Pac-12: Owen Marecic
Eleventh in a series looking at potential dream and nightmare scenarios for all Pac-12 teams.
Understand: These are not predictions. They are extreme scenarios and pieces of fiction. You can read last season's versions here.
We're going in reverse order of my post-spring power rankings (which might not be identical to my preseason power rankings).
Up next: Stanford
Best case
Stanford doesn't look like it misses Jim Harbaugh much, and rumors about this Andrew Luck guy being pretty good at playing quarterback turn out to be true.
Luck throws six touchdown passes in the Cardinal's first two games, but as big a story is the defense, which pitches a pair of shutouts against San Jose State and at Duke.
At Arizona, Luck throws for two touchdowns and runs for another -- the Cardinal rushed for 225 yards -- in a 38-17 win. The Cardinal heads into the bye week ranked fifth.
"So I was sitting around with Shayne Skov watching TV and the talking heads were talking about balancing the budget," Luck says during his weekly sit-down with reporters. "So Shayne and I got to talking about it. We ordered a pizza and got out some graph paper and in about 90 minutes we figured out how to balance the budget without cutting Social Security or Medicare."
"Or defense!" Skov adds.
"Oh, Shayne! Always thinking about defense," Luck says through a laugh. "We had to raise taxes. But we found out a perfect way to do that: We'll only raise taxes on people who are jerks. That's where Moose and David come in."
Offensive linemen Jonathan Martin and David DeCastro join the news conference. Says Martin, "It's a simple, painless blood test David and I came up with in the lab. It immediately recognizes who is a jerk and who isn't with 100 percent accuracy. We've been testing it for a year."
"Did you test it on Oregon coach Chip Kelly?" a reporter asks.
"Yes," DeCastro says. "Not a jerk. His millions are safe."
"So can you give us any names of jerks?" the reporter asks. Luck, Skov, Martin and DeCastro exchange amused glances.
"We tested it on a certain Pac-12 blogger from ESPN.com," Martin says. "Thanks for helping balance the budget, Miller."
Stanford blows out UCLA, Colorado, Washington State and Washington. It rises to No. 3.
"Luck has thrown for 20 touchdown passes and run for five more through seven games," ESPN's Chris Fowler said."Along the way, he balanced the budget. Is there anything he can't do?"
"And don't forget, he made the Kardashians, the cast from the Jersey Shore and all of the housewives who appear on shows calling them housewives spontaneously disappear from the collective cultural consciousness of the nation," replies Kirk Herbstreit. "It's not easy to make this country smarter, but he did it."
"I don't know what you're talking about -- did you see 'The Real Scientists of Harvard' last night?" Fowler replies. "Riveting."
Stanford trails No. 10 USC by two with 58 seconds remaining, but a 25-yard Luck scramble sets up the winning field goal.
"Students claim they saw me walking on Lake Lagunita?" Luck says. "No. That's silly."
Stanford beats Oregon State 42-10, setting up a marquee showdown with top-ranked Oregon.
Oregon explodes out of the gate, scoring touchdowns on its first three possessions. Luck has a sure touchdown pass dropped, and the Cardinal lose two fumbles, including one from Luck, just his third turnover of the season. At halftime, Oregon leads 24-3.
Poised, polished, Stanford-educated first-year Cardinal coach David Shaw goes ballistic in the locker room. "&$%#@," he says, then adds. "&%@#."
He calms himself. "We are letting ourselves down. We are letting our families down. We are letting our fans down. I let you down in the first half because we weren't ready to play. We are all accountable here. So it's simple. We redeem ourselves one play at a time. If we each put everything we have into every play, one after the other, we win this game. Now go out there and @*&^% do it!"
But with 12 seconds left, the Cardinal still trails by four. On fourth and eight from the Ducks 38, Luck drops back, then ducks under a sack attempt from Dion Jordan and sprints to his right. He shakes off Brandon Hanna, reverses course back across the field to his left. Looking, looking. He sets. Fires. Coby Fleener in the corner of the endzone. Touchdown. Clock hits zero.
On Monday, Stanford is the No. 2 team in the land.
The highlight of the throw will be spooled endlessly for an entire week, broken down from every angle.
"It was a laser -- seemingly never more than 10 feet off the ground for roughly 49 yards of flight," Herbstreit says.
"See how he sets here ... look at the vision ... he picks up Fleener here and releases," says ESPN draft guru Todd McShay, frenetically telestrating. "There is no margin for error, but see how committed he is? Total confidence. Nothing tentative. He just threads it through one of the best secondaries in the country and puts it in the only place Fleener and no one else can catch it. Extraordinary."
The Cardinal hands California its seventh loss of the season, ensuring no postseason for the Bears for a second-consecutive year. The Axe stays in Palo Alto.
"I know this might be an unpopular position on the West Coast," says an East Coast college football analysis. "But when you get down to it, Stanford really hasn't beaten anybody. I know Oregon beat LSU and everything but the Tigers didn't have their starting quarterback, and Alabama whipped LSU pretty good. Luck has put up big numbers against weak Pac-12 defenses. I think he and Stanford struggle against Notre Dame, to me a far more physical team."
Stanford rolls the eighth-ranked Fighting Irish 40-10. It then wins the Pac-12 championship game 30-28 over Arizona State when Luck muscles through a tackle attempt from Vontaze Burfict on a scramble for the game-winning touchdown.
Stanford earns a berth in the national championship game opposite Alabama.
"I know this might be an unpopular position on the West Coast," says an East Coast college football analysis. "But when you get down to it, Stanford really hasn't beaten anybody. I know Oregon beat LSU and everything but the Tigers didn't have their starting quarterback, and Alabama whipped LSU pretty good. Notre Dame? The Irish aren't any good. Luck has put up big numbers against weak Pac-12 defenses. I think he and Stanford struggles against the Crimson Tide, to me a far more physical team."
Luck wins the Heisman Trophy by the largest margin in the award's history.
"You're probably wondering why I've brought what looks like a chemistry set to the lectern here," Luck says after receiving the award. "But my outstanding receiver Chris Owusu and I were sitting around one day and we wondered why no one had created a device that could quickly and inexpensively convert sand into fresh, potable water. This is neat. Watch!"
Stanford whips Alabama 33-17 and wins the national championship with a perfect, 14-0 season. Luck wins game MVP.
"So, Andrew, what are you going to do before the NFL draft," a reporter asks.
"Glad you're curious," Luck says. "Well, Owen Marecic was in town the other day and we got to talking, and you know what really, really bothers us?"
Everybody waits.
"Cancer."
Worst case
Stanford and Luck looked dominant during a 2-0 start. That was not the case at Arizona, where the Cardinal faced a team armed with a talented secondary and a hunger for revenge.
Wildcats quarterback Nick Foles outplays Luck, throwing for 405 yards and four touchdowns in a 40-35 victory, his completely rebuilt offensive line muting the Cardinal defensive front. Stanford's three new offensive linemen struggle to protect Luck, while its rebuilt receiving corps struggle to get open.
Luck and the Cardinal bounce back with five consecutive victories, with Luck throwing for 10 touchdowns during the streak to put himself back in the Heisman Trophy race. Stanford rises back to 12th in the country and heads to USC for a marquee matchup with the 10th-ranked Trojans, who are fresh off a win over Notre Dame.
But USC quarterback Matt Barkley, with a superior supporting cast of receivers, outplays Luck, throwing for 295 yards and three scores in a 31-28 victory.
"It's a lesson we've learned before but it frequently comes back to remind us," says Fowler. "One guy can't do it all. It's hard to do great things as a quarterback when your line isn't protecting you and your receivers aren't good enough to get open and make plays."
"And injuries," replies Herbstreit. "The Cardinal has taken some injury hits and they don't seem to have the depth to overcome them, at least at the level of a top-10 team."
The Cardinal wins at Oregon State. Up next: No. 1 Oregon.
Not unlike the 2010 game, Luck and Stanford start quickly and lead at halftime. And not unlike the 2010 game, the Ducks roll in the second half. The stadium is less than half-full when the clock hits zero on a 48-31 Oregon win.
"Sure, we've had some tough times this season," says Luck, who's been sacked 19 times, six more times than he was the previous two seasons combined. "But keeping the Axe would make up for a lot."
But resurgent Cal gets a sterling performance from quarterback Zach Maynard in a 28-24 win. Maynard scrambles in from 18 yards for the winning score with three minutes left.
Stanford beats Notre Dame in the season-finale and earns a berth in the Sun Bowl, where it loses to Clemson, 28-24, to finish 8-5.
Not long ago, that would have been a successful season. But the headline in the Stanford Daily tells the new story: "Is Shaw up to replacing Harbaugh?"
Cal ends up 11-2 and ranked ninth after beating Texas 45-3 in the Alamo Bowl.
"The balance of power has shifted back North, as it should," crows Cal linebacker Mychal Kendricks, not typically one to crow.
After Stanford loses its bowl game, offensive linemen Jonathan Martin and David DeCastro as well as linebackers Shayne Skov and Chase Thomas opt to join Luck in the NFL draft a year early.
Stanford's recruiting class ends up ranked eighth in the Pac-12, six spots below Cal.
Cal eclipses Stanford on the National University Ranking from US News & World Report.
Understand: These are not predictions. They are extreme scenarios and pieces of fiction. You can read last season's versions here.
We're going in reverse order of my post-spring power rankings (which might not be identical to my preseason power rankings).
Up next: Stanford
Best case
Stanford doesn't look like it misses Jim Harbaugh much, and rumors about this Andrew Luck guy being pretty good at playing quarterback turn out to be true.
Luck throws six touchdown passes in the Cardinal's first two games, but as big a story is the defense, which pitches a pair of shutouts against San Jose State and at Duke.
