ESPN College Football

A good kicker solves a lot of problems. An inconsistent one makes everyone anxious, particularly late in tight games.

The Pac-10 will feature two of the best kickers in the nation -- two Lou Groza Award winners, no less -- in 2010, but for a handful of schools, the position is questionable.

So, who stands where?

Great shape

• UCLA: Kai Forbath is the best kicker in the country. The first-team All-American and 2009 Groza Award winner is practically automatic, even outside 50 yards.
• Arizona State: Thomas Weber suffered through a lost 2009 season because of injuries, but when healthy the 2007 Groza Award winner is a potential All-American.
• Oregon State: Justin Kahut earned second-team All-Pac-10 honors in 2009 after converting 22 of 27 field goals with a long of 50 yards.
• Washington: Erik Folk bounced back from two injury-plagued years to connect on 18 of 21 field goals in 2009.

Good shape

• Stanford: Nate Whitaker made 16 of 22 field goals last year, which is solid, but his 54-yarder against Wake Forest was the longest in the conference last season.
• Arizona: As a sophomore, Alex Zendejas was true on 17 of 22 field goals with a long of 47 yards.

We'll see

• California: Cal used two kickers last season -- Giorgio Tavecchio and Vincenzo D'Amato -- but neither was consistent.
• Washington State: Nico Grasu was solid in 2008 -- booting the game-winner in the "Crapple" Cup against Washington -- but he faded in 2009, missing the final four games with a thigh injury.
• Oregon: The Ducks are replacing the reliable Morgan Flint. Rob Beard and incoming freshman Alejandro Maldonado are the top candidates for the spot.
• USC: Unproven seniors Joe Houston and Jacob Harfman are competing to replace Jordan Congdon, the seventh-best kicker in the conference in 2009.

At what position is the Pac-10 deep? At what position in the Pac-10 thin? Here's the third of three parts taking a look at just that.

Deep: Specialists

Why is it deep? Eight teams welcome back both their punter and kicker, and many of them are quite happy about that. Three conference kickers ranked among the top-20 in field goals per game, while three punters ranked in the top 21. No team is replacing both specialists. Oregon is replacing kicker Morgan Flint and USC is replacing kicker Jordan Congdon, who ranked fifth and seventh, respectively, in field goals per game in 2009.

The big names: Start with two Lou Groza Award winning kickers: UCLA's Kai Forbath (2009) and Arizona State's Thomas Weber (2007). Then there's Oregon State's Justin Kahut, who made 22 of 27 field goals with a long of 50, and Washington's Erik Folk, who was 18 for 21 with a long of 48. As for the punters, Arizona State's Trevor Hankins ranked No. 1 in the Pac-10 and 10th in the nation in punting (44.2 yards per punt), while UCLA's Jeff Locke (43.6) was 16th in the nation and Washington State's Reid Forrest (43.2) was 21st. Oh, and California's Bryan Anger might have the biggest foot of everyone; he dropped a conference-high 24 punts inside the 20 last year.

Thin: Linebacker

Why is it thin? Four of the six linebackers who made up the first and second All-Pac-10 teams are gone as are five of the 11 LBs who earned honorable mention. Only two teams -- USC and Oregon -- welcome back all of their starting LBs from 2009, and a big story this spring was the Trojans lack of depth at the position, while the Ducks moved Eddie Pleasant to safety (in large part because of depth at the position). Arizona is replacing all three starting linebackers, while Arizona State, Oregon State and UCLA only have one returning starter at the position (though the Beavers outside linebacker platoon of Dwight Roberson and Keith Pankey probably should count as more than one starter).

Fill the void? This is not a "strength" position, but the cupboard is hardly empty: UCLA's Akeem Ayers, California's Mike Mohamed and Arizona State's Vontaze Burfict are All-American candidates, while Oregon's Casey Matthews earned second-team All-Pac-10 honors in 2009 and Washington's Mason Foster is a likely breakout player. The Ducks, in particular, are fast and deep at linebacker, while the Sun Devils aren't far behind in terms of young talent.

Fourth in a series looking at lineup holes that are important even if they don't make headlines.

Oregon

Everybody is talking about: Take a guess. When a team loses a potential Heisman Trophy candidate at quarterback, particularly in the sad and embarrassing way the Ducks lost Jeremiah Masoli for the 2010 season, the player who will step into replace him -- senior Nate Costa or sophomore Darron Thomas -- becomes a big deal.

