Buffs do that?

Mannion the man? While Oregon State redshirt freshman QB Sezan Mannion saw a lot of action in the first two games, this is his first official game as the Beavers' starter. He's going to get some help with receiver James Rodgers and tight end Joe Halahuni returning to action, but it will be up to Mannion to deliver the ball on time and in the right spot against UCLA.

One game doesn't a season make, and Arizona State will find that out if it doesn't arrive at Illinois fully focused and ready to match the intensity it showed against Missouri last week.

Lose, and the national ranking goes away. Lose, and the energized fan base gets grumpy again. Lose, and many will go, "Same old Sun Devils."

"If we play a letdown, then we're not going to win," Arizona State coach Dennis Erickson said.

Truth is, Arizona State can play much better than it did against Missouri. It looked talented enough to run the Tigers off the field in a game that wouldn't have gone into overtime if the Sun Devils weren't so sloppy with turnovers and penalties.

That 37-30 victory, however, was particularly satisfying because the Sun Devils, a team that in recent years had often found ways to lose, found a way to win. Yes, there was a bit of luck, the possession of which -- or the perception of that possession -- is a valuable asset for a team.

"It showed that we found a way to win, and to me, that's what it's all about," Erickson said. "We've lost games like that before and we won this game. Finding a way to get things done is a key to good football teams, and we were able to do that."

The centerpiece of the victory was quarterback Brock Osweiler. While hopes were high for the junior, few expected brilliance, which is what Osweiler produced. He completed 24 of 32 passes for 353 yards with three touchdown passes and no interceptions and rushed five times for 34 yards and a score. He presently ranks 10th in the nation in passing efficiency.

"He understands what's going on as far as where to go with the football and he's been very accurate," Erickson said.

But, again, can he duplicate -- or simply approach -- those numbers a week later on the road? The Illinois defense is questionable, but so too -- surprisingly -- is Arizona State's. Missouri quarterback James Franklin hurt Arizona State passing and running, and the Sun Devils tackled poorly.

The Illini also feature an athletic quarterback in Nathan Scheelhaase. He's not as physical a runner as Franklin, but he's far more experienced. He rushed for 868 yards in 2010 and passed for 17 touchdowns. Further, Illinois' offensive coordinator is Paul Petrino, brother of Bobby, Arkansas' coach and evil genius of offense. The Missouri film should provide him plenty of information about the Sun Devils, while the Sun Devils likely won't get much from Illinois' previous two games: Arkansas State and South Dakota State.

For the Illini, the Sun Devils arrive as Missouri did in Tempe last week: A measuring stick for a home team that believes its top-25 caliber.

"They're kind of in the same situation that we're in," Erickson said. "If you look at them a year ago, I think they were 6-6, went to a bowl game. [Coach Ron Zook] feels like he has a football team that can compete for the championship there, so they're kind of in a similar situation that we're in. If you watch them on tape and the returners that they have, they're very talented. We've got our hands full, and our players know that. "

Erickson also could have noted that, not unlikely himself, Zook, too, is on the hot seat.

The Sun Devils have a veteran team, most of whom saw action in a what-might-have-been loss at Wisconsin last year. They know about playing in unfamiliar, hostile environments.

But they haven't proven anything yet. Erickson was asked about moving past the Missouri game.

"You don't have much time to celebrate anything," he said.

That's because celebrating is what you do at the end of a successful season. There's a long way to go until party time for the Sun Devils.

Ten issues to consider heading into the third week of games.

1. Luck versus Foles: Both Andrew Luck and Nick Foles are mature starters with lots of skills with NFL futures. They won't spend a lot of time comparing stats during the game, but it's hard to imagine both are completely uninterested in the other and how he performs. Quarterbacks study other quarterbacks. While both these guys want to win above all else, they'd also like to walk away with a better looking stat sheet than the other. Luck has a better running game and a better defense supporting him. Foles has better receivers. Who ends up with the best efficiency rating, oh and the W?