At Arizona, Luck throws for two touchdowns and runs for another -- the Cardinal rushed for 225 yards -- in a 38-17 win. The Cardinal heads into the bye week ranked fifth.
"So I was sitting around with Shayne Skov watching TV and the talking heads were talking about balancing the budget," Luck says during his weekly sit-down with reporters. "So Shayne and I got to talking about it. We ordered a pizza and got out some graph paper and in about 90 minutes we figured out how to balance the budget without cutting Social Security or Medicare."
"Or defense!" Skov adds.
"Oh, Shayne! Always thinking about defense," Luck says through a laugh. "We had to raise taxes. But we found out a perfect way to do that: We'll only raise taxes on people who are jerks. That's where Moose and David come in."
Offensive linemen Jonathan Martin and David DeCastro join the news conference. Says Martin, "It's a simple, painless blood test David and I came up with in the lab. It immediately recognizes who is a jerk and who isn't with 100 percent accuracy. We've been testing it for a year."
"Did you test it on Oregon coach Chip Kelly?" a reporter asks.
"Yes," DeCastro says. "Not a jerk. His millions are safe."
"So can you give us any names of jerks?" the reporter asks. Luck, Skov, Martin and DeCastro exchange amused glances.
"We tested it on a certain Pac-12 blogger from ESPN.com," Martin says. "Thanks for helping balance the budget, Miller."
Stanford blows out UCLA, Colorado, Washington State and Washington. It rises to No. 3.
"Luck has thrown for 20 touchdown passes and run for five more through seven games," ESPN's Chris Fowler said."Along the way, he balanced the budget. Is there anything he can't do?"
"And don't forget, he made the Kardashians, the cast from the Jersey Shore and all of the housewives who appear on shows calling them housewives spontaneously disappear from the collective cultural consciousness of the nation," replies Kirk Herbstreit. "It's not easy to make this country smarter, but he did it."
"I don't know what you're talking about -- did you see 'The Real Scientists of Harvard' last night?" Fowler replies. "Riveting."
Stanford trails No. 10 USC by two with 58 seconds remaining, but a 25-yard Luck scramble sets up the winning field goal.
"Students claim they saw me walking on Lake Lagunita?" Luck says. "No. That's silly."
Stanford beats Oregon State 42-10, setting up a marquee showdown with top-ranked Oregon.
Oregon explodes out of the gate, scoring touchdowns on its first three possessions. Luck has a sure touchdown pass dropped, and the Cardinal lose two fumbles, including one from Luck, just his third turnover of the season. At halftime, Oregon leads 24-3.
Poised, polished, Stanford-educated first-year Cardinal coach David Shaw goes ballistic in the locker room. "&$%#@," he says, then adds. "&%@#."
He calms himself. "We are letting ourselves down. We are letting our families down. We are letting our fans down. I let you down in the first half because we weren't ready to play. We are all accountable here. So it's simple. We redeem ourselves one play at a time. If we each put everything we have into every play, one after the other, we win this game. Now go out there and @*&^% do it!"
But with 12 seconds left, the Cardinal still trails by four. On fourth and eight from the Ducks 38, Luck drops back, then ducks under a sack attempt from Dion Jordan and sprints to his right. He shakes off Brandon Hanna, reverses course back across the field to his left. Looking, looking. He sets. Fires. Coby Fleener in the corner of the endzone. Touchdown. Clock hits zero.
On Monday, Stanford is the No. 2 team in the land.
The highlight of the throw will be spooled endlessly for an entire week, broken down from every angle.
"It was a laser -- seemingly never more than 10 feet off the ground for roughly 49 yards of flight," Herbstreit says.
"See how he sets here ... look at the vision ... he picks up Fleener here and releases," says ESPN draft guru Todd McShay, frenetically telestrating. "There is no margin for error, but see how committed he is? Total confidence. Nothing tentative. He just threads it through one of the best secondaries in the country and puts it in the only place Fleener and no one else can catch it. Extraordinary."
The Cardinal hands California its seventh loss of the season, ensuring no postseason for the Bears for a second-consecutive year. The Axe stays in Palo Alto.
"I know this might be an unpopular position on the West Coast," says an East Coast college football analysis. "But when you get down to it, Stanford really hasn't beaten anybody. I know Oregon beat LSU and everything but the Tigers didn't have their starting quarterback, and Alabama whipped LSU pretty good. Luck has put up big numbers against weak Pac-12 defenses. I think he and Stanford struggle against Notre Dame, to me a far more physical team."
Stanford rolls the eighth-ranked Fighting Irish 40-10. It then wins the Pac-12 championship game 30-28 over Arizona State when Luck muscles through a tackle attempt from Vontaze Burfict on a scramble for the game-winning touchdown.
Stanford earns a berth in the national championship game opposite Alabama.
"I know this might be an unpopular position on the West Coast," says an East Coast college football analysis. "But when you get down to it, Stanford really hasn't beaten anybody. I know Oregon beat LSU and everything but the Tigers didn't have their starting quarterback, and Alabama whipped LSU pretty good. Notre Dame? The Irish aren't any good. Luck has put up big numbers against weak Pac-12 defenses. I think he and Stanford struggles against the Crimson Tide, to me a far more physical team."
Luck wins the Heisman Trophy by the largest margin in the award's history.
"You're probably wondering why I've brought what looks like a chemistry set to the lectern here," Luck says after receiving the award. "But my outstanding receiver Chris Owusu and I were sitting around one day and we wondered why no one had created a device that could quickly and inexpensively convert sand into fresh, potable water. This is neat. Watch!"
Stanford whips Alabama 33-17 and wins the national championship with a perfect, 14-0 season. Luck wins game MVP.
"So, Andrew, what are you going to do before the NFL draft," a reporter asks.
"Glad you're curious," Luck says. "Well, Owen Marecic was in town the other day and we got to talking, and you know what really, really bothers us?"
Everybody waits.
"Cancer."
Worst case
Stanford and Luck looked dominant during a 2-0 start. That was not the case at Arizona, where the Cardinal faced a team armed with a talented secondary and a hunger for revenge.
Wildcats quarterback Nick Foles outplays Luck, throwing for 405 yards and four touchdowns in a 40-35 victory, his completely rebuilt offensive line muting the Cardinal defensive front. Stanford's three new offensive linemen struggle to protect Luck, while its rebuilt receiving corps struggle to get open.
Luck and the Cardinal bounce back with five consecutive victories, with Luck throwing for 10 touchdowns during the streak to put himself back in the Heisman Trophy race. Stanford rises back to 12th in the country and heads to USC for a marquee matchup with the 10th-ranked Trojans, who are fresh off a win over Notre Dame.
But USC quarterback Matt Barkley, with a superior supporting cast of receivers, outplays Luck, throwing for 295 yards and three scores in a 31-28 victory.
"It's a lesson we've learned before but it frequently comes back to remind us," says Fowler. "One guy can't do it all. It's hard to do great things as a quarterback when your line isn't protecting you and your receivers aren't good enough to get open and make plays."
"And injuries," replies Herbstreit. "The Cardinal has taken some injury hits and they don't seem to have the depth to overcome them, at least at the level of a top-10 team."
The Cardinal wins at Oregon State. Up next: No. 1 Oregon.
Not unlike the 2010 game, Luck and Stanford start quickly and lead at halftime. And not unlike the 2010 game, the Ducks roll in the second half. The stadium is less than half-full when the clock hits zero on a 48-31 Oregon win.
"Sure, we've had some tough times this season," says Luck, who's been sacked 19 times, six more times than he was the previous two seasons combined. "But keeping the Axe would make up for a lot."
But resurgent Cal gets a sterling performance from quarterback Zach Maynard in a 28-24 win. Maynard scrambles in from 18 yards for the winning score with three minutes left.
Stanford beats Notre Dame in the season-finale and earns a berth in the Sun Bowl, where it loses to Clemson, 28-24, to finish 8-5.
Not long ago, that would have been a successful season. But the headline in the Stanford Daily tells the new story: "Is Shaw up to replacing Harbaugh?"
Cal ends up 11-2 and ranked ninth after beating Texas 45-3 in the Alamo Bowl.
"The balance of power has shifted back North, as it should," crows Cal linebacker Mychal Kendricks, not typically one to crow.
After Stanford loses its bowl game, offensive linemen Jonathan Martin and David DeCastro as well as linebackers Shayne Skov and Chase Thomas opt to join Luck in the NFL draft a year early.
Stanford's recruiting class ends up ranked eighth in the Pac-12, six spots below Cal.
Cal eclipses Stanford on the National University Ranking from US News & World Report.
It's time to count down the top 25 players in the Pac-12 heading into the 2011 season.
Of course, this is an exercise in subjectivity. It's not just ranking players that's a challenge; it's ranking players at different positions. Not easy to do. Our evaluation is mostly about feel. It's not a ranking of NFL prospects, though that is obviously in our heads. Past performance was the top measure, but projecting forward also is part of the process.
It was tough to leave out some very good players. You might recall there was a significant degree of post-list regret after I opted to leave off Stanford FB-LB Owen Marecic last year, which was a mistake. Sure there will be some of that this go-around.
You can see the final post-2010 top 25 here. It doesn't, however, include players from Colorado or Utah.
Without further hand-wringing, let's begin.
25. Marquess Wilson, WR, Washington State
2010 numbers: As a true freshman, Wilson caught 55 passes for 1,006 yards with six touchdowns in 2010. He averaged 18.3 yards per reception, which ranked first in the Pac-10.