Bigger shoes than you think: Tight end Ed Dickson

Oregon remains one of the conference's most veteran teams, at least in terms of returning starters: Including Masoli, it only lost six starters from its Rose Bowl squad. If things had remained as they should have -- Masoli deciding not to break into a fraternity and steal things -- this would have been about losing defensive end Will Tukuafu. Or maybe kicker Morgan Flint. But Masoli's departure makes Dickson's exit to the NFL even more important. Why? New starting quarterbacks tend to love veteran tight ends, particularly speedy ones who are 6-foot-5. It's a case of, when in doubt in the pocket, find the biggest guy out there wearing the same color jersey (which, for the Ducks, could mean lots of colors, of course). Even for Masoli, Dickson was a prime target, tying for the team lead with six touchdowns and ranking second with 42 receptions for 551 yards in 2009. And with the next quarterback less likely to run, having a variety of targets in the passing game will be critical.

Who's stepping in: Junior David Paulson did some nice things last year as Dickson's backup, catching 12 passes for 185 yards. He's got good hands and is a solid blocker and a better-than-you'd-think overall athlete. Still, a team needs more than one tight end and there are a couple of new guys who could push Paulson for the starting job. JC transfer Brandon Williams arrived in January. He had 56 receptions for 908 yards and seven touchdowns for Joliet Junior College. Also, incoming freshman Curtis White is one of the Ducks most celebrated recruits. He'll almost certainly be in the mix in the fall.

Oregon kicker Rob Beard has been charged with fourth-degree assault, a misdemeanor, for his role in a Jan. 24 brawl in which he was knocked unconscious and suffered facial injuries that required surgery, according to the Eugene Register-Guard.

Eugene police cited Beard, 19, for assaulting a 19-year-old woman during the fight, which reportedly involved 20 to 40 people, the newspaper reported.

Two students from a nearby community college previously were charged with second-degree assault for causing Beard's injuries.

Beard joined the fight, according to police, in order to help teammate Mike Bowlin. Bowlin, also a kicker, left the Ducks earlier this week.

A release from the Eugene police department provided no additional details and said the case remains under investigation.

Beard, Oregon's kickoff specialist in 2009, is expected to compete for the Ducks' starting kicking job, though it is unclear whether he will be able to participate in spring practices, which begin March 30, while recovering from his injuries. The Ducks must replace kicker Morgan Flint.

Oregon welcomes back a heap of talent next year -- just four starters and kicker Morgan Flint depart -- and Ducks media and fans are already looking ahead.

Why the obsessive interest? Well, Oregon is certain to be ranked in the preseason top-10. Perhaps higher. Guess here is the Ducks will fall into the preseason rankings between No. 5 and No. 8.

Here are three looks at what figures to be next year's depth chart: One, two and three.

A couple of things stand out.

First, Oregon will be much better at receiver next year. By the end of the season, Jeff Maehl was a top-flight Pac-10 receiver and the young talent is promising. Replacing tight end Ed Dickson won't be easy, but the Ducks have speed and size to catch the ball next year.

That's the offensive wrinkle that was missing in the Rose Bowl. When the spread-option isn't working, quarterback Jeremiah Masoli must be able to loosen things up by throwing downfield. He's shown he can when asked to -- right, California? -- but that needs to be a consistent part of the arsenal.

Second, if there is an area of concern, it's the defensive line. That's why that recent defection of previously committed, stud D-line recruit Dominique Easley to Florida ruffled some feathers.

Oregon needs some big, physical bodies to line up inside. It's hard to win a national title without a disruptive defensive line. Moreover, the Ducks aren't big at linebacker -- they need up-front protection.

Because national championship is what the Ducks are thinking, right?

If you look up and down that depth chart -- not just the starters, the entire two-deep -- and you see a lot of promise.

But promise never won a game. Recall, we saw a lot of promise with Cal's depth chart heading into the 2009 season.

How'd that turn out?

TUCSON, Ariz. -- There were big plays. There were strange plays. There were seemingly huge gaffes that really didn't mean much. An Oregon cheerleader got knocked out by a water bottle hurled from the stands. There were expectant Arizona fans on the field, encircling this drama like a red ribbon, who ended up standing in stunned silence after Oregon quarterback Jeremiah Masoli generated his sixth and final touchdown to conclude the second overtime of this thrilling and nearly four-hour evening.