2. Nebraska's O-line versus Washington's D-line: The Cornhuskers offensive line is billed as perhaps the youngest in program history, with a freshman and two sophomore starters. And the 'Huskers 2010 O-line lost the battle with the Huskies D-line in the Holiday Bowl, rushing for just 91 yards. UW's 333-pound DT Alameda Ta'amu, in particular, dominated inside. While the Huskies pass defense has been suspect so far, the run defense is another story, ranking seventh in the nation. UW is talented and experienced up front. Nebraska is a run-first team, and quarterback Taylor Martinez is much more comfortable running than passing. While the Huskies pass defense, again, has been poor, coordinator Nick Holt certainly would feel better about his unit's chances if Martinez is forced to throw downfield to move the ball.

3. Osweiler's encore? Arizona State quarterback Brock Osweiler was a tour de force in the win over Missouri, passing for 353 yards and three touchdowns and rushing for 34 yards and a score. Also, he projects confidence and is a vocal leader. The Sun Devils will be challenged to match the intensity they showed against Missouri on the road at Illinois. That's where Osweiler's leadership comes in. He needs to rally the locker room and make sure distraction and complacency don't take root. It would be nice if he played like he did against Missouri, too.

4. Can UCLA run against Texas? Texas' defense has been stout in the first two games. It held BYU to just a field goal in the second half. It's yielding just 86.5 yard rushing per game. In the Bruins upset victory last year, the Longhorns couldn't stop UCLA's pistol offense, which raked up 264 yards on the ground. The Bruins are still a run-first team with a questionable passing game. But it will be much easier to throw downfield if the running game is gashing the Longhorns and giving them a sense of déjà vu.

5. Washington State's defense makes a stand? The Cougars defense has been outstanding so far, and it's particularly encouraging that it has been stout against the run, which hasn't been the case for three years. But Idaho State and UNLV are terrible, and San Diego State is not. In fact, it has two NFL prospects leading the offense in quarterback Ryan Lindley and running back Ronnie Hillman. Both put up huge numbers in 2010, and they will challenge the Cougs with a potent pass-run balance. Want to know if the Cougs D is for real? This game will tell. And if the D passes the test, Washington State should win because it should be able to score plenty of points against the Aztecs.

6. Rodney Stewart gets going: Colorado ranks 114th in the nation in rushing even though it has an A-list running back in Stewart. While the passing game has been impressive, coach Jon Embree is not the sort to abandon the run and surrender balance. Colorado State gave up 150 yards rushing to New Mexico. You'd think the Buffs can at least match that, even with a injury-riddled offensive line. And if Stewart gets going, that will open up chances for quarterback Tyler Hansen to find wide receiver Paul Richardson over the top.

7. Pin your ears back, Trojans: Despite a soft schedule featuring Wake Forest and Rhode Island, Syracuse ranks 107th in the nation in rushing (78.5 yards per game). While Ryan Nassib is a nice quarterback, life won't be easy for him against a strong Trojans pass rush if he's got no running game to keep the defense honest. He's already been sacked four times, and his offensive line hasn't seen the likes of the Trojans front four.

8. Rediscover the run, Utes: While Jordan Wynn is a gamer, he looked significantly better at USC than in the season opener. But he's not the sort who can win a game alone, at least not while he's still regaining his shoulder strength after surgery. He needs a running game, which he didn't have against USC. BYU plays tough defense, but the Utes need to establish a run threat and some offensive balance to make life easier for Wynn, both in terms of opening up the downfield passing game and protecting Wynn's surgically repaired shoulder.

9. Road tough? Good teams win on the road, and good conferences have teams that consistently win on the road. Utah, Arizona State, Washington and Washington State each can make statements for themselves and for the Pac-12 if they take care of business in hostile environments. None are favored to do so. If the conference goes 3-1 in these games, it will significantly bolster the conference's Q-rating nationally. Oh, and its computer rating in the BCS standings.

10. Oregon and California? Oregon plays Missouri State and California plays Presbyterian. What to watch? Something else.