2010 ranking: Unranked
Making the case for Wilson: So what's next for the 6-foot-3, 175-pound Wilson after an impressive debut? Taking over games and catching passes that win games. Wilson, who has been named to the Biletnikoff Award watch list, led all freshmen nationally in receiving yards and was second among freshmen nationally in receptions per game in 2010. He ranked 22nd among all FBS receivers in receiving yards per game (83.8 ypg). He owns the school freshman record for receptions and became just the ninth Cougar -- and first freshman -- to record a season with 1,000 receiving yards. He ranked second in the Pac-10 in receiving yards per game. In his first college game at Oklahoma State, he caught four passes for 108 yards, one of five 100-plus yard receiving games, a school freshman record. His six TD receptions came in six different games. With a talented veteran quarterback in Jeff Tuel, and a good supporting cast of receivers, Wilson could put up big numbers this fall, which means he could move up in our postseason top 25 list, particularly if the Cougars move up in the Pac-12 standings.
Of course, this is an exercise in subjectivity. It's not just ranking players that's a challenge; it's ranking players at different positions. Not easy to do. Our evaluation is mostly about feel. It's not a ranking of NFL prospects, though that is obviously in our heads. Past performance was the top measure, but projecting forward also is part of the process.
It was tough to leave out some very good players. You might recall there was a significant degree of post-list regret after I opted to leave off Stanford FB-LB Owen Marecic last year, which was a mistake. Sure there will be some of that this go-around.
You can see the final post-2010 top 25 here. It doesn't, however, include players from Colorado or Utah.
Without further hand-wringing, let's begin.
[+] Enlarge
Jayne Kamin-Oncea/US PresswireMarquess Wilson became the freshman Cougar to top 1,000 yards receiving last season.
Jayne Kamin-Oncea/US PresswireMarquess Wilson became the freshman Cougar to top 1,000 yards receiving last season.2010 numbers: As a true freshman, Wilson caught 55 passes for 1,006 yards with six touchdowns in 2010. He averaged 18.3 yards per reception, which ranked first in the Pac-10.
2010 ranking: Unranked
Making the case for Wilson: So what's next for the 6-foot-3, 175-pound Wilson after an impressive debut? Taking over games and catching passes that win games. Wilson, who has been named to the Biletnikoff Award watch list, led all freshmen nationally in receiving yards and was second among freshmen nationally in receptions per game in 2010. He ranked 22nd among all FBS receivers in receiving yards per game (83.8 ypg). He owns the school freshman record for receptions and became just the ninth Cougar -- and first freshman -- to record a season with 1,000 receiving yards. He ranked second in the Pac-10 in receiving yards per game. In his first college game at Oklahoma State, he caught four passes for 108 yards, one of five 100-plus yard receiving games, a school freshman record. His six TD receptions came in six different games. With a talented veteran quarterback in Jeff Tuel, and a good supporting cast of receivers, Wilson could put up big numbers this fall, which means he could move up in our postseason top 25 list, particularly if the Cougars move up in the Pac-12 standings.
Who's got the nation's best backfield? Oregon, according to ESPN.com's Bruce Feldman. Who's got the second best backfield? Stanford, says Feldman. He ranks USC 10th, which means the Pac-12 has three of the top-10.
Here's what he says about Oregon: The Ducks have a very, very good quarterback in Darron Thomas and a great running back in LaMichael James, a pair of standout Texans who are thriving in the Pac-12. James, who is a legit Heisman contender, ran for 1,731 yards and 21 touchdowns in 2010. The Ducks also have a dangerous backup to James, Kenjon Barner, who gained 551 yards and averaged more than 6 yards per carry last season. Thomas, a 6-foot-3, 212-pound junior, may get overlooked because of James' presence and because he plays in the same conference as Andrew Luck, but the Ducks' passer is a lethal triggerman in Chip Kelly's scheme. He ran for almost 500 yards last season while averaging more than 5 yards per rush in addition to posting a stellar 30-to-9 TD-to-INT ratio.
And Stanford: Luck's presence alone would almost merit the Cardinal a spot on this list. He is that special. The quarterback is the best player in college football and has some pretty good talent around him. Stepfan Taylor, a junior, rushed for 1,137 yards and 15 touchdowns last season. The Cardinal, however, did lose versatile RB Owen Marecic, the tough, two-way player who was Jim Harbaugh's favorite.
And the Trojans: Matt Barkley returns for his third season as starting quarterback of the Trojans. He's been very impressive at times but will need to take his game (26 TDs, 12 INTs) to another level if this team is going to get close to being back where it was just three years ago. Barkley does have some spectacular young receivers to throw to, led by budding star sophomore Robert Woods. The Trojans have more young talent in the backfield starting with speedy redshirt freshman D.J. Morgan, who appears to be the home run threat this team has lacked the past few years. Senior Marc Tyler, the team's leading rusher last season with 913 yards, is a bigger back to provide another option. Shifty Dillon Baxter and little Curtis McNeal also have flashed some potential, but they still have to prove they can do it in games and not just on the practice field.
Here's what he says about Oregon: The Ducks have a very, very good quarterback in Darron Thomas and a great running back in LaMichael James, a pair of standout Texans who are thriving in the Pac-12. James, who is a legit Heisman contender, ran for 1,731 yards and 21 touchdowns in 2010. The Ducks also have a dangerous backup to James, Kenjon Barner, who gained 551 yards and averaged more than 6 yards per carry last season. Thomas, a 6-foot-3, 212-pound junior, may get overlooked because of James' presence and because he plays in the same conference as Andrew Luck, but the Ducks' passer is a lethal triggerman in Chip Kelly's scheme. He ran for almost 500 yards last season while averaging more than 5 yards per rush in addition to posting a stellar 30-to-9 TD-to-INT ratio.
And Stanford: Luck's presence alone would almost merit the Cardinal a spot on this list. He is that special. The quarterback is the best player in college football and has some pretty good talent around him. Stepfan Taylor, a junior, rushed for 1,137 yards and 15 touchdowns last season. The Cardinal, however, did lose versatile RB Owen Marecic, the tough, two-way player who was Jim Harbaugh's favorite.
And the Trojans: Matt Barkley returns for his third season as starting quarterback of the Trojans. He's been very impressive at times but will need to take his game (26 TDs, 12 INTs) to another level if this team is going to get close to being back where it was just three years ago. Barkley does have some spectacular young receivers to throw to, led by budding star sophomore Robert Woods. The Trojans have more young talent in the backfield starting with speedy redshirt freshman D.J. Morgan, who appears to be the home run threat this team has lacked the past few years. Senior Marc Tyler, the team's leading rusher last season with 913 yards, is a bigger back to provide another option. Shifty Dillon Baxter and little Curtis McNeal also have flashed some potential, but they still have to prove they can do it in games and not just on the practice field.
Four former Pac-12 football players were awarded the Tom Hansen Conference Medal, which is given annually to each member institution’s outstanding senior male and female student-athlete based on "the exhibition of the greatest combination of performance and achievement in scholarship, athletics and leadership."
The winners were Oregon State center Alex Linnenkohl, Arizona defensive end Brooks Reed, Oregon center Jordan Holmes and Stanford fullback Owen Marecic.
The Tom Hansen Conference Medal winners will be honored at the State Farm Pride of the Pac-12 Breakfast held in Los Angeles in conjunction with the Pacific Life Pac-12 men's and women's basketball tournaments next March.
The Tom Hansen Conference Medal was named in honor of Hansen, who served 26 years as commissioner of the Pac-10 Conference, retiring in June of 2009. The award was first named in his honor in 2008-09.
You can view all the winners here.
The winners were Oregon State center Alex Linnenkohl, Arizona defensive end Brooks Reed, Oregon center Jordan Holmes and Stanford fullback Owen Marecic.
The Tom Hansen Conference Medal winners will be honored at the State Farm Pride of the Pac-12 Breakfast held in Los Angeles in conjunction with the Pacific Life Pac-12 men's and women's basketball tournaments next March.
The Tom Hansen Conference Medal was named in honor of Hansen, who served 26 years as commissioner of the Pac-10 Conference, retiring in June of 2009. The award was first named in his honor in 2008-09.
You can view all the winners here.
The reality of college football is that all players eventually leave and the best players often leave sooner -- for the NFL draft -- than fans and coaches would want.
So while many view a count of returning starters as a great measure of what things might look like in the future, filling voids is really what spring practices are all about.
Many key conference players are off to the NFL. But which leaves behind the biggest hole?
For four years, Jake Locker was the face of Washington. While his numbers weren't good in 2010, he was the Huskies unquestioned leader, not to mention being good enough to go eighth overall in the NFL draft.
Just like Locker, Jacquizz Rodgers was the face of Oregon State, starting with his thrilling debut in the 2008 upset of USC. Speaking of difficult to replace, what about one player who was two players? That was Stanford's Owen Marecic in 2010, who was the Cardinal's starting fullback and linebacker.
Oregon is replacing three starters on its defensive line, but none was as productive over the past two seasons as end Kenny Rowe, who produced 20 sacks and 31.5 tackles for a loss over the past two seasons.
Many key conference players are off to the NFL. But which leaves behind the biggest hole?
For four years, Jake Locker was the face of Washington. While his numbers weren't good in 2010, he was the Huskies unquestioned leader, not to mention being good enough to go eighth overall in the NFL draft.
Just like Locker, Jacquizz Rodgers was the face of Oregon State, starting with his thrilling debut in the 2008 upset of USC. Speaking of difficult to replace, what about one player who was two players? That was Stanford's Owen Marecic in 2010, who was the Cardinal's starting fullback and linebacker.
Oregon is replacing three starters on its defensive line, but none was as productive over the past two seasons as end Kenny Rowe, who produced 20 sacks and 31.5 tackles for a loss over the past two seasons.