"It got quiet really fast," Masoli said after Oregon prevailed 44-41 and took one step closer to its first Rose Bowl since the 1994 season.

Masoli scored three touchdowns running, including a 1-yard carry that won it. He also passed for three touchdowns, including an 8-yard toss that tied the score with six seconds left in regulation.

Oregon jumped to a 14-0 lead. Then Arizona scored 24 unanswered points. Both defenses were in control at times. And at times, both offenses seemed unstoppable. The score then was knotted at 24, 31 and 38, at which point Arizona's field goal in the second overtime fell short of the Ducks touchdown.

Both teams had 22 first downs. Oregon's 459 total yards was just 18 more than the Wildcats. It was about as closely contested as a game can be.

"There's nothing to be ashamed of," said Arizona quarterback Nick Foles, who passed for 314 yards and four touchdowns.

But the mood in the two locker rooms couldn't have been more different.

"I have no words for it," said jubilant Oregon running back LaMichael James, who rushed for 117 yards and set a new Pac-10 freshman rushing record with 1,310 yards.

The 11th-ranked Ducks (9-2, 7-1) now pause for a moment to collect themselves and before beginning earnest preparation for a Civil War showdown with Oregon State on Dec. 3 that has very simple stakes: The winner goes to the Rose Bowl.

James, by the way, broke the record Oregon State running back Jacquizz Rodgers set last year.

The Wildcats (6-4, 4-3), meanwhile, will try to regroup for a visit to archrival Arizona State on Saturday.

Said Arizona's senior safety Cam Nelson, "I can sit here and say we're not going to let it [get us down] but at the end of the day, we all know it is. It's something that is going to stick with us the rest of our lives knowing we let this opportunity slip out of our hands. I can sit here and say 'no, we're going to put it behind us,' but I'm not."

Some game oddities:

• Arizona kicker Alex Zendejas made a career-long 47-yard field goal just before the half, despite two timeouts from Oregon coach Chip Kelly intended to ice him. After which, he jawed at the Ducks sideline with amusing abandon. He also missed a 24-yard chip shot in the third quarter.
• Oregon kicker Morgan Flint tied the game at 24-24 in the fourth quarter when his line-drive field goal bounced off the crossbar and decided to go through the uprights anyway.
• Arizona receiver David Douglas fumbled right before he scored a touchdown in the first quarter, but Juron Criner turned a short bubble screen into a 71-yard touchdown despite seeming to be surrounded the entire run.

Perhaps most curious was when Kelly decided to go for a fourth-and-4 from his 45-yard line with 6:26 left with Arizona ahead 31-24. The Ducks failed to convert, at which point the Wildcats fans started their plan to storm the field.

"We never flinched," Kelly said, bringing up the call before he was even asked about it. "I went for it on fourth down because I was confident we could get a stop and get another chance."

Which is exactly what happened. Foles threw his only interception in the end zone on a third and 16 play from the Ducks 40, which mostly functioned as a punt.

Masoli and company took over with 3:11 left.

"That's a lot of time for us," Kelly said.

Oregon went 80 yards in 15 plays. It converted a third-and-11 from the Arizona 46 with an 18-yard run up the middle from James. It converted on a fourth-and-4 from the Wildcats 22 with a 7-yard pass from Masoli to Jeff Maehl, who had a career-best 12 receptions for 114 yards with two touchdowns.

The drive was vintage Masoli. A little out-of-control. A little unconventional. Lots of things getting made up as he went along.

"He's unflappable," Kelly said. "Nothing bothers him."

That take was seconded by Arizona defensive coordinator Mark Stoops.

"The plays he made in critical situations are remarkable," he said.

It was a remarkable game that was worthy of simplifying what had been a complicated Pac-10 race.

A Civil War on Dec. 3 will send one Oregon program to the Rose Bowl.

Posted by ESPN.com's Ted Miller

STANFORD, Calif. -- It's a spectacular fall day at Stanford Stadium, but the recent news for the Cardinal hasn't been terribly sunny.

The loss of linebacker Clinton Snyder, a four-year starter, to a season-ending knee injury this week is not good news at any time. And too bad for Snyder who's labored away during down times and now will miss a potential bowl berth.

With Oregon coming to town, fresh off a 47-20 dismantling of USC, a big hole in the middle of the defense -- physically and emotionally -- doesn't bode well for Stanford. The Cardinal are going to need their best to slow Jeremiah Masoli, LaMichael James and the jet-fueled Ducks offense.