2010 overall record: 12-1
2010 conference record: 8-1
Returning starters
Offense: 5, Defense: 6, punter/kicker: punter
Top returners
QB Andrew Luck, RB Stepfan Taylor, WR Chris Owusu, OT Jonathan Martin, OG David DeCastro, LB Shayne Skov, OLB Chase Thomas, SS Delano Howell
Key losses
C Chase Beeler, FB Owen Marecic, WR Doug Baldwin, NT Sione Fua, OLB Thomas Keiser, CB Richard Sherman
2010 statistical leaders (*returning starter)
Rushing: Stepfan Taylor* (1,137 yards)
Passing: Andrew Luck* (3,338 yards)
Receiving: Doug Baldwin (857 yards)
Tackles: Shayne Skov* (84)
Sacks: Skov, Chase Thomas* (7.5)
Interceptions: Delano Howell* (5)
Spring answers
1. Loaded at tight end: It's hard to believe any team in the nation is as good at tight end as Stanford. Zach Ertz dominated the spring game with three touchdowns. Coby Fleener dominated the Orange Bowl with three touchdowns. You might recall that Levin Toilolo beat both of them out for the starting job last year but blew out his knee before the season began. Receiver is a question, but these guys are all big -- 6-foot-6 for Ertz and Fleener to 6-8 for Toilolo -- targets for Andrew Luck.
2. No worries at LB: The Cardinal must replace two of their four starting linebackers -- one inside; one out -- but that didn't seem a concern by the end of spring. Shayne Skov is an All-American candidate inside, and Chase Thomas is an all-conference candidate outside. Trent Murphy, Alex Debniak and Blake Lueders are in the mix on the outside, while Max Bergen likely steps in for Owen Marecic. And touted true freshman James Vaughters arrives in the fall and is likely to quickly move into the picture.
3. Luck: Want an answer? Andrew Luck returning. No team in the country got a better answer this spring.
Fall questions
1. D-line depth? Two of three spots on the defensive line need to be filled, with end Matt Masifilo the only returning starter. Terrence Stephens and Ben Gardner finished spring No. 1 at nose tackle and end. Henry Anderson is the backup at nose tackle and Josh Mauro and Jacob Gowan are No. 2 at the ends. It's possible, however, D-coordinator Derek Mason might mix-and-match a bit schematically to take advantage of his depth at linebacker and the uncertainty on the D-line.
2. Ready to receive? If receiver Chris Owusu comes back healthy -- and stays that way -- the Cardinal will be solid at receiver. Without him, things are a bit uncertain, though Drew Terrell, Darren Daniel, Griff Whalen and Jamal-Rashad Patterson each had their moments this spring.
3. Center of interest? Who will replace All-American Chase Beeler at center? Junior Sam Schwartzstein owned a lead over sophomore Khalil Wilkes at the end of spring. Further, the Cardinal will also need to replace LG Andrew Phillips and RT Derek Hall. Kevin Danser and Tyler Mabry were the leaders at the end of spring.
2010 conference record: 8-1
Returning starters
Offense: 5, Defense: 6, punter/kicker: punter
Top returners
QB Andrew Luck, RB Stepfan Taylor, WR Chris Owusu, OT Jonathan Martin, OG David DeCastro, LB Shayne Skov, OLB Chase Thomas, SS Delano Howell
Key losses
C Chase Beeler, FB Owen Marecic, WR Doug Baldwin, NT Sione Fua, OLB Thomas Keiser, CB Richard Sherman
2010 statistical leaders (*returning starter)
Rushing: Stepfan Taylor* (1,137 yards)
Passing: Andrew Luck* (3,338 yards)
Receiving: Doug Baldwin (857 yards)
Tackles: Shayne Skov* (84)
Sacks: Skov, Chase Thomas* (7.5)
Interceptions: Delano Howell* (5)
Spring answers
1. Loaded at tight end: It's hard to believe any team in the nation is as good at tight end as Stanford. Zach Ertz dominated the spring game with three touchdowns. Coby Fleener dominated the Orange Bowl with three touchdowns. You might recall that Levin Toilolo beat both of them out for the starting job last year but blew out his knee before the season began. Receiver is a question, but these guys are all big -- 6-foot-6 for Ertz and Fleener to 6-8 for Toilolo -- targets for Andrew Luck.
2. No worries at LB: The Cardinal must replace two of their four starting linebackers -- one inside; one out -- but that didn't seem a concern by the end of spring. Shayne Skov is an All-American candidate inside, and Chase Thomas is an all-conference candidate outside. Trent Murphy, Alex Debniak and Blake Lueders are in the mix on the outside, while Max Bergen likely steps in for Owen Marecic. And touted true freshman James Vaughters arrives in the fall and is likely to quickly move into the picture.
3. Luck: Want an answer? Andrew Luck returning. No team in the country got a better answer this spring.
Fall questions
1. D-line depth? Two of three spots on the defensive line need to be filled, with end Matt Masifilo the only returning starter. Terrence Stephens and Ben Gardner finished spring No. 1 at nose tackle and end. Henry Anderson is the backup at nose tackle and Josh Mauro and Jacob Gowan are No. 2 at the ends. It's possible, however, D-coordinator Derek Mason might mix-and-match a bit schematically to take advantage of his depth at linebacker and the uncertainty on the D-line.
2. Ready to receive? If receiver Chris Owusu comes back healthy -- and stays that way -- the Cardinal will be solid at receiver. Without him, things are a bit uncertain, though Drew Terrell, Darren Daniel, Griff Whalen and Jamal-Rashad Patterson each had their moments this spring.
3. Center of interest? Who will replace All-American Chase Beeler at center? Junior Sam Schwartzstein owned a lead over sophomore Khalil Wilkes at the end of spring. Further, the Cardinal will also need to replace LG Andrew Phillips and RT Derek Hall. Kevin Danser and Tyler Mabry were the leaders at the end of spring.
Mailbag: Pac-12 network and horrible biases
May, 6, 2011
5/06/11
8:26
PM ET
By
Ted Miller | ESPN.com
Happy Friday.
First of all, there are many questions about the Pac-12 network. I share your questions because there are no answers yet. At least officially.
Pac-12 Media Enterprises will operate the network. But that's about as far as things got, other than commissioner Larry Scott saying -- sorta cryptically -- that the league will have another major announcement in 60 days.
I'm with Jon Wilner: Got to be about the network, considering it's a fairly big project scheduled to be up-and-running in about 15 months (August of 2012).
Maybe the conference starts from scratch; maybe it buys an existing channel and re-brands it. Don't know yet. As for distribution, all we got from Scott this week is his confidence that there will be national distribution in some shape or form that will lead to increased revenue and widespread exposure for the conference.
The biggest reasons Scott believes it won't be hard to get wide distribution for the network is that it will broadcast plenty of A-list content -- football and men's basketball -- not just Olympic sports. That's not the case on the Big Ten Network.
Follow me on Twitter.
To the notes.
Mike from Modesto, Calif., writes: Not that the NFL draft should match Ted's Pac-10 Top 25 perfectly, but it did reflect my comment on the biases on the top 25 list, especially anti-Stanford. Owen Marecic was drafted in the fourth round, well ahead of the other Pac-10 fullbacks who the NFL "rated higher" than Owen, according to Ted (Havili went at the very end of the draft). Marecic also went a round before Jaquizz Rodgers, #9 on the Pac-10 list that Marecic was left off of. Richard Sherman was ignored by Ted all season despite playing a complete shutdown corner and forcing teams to ignore his side of the field most of the year. Sherman was not ignored by the NFL who took him ahead of the two Top 25 Oregon CBs (#20 & 22)--their names are not important, beings they were ignored by the NFL, as was Jeff Maehl (#12 on the list), but not Ryan Whalen, drafted in the 6th round. Defensive lineman Kenny Rowe was #17 on Ted's list, but went undrafted, unlike Sione Fua, who went in the third round, but was left off of Ted's list.
Ted Miller: Again, as I tweeted, leaving Marecic off was a mistake. I explained my reasoning for why I did -- and still don't think it was invalid -- but if I had to do the list over, I would include Marecic.
But let's also understand something: The NFL draft isn't what the top-25 is about. Oh, a player's potential NFL standing plays a role -- it certainly does with Andrew Luck -- but it's not the be-all end-all. Jake Locker and Rahim Moore didn't make the list either, and they were off the draft board before a lot of guys on the list.
As for Sherman, I'm happy he got drafted. Good dude. But he didn't earn first- or second-team All-Pac-10 honors. The three cornerbacks on the list all did.
Yes, Ryan Whalen was drafted and Jeff Maehl was not. Whalen had 439 yards receiving and two touchdowns in 2010. Maehl had 1,076 yards and 12 touchdowns.
I've repeatedly called Sione Fua an underrated player and praised his NFL prospects, but he had 23 tackles last season. Rowe had 16.5 ... tackles for a loss.
And, by the way, No. 25 on the list, California running back Shane Vereen was picked in the second round. You don't seem concerned about his low rating for some reason.
There was no anti-Stanford bias. Make your own list. See how difficult it is.
There might be more Cardinal players on the preseason top-25 list than any other team. I can think of five or six guys off the top of my head. But that won't reflect a sudden pro-Stanford bias or a desire to appease you Cardinal fans outside my house RIGHT NOW with torches and pitchforks and long ropes.
It will just be little ole me trying to make a new list that, again, won't make everyone happy.
Ryan from Zanesville, Ohio writes: I'll pose this question to you:Hypothetical scenario: The Pac-12, Big 10, ACC, Big 12, and Big East all produce a 12-0/13-0 team as does Boise St. A 12-0 and a 11-1 SEC team play in their conference title game and the 11-1 team barely edges out the 12-0 team on a late 4th quarter controversial call. Which two teams meet in the title games? Does the BCS system implode like the nuclear test at Bikini Atoll?
Ted Miller: I know the genesis of this question, which I get some form of a lot: Does the BCS system essentially ensure that the SEC champion plays for the national title?
Short answer: no.
The two teams that play for the championship are the two teams that finish atop the BCS standings. The standings include three components: USA Today Coaches Poll, Harris Interactive College Football Poll and an average of six computer rankings. Each component counts one-third toward a team's overall BCS score.
For a one-loss team to beat out an unbeaten team, it must somehow end up with a better human and/or computer ranking. That would happen for a couple of reasons. Either a high preseason ranking, a tough schedule or both.
So, a 12-1 SEC -- after winning the SEC championship -- would have to have a pretty special resume to beat out four of five unbeaten teams from AQ conferences to play for the national title. How could it happen? Well, say the Pac-12, Big Ten, Big East and ACC champions have just one win over a ranked team, while the 12-1 SEC champ beat five. Unlikely, but that could do it.
Understand that your scenario has never happened. A once-beaten SEC team has not eclipsed an unbeaten AQ conference champion for a spot in the national title game. That's only happened to unbeaten teams -- fair or unfair -- from a non-AQ conference.
The SEC, however, has been treated as first among equals by the BCS standings when matched against other 1-loss teams from AQ conferences. That's what happened to USC in 2003, 2007 (two losses) and 2008.
Jeff from Fredericksburg, Texas writes: You Sir-Need to write a retraction or at minimum an apology for the lack of facts and honesty in your blog about the PAC with there "oh so many draft picks". What a [term deleted], 6 of those young men never played in the PAC. Was this a slam at the Big12. Truth be known they were right behind the PAC and in front of the [Big Ten]. Because 7 of the calculated [Big Ten] were actually in the Big 12....Note Nebraska. You are either a typical deceptive lying journalist with an agenda or just down right stupid. What a moron!
Ted Miller: Sigh.
1. I included Utah and Colorado because they now fall under my coverage area of the Pac-12. My including them was a service to Utah and Colorado fans.
2. All the way down in the second paragraph ... "If the six combined picks from Colorado and Utah are taken away from the conference, the old Pac-10 provided NFL teams 3.1 draft picks per team, also just behind the SEC at 3.17."
No, the Big 12 wasn't right behind the Pac-10. You're running into a problem with a complicated mathematical calculation. So go buy a calculator. I'll wait here.
The Big 12, with Nebraska and Colorado, produced 30 draft picks. The Pac-10 without Colorado and Utah produced 31. This, by the way, was explained in the story: "Nebraska was a big swing to the Big Ten from the Big 12 with seven picks. With Colorado and Nebraska, the Big 12 provided 30 selections."
But the one-man advantage isn't the story. Take the calculator out of its box. Divide 30 by 12. Then divide 31 by 10. What do those numbers mean?
They mean the Pac-12, without Colorado and Utah, provided 3.1 draft picks per team to the NFL. The Big 12, with Nebraska, provided 2.5.
Jim from Portland writes: My friends I are starting to forecast (err...trash talk) the 2011 seasons of our favorite teams. We are stuck on how to figure out who will be the conference champion because none of us are familiar with how ties will be broken for entry into the Pac 12 championship game. Can you help us figure out whether a 9 and 3 Cougar team will head to championship game or a 9 and 3 Beaver team will go assuming they are tied and have the best records in the north (this example is tongue in cheek as I am a diehard Duck fan, but if it happens I will take full credit for being the first to say it).
Ted Miller: Divisional tiebreaker for two teams is head-to-head matchup.
By the way, here's how the home field will be decided in the Pac-12 championship game in the event that the winners of the North and South divisions have the same conference record.
Tom from Washington D.C. writes: As a former roommate of the 07/08 Stanford tree, I can't tell you how many different ideas for a Sportscenter commercial we came up with. Just thought some Stanford football fans might appreciate how well you guys nailed it with this one.
Ted Miller: That's a good one. Poor tree.
Kyle from Bellevue, Wash., writes: One of my favorite things about the Pac-12 Blog are the quotes you include at the beginning of your posts, which have led me to some good movies and books. As a fellow English major, could you recommend a reading list? Since I graduated college a month ago, it feels funny to not be assigned reading, so I was thinking that Professor Miller may be able to assign some for me.
Ted Miller: Professor Miller! Someone knows how to tap into my vanity.
I answer this off-topic question, though, because a book just blew the top of my head off: "Winter's Bone" by Daniel Woodrell. My advice is read it. Now.
They made a movie of it, which I plan to watch this weekend, and which is supposed to be pretty darn good, too.
If I were making a reading list, here's a start: White Noise, by Don DeLillo, Blood Meridian, by Cormac McCarthy, The Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger, The Sun Also Rises, by Ernest Hemingway, Light in August, by William Faulkner, The Crying of Lot 49, by Thomas Pynchon, The Corrections, by Jonathan Franzen, The Bushwhacked Piano, by Thomas McGuane, The French Lieutenant's Woman, by John Fowles, The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Lucky Jim, by Kingsley Amis, House Made of Dawn, by N. Scott Momaday, On the Road, by Jack Kerouac, Slaughterhouse Five, by Kurt Vonnegut, The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay, by Michael Chabon, The Sot-Weed Factor, by John Barth, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, by Douglas Adams, Song of Solomon, by Toni Morrison, The Spy Who Came in From the Cold, by John le Carre, A Fan's Notes, by Frederick Exley, Still Life With Woodpecker, by Tom Robbins and To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee.
Sure I left a few out.
First of all, there are many questions about the Pac-12 network. I share your questions because there are no answers yet. At least officially.
Pac-12 Media Enterprises will operate the network. But that's about as far as things got, other than commissioner Larry Scott saying -- sorta cryptically -- that the league will have another major announcement in 60 days.
I'm with Jon Wilner: Got to be about the network, considering it's a fairly big project scheduled to be up-and-running in about 15 months (August of 2012).
Maybe the conference starts from scratch; maybe it buys an existing channel and re-brands it. Don't know yet. As for distribution, all we got from Scott this week is his confidence that there will be national distribution in some shape or form that will lead to increased revenue and widespread exposure for the conference.
The biggest reasons Scott believes it won't be hard to get wide distribution for the network is that it will broadcast plenty of A-list content -- football and men's basketball -- not just Olympic sports. That's not the case on the Big Ten Network.
Follow me on Twitter.
To the notes.
Mike from Modesto, Calif., writes: Not that the NFL draft should match Ted's Pac-10 Top 25 perfectly, but it did reflect my comment on the biases on the top 25 list, especially anti-Stanford. Owen Marecic was drafted in the fourth round, well ahead of the other Pac-10 fullbacks who the NFL "rated higher" than Owen, according to Ted (Havili went at the very end of the draft). Marecic also went a round before Jaquizz Rodgers, #9 on the Pac-10 list that Marecic was left off of. Richard Sherman was ignored by Ted all season despite playing a complete shutdown corner and forcing teams to ignore his side of the field most of the year. Sherman was not ignored by the NFL who took him ahead of the two Top 25 Oregon CBs (#20 & 22)--their names are not important, beings they were ignored by the NFL, as was Jeff Maehl (#12 on the list), but not Ryan Whalen, drafted in the 6th round. Defensive lineman Kenny Rowe was #17 on Ted's list, but went undrafted, unlike Sione Fua, who went in the third round, but was left off of Ted's list.
Ted Miller: Again, as I tweeted, leaving Marecic off was a mistake. I explained my reasoning for why I did -- and still don't think it was invalid -- but if I had to do the list over, I would include Marecic.
But let's also understand something: The NFL draft isn't what the top-25 is about. Oh, a player's potential NFL standing plays a role -- it certainly does with Andrew Luck -- but it's not the be-all end-all. Jake Locker and Rahim Moore didn't make the list either, and they were off the draft board before a lot of guys on the list.
As for Sherman, I'm happy he got drafted. Good dude. But he didn't earn first- or second-team All-Pac-10 honors. The three cornerbacks on the list all did.
Yes, Ryan Whalen was drafted and Jeff Maehl was not. Whalen had 439 yards receiving and two touchdowns in 2010. Maehl had 1,076 yards and 12 touchdowns.
I've repeatedly called Sione Fua an underrated player and praised his NFL prospects, but he had 23 tackles last season. Rowe had 16.5 ... tackles for a loss.
And, by the way, No. 25 on the list, California running back Shane Vereen was picked in the second round. You don't seem concerned about his low rating for some reason.
There was no anti-Stanford bias. Make your own list. See how difficult it is.
There might be more Cardinal players on the preseason top-25 list than any other team. I can think of five or six guys off the top of my head. But that won't reflect a sudden pro-Stanford bias or a desire to appease you Cardinal fans outside my house RIGHT NOW with torches and pitchforks and long ropes.
It will just be little ole me trying to make a new list that, again, won't make everyone happy.
Ryan from Zanesville, Ohio writes: I'll pose this question to you:Hypothetical scenario: The Pac-12, Big 10, ACC, Big 12, and Big East all produce a 12-0/13-0 team as does Boise St. A 12-0 and a 11-1 SEC team play in their conference title game and the 11-1 team barely edges out the 12-0 team on a late 4th quarter controversial call. Which two teams meet in the title games? Does the BCS system implode like the nuclear test at Bikini Atoll?
Ted Miller: I know the genesis of this question, which I get some form of a lot: Does the BCS system essentially ensure that the SEC champion plays for the national title?
Short answer: no.
The two teams that play for the championship are the two teams that finish atop the BCS standings. The standings include three components: USA Today Coaches Poll, Harris Interactive College Football Poll and an average of six computer rankings. Each component counts one-third toward a team's overall BCS score.
For a one-loss team to beat out an unbeaten team, it must somehow end up with a better human and/or computer ranking. That would happen for a couple of reasons. Either a high preseason ranking, a tough schedule or both.