How the heck is Stanford going to stop these guys?

Stanford has struggled this year against fast teams. Oregon is the fastest team it has and will face. Heck, Oregon is probably as fast as any team in the nation.

Maybe Stanford's power-rushing attack plays ball-control keep-away. But can the defense, which will use fullback Owen Marecic in Snyder's stead -- yeah, he's going both ways -- force Oregon to make mistakes? The Cardinal has gathered only eight turnovers the entire season.

Oh, and that Cardinal offense is facing the Pac-10's No. 1 defense, one that's forced 20 turnovers this season.

Special teams? Both teams are outstanding on that front. And the Ducks might even be a bit better there, based on kicker Morgan Flint and a better punt return game.

It seems there's no margin for error if Stanford is going to pull the upset.

Still, there are obvious elements for an upset to take place.

• Oregon could be flat after its celebrated, emotional win over USC.
• Stanford could off-set Oregon's speed with its power.
• Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck could have a monster game. Or maybe that could be running back Toby Gerhart.
• It's hard to go unbeaten in the Pac-10. USC did it in 2004 and 2005. UCLA in 1997-98. Odds are not great Oregon won't slip again before season's end.
• And, you know, Stanford has some history in the upset department. The Cardinal ruined the Ducks' perfect season in 2001. They also stunned a 41-point favorite a few years back, you may recall.

Still, for those of us who have watched Oregon gradually grow into the juggernaut that dominated USC last weekend, it's hard not to expect to the Ducks to emerge with a victory.

Posted by ESPN.com's Ted Miller

Oregon running back LaMichael James, California linebacker Mike Mohamed and Oregon State kicker Justin Kahut are the Pac-10 players of the week.

James, a freshman from Texarkana, Texas, rushed 24 times for 183 yards (7.6-yard average) and a touchdown in the Ducks 47-20 win over USC. The 183 yards rushing is a school freshman record.

Mohamed, a junior from Brawley, Calif., had a game-high 12 tackles, 11 solo, in the Bears 23-21 win at Arizona State. Mohamed leads the Pac-10 in tackles at 9.2 stops per game.

Kahut, a junior from Portland, Ore., accounted for 14 of Oregon State’s 26 points in the Beavers’ 26-19 win against UCLA. Kahut was good on 4-of-5 field goal attempts, connecting from 48, 42, 27 and 31 yards (his miss came from 47 yards), and made both his PAT attempts.

Also nominated for offensive player of the week honors were wide receiver James Rodgers of Oregon State and quarterbacks Kevin Riley of California and Kevin Prince of UCLA. Also nominated on defense was tackle Stephen Paea of Oregon State and, for special teams play, were punter Bryan Anger of California and place kicker Morgan Flint of Oregon.

Posted by ESPN.com's Ted Miller

Oregon senior tight end Ed Dickson, Arizona senior cornerback Devin Ross and Stanford sophomore kick returner Chris Owusu are the Pac-10 Players of the Week.

Dickson caught a career-high 11 receptions for 148 yards and three touchdowns, which covered 26, 9 and 36 yards in Oregon’s 42-3 win over sixth-ranked California. He also was named National Offensive Player of the Week by the Walter Camp Football Foundation.

Ross had a game-high 12 tackles -- seven solo -- and picked off a pass in the waning moments to seal the Wildcats’ 37-32 win at Oregon State.

Owusu returned the opening kickoff 91 yards for a touchdown in Stanford’s 34-14 win against Washington. It marked the second week in a row Owusu returned the game’s opening kickoff for a touchdown. In just four games, Owusu has returned three kickoffs for touchdowns, which ties the Pac-10 single season record (Anthony Davis, USC, 1974, and Matthew Slater, UCLA, 2007). Owusu leads the nation in kickoff returns with a flashy 59.2-yard average.

Also nominated for offensive player of the week honors were quarterback Nick Foles of Arizona, wide receiver Damian Williams of USC and running backs Toby Gerhart of Stanford and Dimitri Nance of Arizona State. Also nominated on defense were linebackers Clinton Snyder of Stanford and Michael Morgan of USC, safety Jarrell Holman of Arizona State and end Kenny Rowe of Oregon. Also nominated for special teams play were punters Keenyn Crier of Arizona and Jacob Harfman of USC and kicker Morgan Flint of Oregon.