So, a 12-1 SEC -- after winning the SEC championship -- would have to have a pretty special resume to beat out four of five unbeaten teams from AQ conferences to play for the national title. How could it happen? Well, say the Pac-12, Big Ten, Big East and ACC champions have just one win over a ranked team, while the 12-1 SEC champ beat five. Unlikely, but that could do it.
Understand that your scenario has never happened. A once-beaten SEC team has not eclipsed an unbeaten AQ conference champion for a spot in the national title game. That's only happened to unbeaten teams -- fair or unfair -- from a non-AQ conference.
The SEC, however, has been treated as first among equals by the BCS standings when matched against other 1-loss teams from AQ conferences. That's what happened to USC in 2003, 2007 (two losses) and 2008.
Jeff from Fredericksburg, Texas writes: You Sir-Need to write a retraction or at minimum an apology for the lack of facts and honesty in your blog about the PAC with there "oh so many draft picks". What a [term deleted], 6 of those young men never played in the PAC. Was this a slam at the Big12. Truth be known they were right behind the PAC and in front of the [Big Ten]. Because 7 of the calculated [Big Ten] were actually in the Big 12....Note Nebraska. You are either a typical deceptive lying journalist with an agenda or just down right stupid. What a moron!
Ted Miller: Sigh.
1. I included Utah and Colorado because they now fall under my coverage area of the Pac-12. My including them was a service to Utah and Colorado fans.
2. All the way down in the second paragraph ... "If the six combined picks from Colorado and Utah are taken away from the conference, the old Pac-10 provided NFL teams 3.1 draft picks per team, also just behind the SEC at 3.17."
No, the Big 12 wasn't right behind the Pac-10. You're running into a problem with a complicated mathematical calculation. So go buy a calculator. I'll wait here.
The Big 12, with Nebraska and Colorado, produced 30 draft picks. The Pac-10 without Colorado and Utah produced 31. This, by the way, was explained in the story: "Nebraska was a big swing to the Big Ten from the Big 12 with seven picks. With Colorado and Nebraska, the Big 12 provided 30 selections."
But the one-man advantage isn't the story. Take the calculator out of its box. Divide 30 by 12. Then divide 31 by 10. What do those numbers mean?
They mean the Pac-12, without Colorado and Utah, provided 3.1 draft picks per team to the NFL. The Big 12, with Nebraska, provided 2.5.
Jim from Portland writes: My friends I are starting to forecast (err...trash talk) the 2011 seasons of our favorite teams. We are stuck on how to figure out who will be the conference champion because none of us are familiar with how ties will be broken for entry into the Pac 12 championship game. Can you help us figure out whether a 9 and 3 Cougar team will head to championship game or a 9 and 3 Beaver team will go assuming they are tied and have the best records in the north (this example is tongue in cheek as I am a diehard Duck fan, but if it happens I will take full credit for being the first to say it).
Ted Miller: Divisional tiebreaker for two teams is head-to-head matchup.
By the way, here's how the home field will be decided in the Pac-12 championship game in the event that the winners of the North and South divisions have the same conference record.
Tom from Washington D.C. writes: As a former roommate of the 07/08 Stanford tree, I can't tell you how many different ideas for a Sportscenter commercial we came up with. Just thought some Stanford football fans might appreciate how well you guys nailed it with this one.
Ted Miller: That's a good one. Poor tree.
Kyle from Bellevue, Wash., writes: One of my favorite things about the Pac-12 Blog are the quotes you include at the beginning of your posts, which have led me to some good movies and books. As a fellow English major, could you recommend a reading list? Since I graduated college a month ago, it feels funny to not be assigned reading, so I was thinking that Professor Miller may be able to assign some for me.
Ted Miller: Professor Miller! Someone knows how to tap into my vanity.
I answer this off-topic question, though, because a book just blew the top of my head off: "Winter's Bone" by Daniel Woodrell. My advice is read it. Now.
They made a movie of it, which I plan to watch this weekend, and which is supposed to be pretty darn good, too.
If I were making a reading list, here's a start: White Noise, by Don DeLillo, Blood Meridian, by Cormac McCarthy, The Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger, The Sun Also Rises, by Ernest Hemingway, Light in August, by William Faulkner, The Crying of Lot 49, by Thomas Pynchon, The Corrections, by Jonathan Franzen, The Bushwhacked Piano, by Thomas McGuane, The French Lieutenant's Woman, by John Fowles, The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Lucky Jim, by Kingsley Amis, House Made of Dawn, by N. Scott Momaday, On the Road, by Jack Kerouac, Slaughterhouse Five, by Kurt Vonnegut, The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay, by Michael Chabon, The Sot-Weed Factor, by John Barth, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, by Douglas Adams, Song of Solomon, by Toni Morrison, The Spy Who Came in From the Cold, by John le Carre, A Fan's Notes, by Frederick Exley, Still Life With Woodpecker, by Tom Robbins and To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee.
Sure I left a few out.
Happy Friday.
- What does the future TV revenue mean for Arizona?
- It wasn't easy to retire from football, but former Arizona State quarterback Steven Threet is moving on.
- A California spring review.
- Colorado coach Jon Embree is taking a crash course in Pac-12 teams.
- Is Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck leading a secret life as a San Francisco 49ers assistant coach? "Old school" Owen Marecic is already getting notice in Cleveland.
- Sizing up UCLA's quarterback candidates.
- What we learned this spring at USC: No. 4.
- The new Pac-12 TV deal provides a substantial bump for Utah. Listen to Utes coach Kyle Whittingham.
- Washington State might benefit the most from the Pac-12's new TV deal.
- The Pac-12 is drafting the Big Ten when it comes to a conference network.
- Should college athletes be able to pursue endorsement deals?
The Pac-12 provided 37 players to the NFL draft over the weekend, one fewer than the SEC, which led all conferences.
If the six combined picks from Colorado and Utah are taken away from the conference, the old Pac-10 provided NFL teams 3.1 draft picks per team, also just behind the SEC at 3.17.
Here's where the Pac-12 players went:
First round
No. 8 Jake Locker, QB, Washington: Tennessee
No. 9 Tyron Smith., OT, USC: Dallas
No. 17 Nate Solder, OT, Colorado: New England
No. 24 Cameron Jordan, DE, California: New Orleans
No. 27 Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado: Baltimore
Second round
7. Akeem Ayers, LB, UCLA: Tennessee
10. Brooks Reed, DE, Arizona: Houston
13. Rahim Moore, FS, UCLA: Denver
21. Stephen Paea, DT, Oregon State: Chicago
24. Shane Vereen, RB, California: New England
Third round
13. Jurrell Casey, DT, USC: Tennessee
20. Mason Foster, LB, Washington: Tampa Bay
25. Shareece Wright, CB, USC: San Diego
29. Christopher Conte, S, California: Chicago
33. Sione Fua, DT, Stanford: Carolina
Fourth round
5. Jordan Cameron, TE, USC: Cleveland
19. Casey Matthews, LB, Oregon: Philadelphia
21. Jalil Brown, CB, Colorado: Kansas City
27. Owen Marecic, FB, Stanford: Cleveland
Fifth round
8. Brandon Burton, CB, Utah: Minnesota
9. Gabe Miller, DE, Oregon State: Kansas City
14. Jacquizz Rodgers, RB, Oregon State: Atlanta
23. Richard Sherman, CB, Stanford: Seattle
Sixth round
2. Ryan Whalen, WR, Stanford: Cincinnati
14. Caleb Schlauderaff, OG, Utah: Green Bay
17. Ronald Johnson, WR, USC: San Francisco
19. David Carter, DT, UCLA: Arizona
22. Allen Bradford, RB, USC: Tampa Bay
24. Mike Mohamed, LB, California: Denver
32. Ricky Elmore, DE, Arizona: Green Bay
38. Zach Williams, C, Washington State: Carolina
Seventh round
12. D'Aundre Reed, DE, Arizona: Minnesota
24. Scotty McKnight, WR, Colorado: New York Jets
30. Lawrence Guy, DT, Arizona State: Green Bay
37. Stanley Havili, FB, USC: Philadelphia
38. David Ausberry, WR, USC: Oakland
39. Malcolm Smith, LB, USC: Seattle
By Pac-12 school:
Arizona (3)
Arizona State (1)
California (4)
Colorado (4)
Oregon (1)
Oregon State (3)
Stanford (4)
UCLA (3)
USC (9)
Utah (2)
Washington (2)
Washington State (1)
The final tally by automatic qualifying conferences:
SEC... 38
Pac-12... 37
Big Ten... 36
ACC... 35
Big East 22
Big 12...19
Nebraska was a big swing to the Big Ten from the Big 12 with seven picks. With Colorado and Nebraska, the Big 12 provided 30 selections.
This was the tally through three rounds:
SEC: 20
ACC: 19
Pac-12: 15
Big Ten: 13
Big 12: 9
Big East: 4
If the six combined picks from Colorado and Utah are taken away from the conference, the old Pac-10 provided NFL teams 3.1 draft picks per team, also just behind the SEC at 3.17.
Here's where the Pac-12 players went:
First round
No. 8 Jake Locker, QB, Washington: Tennessee
No. 9 Tyron Smith., OT, USC: Dallas
No. 17 Nate Solder, OT, Colorado: New England
No. 24 Cameron Jordan, DE, California: New Orleans
No. 27 Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado: Baltimore
Second round
7. Akeem Ayers, LB, UCLA: Tennessee
10. Brooks Reed, DE, Arizona: Houston
13. Rahim Moore, FS, UCLA: Denver
21. Stephen Paea, DT, Oregon State: Chicago
24. Shane Vereen, RB, California: New England
Third round
13. Jurrell Casey, DT, USC: Tennessee
20. Mason Foster, LB, Washington: Tampa Bay
25. Shareece Wright, CB, USC: San Diego
29. Christopher Conte, S, California: Chicago
33. Sione Fua, DT, Stanford: Carolina
Fourth round
5. Jordan Cameron, TE, USC: Cleveland
19. Casey Matthews, LB, Oregon: Philadelphia
21. Jalil Brown, CB, Colorado: Kansas City
27. Owen Marecic, FB, Stanford: Cleveland
Fifth round
8. Brandon Burton, CB, Utah: Minnesota
9. Gabe Miller, DE, Oregon State: Kansas City
14. Jacquizz Rodgers, RB, Oregon State: Atlanta
23. Richard Sherman, CB, Stanford: Seattle
Sixth round
2. Ryan Whalen, WR, Stanford: Cincinnati
14. Caleb Schlauderaff, OG, Utah: Green Bay
17. Ronald Johnson, WR, USC: San Francisco
19. David Carter, DT, UCLA: Arizona
22. Allen Bradford, RB, USC: Tampa Bay
24. Mike Mohamed, LB, California: Denver
32. Ricky Elmore, DE, Arizona: Green Bay
38. Zach Williams, C, Washington State: Carolina
Seventh round
12. D'Aundre Reed, DE, Arizona: Minnesota
24. Scotty McKnight, WR, Colorado: New York Jets
30. Lawrence Guy, DT, Arizona State: Green Bay
37. Stanley Havili, FB, USC: Philadelphia
38. David Ausberry, WR, USC: Oakland
39. Malcolm Smith, LB, USC: Seattle
By Pac-12 school:
Arizona (3)
Arizona State (1)
California (4)
Colorado (4)
Oregon (1)
Oregon State (3)
Stanford (4)
UCLA (3)
USC (9)
Utah (2)
Washington (2)
Washington State (1)
The final tally by automatic qualifying conferences:
SEC... 38
Pac-12... 37
Big Ten... 36
ACC... 35
Big East 22
Big 12...19
Nebraska was a big swing to the Big Ten from the Big 12 with seven picks. With Colorado and Nebraska, the Big 12 provided 30 selections.
This was the tally through three rounds:
SEC: 20
ACC: 19
Pac-12: 15
Big Ten: 13
Big 12: 9
Big East: 4
Links: It's all about the O-line at Oregon
April, 27, 2011
4/27/11
2:30
PM ET
By
Ted Miller | ESPN.com
I got laid off when they closed that asbestos factory, and wouldn't you know it, the army cuts my disability pension because they said that the plate in my head wasn't big enough.
- Former Arizona running back Nic Grigsby eyeballs the NFL draft, and the Wildcats pick up a quarterback commitment: All that here!
- Arizona State has an impressive true freshman quarterback.
- Former California defensive end Cameron Jordan leads the Bay Area draft prospects.
- Colorado is aiming to sell 25,000 season tickets.
- Oregon has star power, but it will beat -- or lose to -- LSU because its offensive line grew up fast. What are the prospects for NFL prospects from the state?
- Former Oregon State running back Jacquizz Rodgers has to prove himself again. The Beavers backup quarterbacks show off their stuff.
- Cal's Shane Vereen and Stanford's Owen Marecic have gotten to know each other.
- Checking in with former UCLA safety Rahim Moore.
- Noting the new USC depth chart.
- The move to the Pac-12 bolstered Utah's recruiting.
- Washington running back Chris Polk feels faster this spring. Some notes from Huskies practice.
- What did Washington State coach Paul Wulff have to say during his online chat?
ESPN draft guru Todd McShay took a measure of specific qualities of offensive of players expected to be selected in this week's NFL draft, which starts Thursday, and a number of Pac-12 players fall into interesting spots.
Here are some notes.
Quarterbacks
McShay ranked Washington's Jake Locker No. 3 overall among the QBs, behind Missouri's Blaine Gabbert and Auburn's Cam Newton.
He ranks Locker No. 2 in toughness/leadership.
Running backs
McShay ranks Oregon State's Jacquizz Rodgers and Stanford's Owen Marecic No. 1 among the RBs and FBs in competitiveness. Marecic is No. 2 among FBs in pass blocking.
He ranks California's Shane Vereen No. 3 in vision/patience, No. 2 in receiving skills and No. 3 in pass blocking.
USC's Stanley Havili No. 1 among FBs in vision/patience, agility/acceleration and receiving skills.
McShay has Vereen ranked ninth overall and Rodgers 10th among running backs. Marecic is No. 4 among FBs and Havili is No. 6.
Tight ends
McShay ranks USC's Jordan Cameron third in both ball skills and big-play ability.
He ranks Cameron sixth overall among TEs.
Offensive line
He ranks USC's Tyron Smith No. 1 in pass protection among OTs. He ranks Colorado's Nate Solder No. 2 in run blocking among OTs.
Among centers, USC's Kristofer O'Dowd ranks No. 3 in awareness.
McShay ranks Smith No. 1 overall among offensive line prospects. Solder is fifth.
Here are some notes.
Quarterbacks
McShay ranked Washington's Jake Locker No. 3 overall among the QBs, behind Missouri's Blaine Gabbert and Auburn's Cam Newton.
He ranks Locker No. 2 in toughness/leadership.
Running backs
McShay ranks Oregon State's Jacquizz Rodgers and Stanford's Owen Marecic No. 1 among the RBs and FBs in competitiveness. Marecic is No. 2 among FBs in pass blocking.
He ranks California's Shane Vereen No. 3 in vision/patience, No. 2 in receiving skills and No. 3 in pass blocking.
USC's Stanley Havili No. 1 among FBs in vision/patience, agility/acceleration and receiving skills.
McShay has Vereen ranked ninth overall and Rodgers 10th among running backs. Marecic is No. 4 among FBs and Havili is No. 6.
Tight ends
McShay ranks USC's Jordan Cameron third in both ball skills and big-play ability.
He ranks Cameron sixth overall among TEs.
Offensive line
He ranks USC's Tyron Smith No. 1 in pass protection among OTs. He ranks Colorado's Nate Solder No. 2 in run blocking among OTs.
Among centers, USC's Kristofer O'Dowd ranks No. 3 in awareness.
McShay ranks Smith No. 1 overall among offensive line prospects. Solder is fifth.
Pac-12 lunch links: Character not an issue for CU's Smith
April, 25, 2011
4/25/11
2:30
PM ET
By
Ted Miller | ESPN.com
Got money, and you know it
Take it out your pocket and show it
Then throw it like
This a way (uh huh)
That a way (uh huh)
Take it out your pocket and show it
Then throw it like
This a way (uh huh)
That a way (uh huh)
- For Arizona's draft-eligible players, the NFL draft is different.
- More from Arizona State's spring game.
- Checking in with former California O-lineman Donovan Edwards.
- Former Colorado CB Jimmy Smith is all about family. Further, acting like a college kid a few times doesn't make you a character risk.
- Lots of standouts for Oregon this spring, but the offensive line remains an issue. This Eugene native is still waiting for his breakthrough.
- Oregon State has many questions that won't be answered this spring. One question is tailback.
- This is a few days old but worth noting: Another academic award for former Stanford FB Owen Marecic.
- What did UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel have to say after the spring game?
- Five observations from USC's spring game.
- Utah's post-spring depth chart features some changes from its pre-spring look. The Utes pick up a commitment from a lineman.
- Washington QBs haven't of late done well in the NFL.
- On draft week, ruminations from a Washington State perspective on former QB Ryan Leaf.
- The Pac-12 is going for the gold with its media rights negotiations.
STANFORD, Calif. -- Stanford offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton doesn't seem intent on creating schematic surprises this season. And why would he be? His starting quarterback is the best player in college football, he's got two first-team Pac-10 linemen coming back and his depth at running back and tight end is outstanding.
Sure, there will be some tweaks to the Cardinal offense based on some new personnel and Andrew Luck's extraordinary abilities, but Hamilton will retain the basics of what made the offense dominant in 2010.
"We're not trying to trick you," he said. "We want to challenge you. We want to impose our will on our opponents."
Some notes from our chat (includes input from head coach David Shaw).
Sure, there will be some tweaks to the Cardinal offense based on some new personnel and Andrew Luck's extraordinary abilities, but Hamilton will retain the basics of what made the offense dominant in 2010.
"We're not trying to trick you," he said. "We want to challenge you. We want to impose our will on our opponents."
Some notes from our chat (includes input from head coach David Shaw).
- Hamilton's best quote came when I asked him about goals for Luck this fall: "He was able to complete 70 percent of his passes last year. Our goal is for him to complete 100 percent of his passes."
- As for competitions on the offensive line, Sam Schwartzstein owns a slight lead at center over Khalil Wilkes, and Kevin Danser -- an impressive finisher -- has emerged at left guard. The battle at right tackle between senior Tyler Mabry and redshirt freshmen Cameron Fleming and David Yankey is too close to call, with Shaw saying he's challenged them to fight harder to win the job instead of being content sharing it.
- As for receiver depth after Chris Owusu and Griff Whalen, Jamal-Rashad Patterson, Jemari Roberts and Drew Terrell have each had their moments. Consistency is still an issue.
- At backup QB, Josh Nunes is "starting to establish himself as potentially a big-time college football player when he gets the opportunity," Hamilton said. He leads Robbie Picazo, who missed action due to illness during the first spring session.
- The backfield is deep. Hamilton called Stepfan Taylor "a stud. A good player we trust." Sophomore Anthony Wilkerson and Jeremy Stewart are the backups, while Tyler Gaffney is out of the loop for now playing baseball. So no changes in the pecking order.
- Hamilton called Ryan Hewitt "Mr. Versatility." Hewitt is in line to replace Owen Marecic at fullback, but he'll play more of a hybrid FB/H-back role, in part because he's 6-foot-4.
- Hamilton on Marecic: "Having been around professional and college players, Owen Marecic is one of the best football players I've ever seen."
- Hamilton on his top two tight ends: "We expected Zach Ertz and Coby Fleener to have dominant years." Here's the funny thing: Sophomore Levine Toilolo, who is 6-foot-8, won the starting job in 2010 before blowing out his knee and he's still rehabbing. All three are NFL prospects at the position. "It's a good problem to have," Hamilton said of the depth.
Who owns Robert Redford?
We may have an angle to fire-up the Utah-Colorado rivalry (albeit a contrived, forced one)!
The response to the Pac-12's blog request for food and drink recommendations in Salt Lake City and Boulder from Utah and Colorado fans has been huge. And when I say "huge," I mean it took me three days to shuffle through all of the notes.
And from reading the notes, it became clear that Colorado fans particularly like "The Sink" -- a Boulder institution -- and many noted that Redford used to work there.
And, of course, Utah fans also know that Redford founded the Sundance Resort in Utah.
So where does Redford's heart belong? Colorado, where he went to school, or Utah, where he built a resort community and lives?
Ready, set ... insult each other! (You may need to consult Oregon and Washington fans about generating endless supplies of bile, though you, of course, have experience with Nebraska and BYU fans).
Anyway, just a thought.
Follow me on Twitter. (Talking to you, Sundance!)
To the notes.
Pedro from Eugene writes: Ted, Today the headline of your links was, "Another Duck knows Lyles." Who cares? Because of who this guy is, hundreds if not thousands of current and past college football players know him. This Oregon thing has been blown so far out of proportion they are writing articles about a guy with a different mentor knowing him; a guy who didn't even play a down of football for Oregon. Wow.
Ted Miller: Pedro, the simple answer is the NCAA is investigating Willie Lyles and other "street agents," and if the NCAA cares, you should care.
Lyles doesn't know thousands of college football players. I doubt he even "knows" a hundred. What I do know is that he knows a lot of players who were highly rated high school prospects, some of whom ended up at Oregon, including Dontae Williams, the player the article is about. Whether Williams played a down or not is irrelevant. He signed with Oregon and was on the team in 2010.
You say "wow," as if you're dumbfounded. You're either trying to spin things or you aren't paying attention. This a serious NCAA matter, whether or not the Ducks are found, in the end, to have violated NCAA rules.
The fundamental lesson in all this, however, is simple. Dear top high school prospects. You do not need to suddenly adopt a "mentor" your junior or senior years of high school. If a guy shows up and offers his mentorship AFTER you already are a nationally known prospect, know that what he offers is worthless to you but probably is valuable to him.
Dustin from Soldotna, Alaska writes: Ted,I was just reviewing your "Who's back from the top-25?" list. I can agree with all of them, but at the bottom you have the players on the left-out list. I have failed to see anywhere James Rogers being mentioned. I understand there is still a question mark by his name pending his full recovery, but shouldn't he still be considered at the very least with an * by his name? If he is able to play this year, knowing his love and intensity for playing the game he will shine like he has year in and year out. He would have no doubt been on your top-25 at the end of the season and the Beavs would have played in a bowl game without question if he had not been injured in Arizona. Alas that is all just would have, could have, should have stuff, but none-the-less I still think there should be consideration regarding the upcoming season when you compile your list this summer and James Rogers being included.I would love to hear your thoughts.
Ted Miller: Because he was out most of the year, James Rodgers was not considered for the top-25, but it would have been wise of me to at least mention his expected return (hopefully) in 2011. Rodgers WILL be in the preseason top-25 if he is cleared to play.
After all, he was ranked No. 6 heading into the 2010 season.
Greg from Hillsboro, Ore., writes: Wazzu. 2011 in the Pac-12. No one is paying any attention. I think they will surprise people this next season. I think they will win at least 5 games, maybe as many as 7. Wins: Idaho State, UNLV, @SDSU, @Colorado (they are terrible too), Oregon State. Losses: Stanford, @Oregon, @California, Arizona State. Unknowns/Swings: @UCLA, Utah, @Washington.They might even shock me and win all those swing games and win 8 games.Their DL has more depth, as does the LB group. DB's are a BIG question. Their OL is going to be better, and their WR group is pretty decent/good. And Tuel is a good QB. Lots of returning starters and players with an upgraded talent level. They gave OSU, UCLA, Stanford, Cal and UW all they could handle last year.... WSU will be better than many predict or think.As Gomer Pyle (in)famously said, "Surprise, surprise, surprise!"Doubt not Oregon fans Ted, you know better.
Ted Miller: If Washington State avoids the injury bug, I see it as a threat to win six games and be competitive with just about any team they play. I think the key is line play on both sides of the ball. If the Cougs can run and stop the run -- at least moderately -- much will be different in 2011. I think they are better than "decent" at receiver, and the secondary will be much improved in 2011, particularly if it gets help from a pass rush.
Not sure I'd write in road wins at San Diego State, Colorado and Oregon State. The Aztecs are no pushover, and I'm getting a feeling many of you old school Pac-10 fans are underestimating Colorado. And the Beavers are going to be plenty motivated at home to get revenge versus the Cougars.
Still, your point is solid. Washington State was competitive in 2010. The Cougs will take another step forward in 2011. They are no longer an easy out.
Eric from Albany, Ore., writes: Hey Ted, I love the coaching changes Riley has made this off-season. I have felt that the beavers have looked a little "old skool" on both sides of the ball for a while now. Last year was certainly a disappointment, but not entirely unexpected. What do you think about the changes at Oregon State? Do you think we can expect an immediate impact or are we more likely to only see an impact in recruiting, which could take a few seasons?
Ted Miller: Considering Oregon State had built a reputation over the past decade-plus of producing plenty of top-flight linebackers, it's hard to say that Greg Newhouse, the longest tenured coach in the program at 14 seasons, was dispatched because of his coaching. Though the Beavers LB play wasn't terribly good in 2010. The move did clearly show that coach Mike Riley was unhappy with the way things were going and he was willing to make a bold move. Riley is known for his loyalty to his staff, so it's doubtful that he made a change just to shake things up.
I don't know much about Brent Brennan (receivers) and Chris Brasfield (running backs). Both will be coaching critical positions for the Beavers in 2011. It would be easier for both to break in if they saw a Rodgers brother lining up with their unit this spring. From what I gather -- and a number of Beavers observers have written it -- recruiting was a big reason for making changes.
One of the more notable changes was defensive coordinator Mark Banker taking over the linebackers and Keith Heyward, who coached cornerbacks in 2010, taking over the entire secondary. That seems like a nice vote of confidence in Heyward. Coaching secondary is the quickest route to a coordinator role.
As for immediate impact, hard to say. Having good players helps. Brennan probably will look like a really good coach if he gets to pair a healthy Rodgers with Markus Wheaton. As for an impact in recruiting, we'll see next February.
Ryan from Tacoma writes: Just curious, wondering if you can quickly indulge me (and fully aware that if you do indulge me you possibly open yourself up to eventually making statements like "Player X is not in my top 350 because of Y"), but why did you leave Victor Aiyewa out of your top 45?Being a Dawg fan I know how inconsistent he was, but it seems that the conference's leader in tackles for loss should be one of its top 45 players.
Ted Miller: Aiyewa was a tough player to judge. He led the Pac-10 with 21 tackles for a loss, but he didn't earn All-Conference honors. I asked a couple of people about him during the season, and it seemed he was a bit of a "feast or famine" guy. He either made a big play or got blocked.
That was sort of what happened with Arizona DE Ricky Elmore. He led the Pac-10 in sacks with 11 but also was inconsistent at times, though he did end up second-team All-Pac-10.
Casey from Parts Unknown writes: I understand your perception of Havili being the number #1 fullback in the conference, but let me say you are wrong here. This perception has been driven by all the media. Every time you turn on a USC game the announcers massage the USC ego and talk about what a great player he is. But talk to people who critically watch what happens on the field, NFL scouts, etc and see who they would rather have blocking for Chris Johnson, Adrian Petersen, or Maurice Jones-Drew. Havili is no doubt a good player, but he is not a fullback in the traditional sense. He is a tailback who happens to line up in the fullback position on the field. While he is a good receiver and runner, the main job of a fullback is to block and Havili pales in comparison to Owen in this regard. Ask any linebacker in the Pac-10 who they would rather go up against in the middle of the hole and there would be no stuttering on their part. Let's see, Owen was selected to the Senior Bowl to play fullback, where was Havili? As you stated Owen was 10th in the Heisman voting, where was Havili? Owen won the Paul Hornung Award, where was Havili? As you stated some of this is due to Owen playing linebacker, but it is clear that he will be playing fullback at the next level. When it comes to playing fullback in the traditional sense, I am sorry, there is no comparison.
Ted Miller: I did notice the other day that ESPN.com's NFL draft folks actually have Marecic rated ahead of Havili, which did surprise me.
It will be interesting to see who gets picked first. Marecic is a better blocker than Havili, though I've heard that Havili is a better pass blocker. Also, Marecic is not a natural receiver and Havili is. That's a big skill for a fullback.
There aren't many traditional, lead-blocker fullbacks in the NFL anymore. My feeling is that Havili will be drafted before Marecic because of his versatility. But I could be wrong.
And, again, I love Marecic as a player and student-athlete.
Scott from Gilbert, Ariz., writes: Cliff Harris on the top 25. No doubt that the guy has skills but it may be his real talent is getting coaches, sports writers, teammates and fans to all shake their heads and say "Man, if that guy just , he would be a top 5 pick!". It takes real talent to get that many people to speak the same phrase in unison.
Ted Miller: The best analysis on Cliff Harris yet.
We may have an angle to fire-up the Utah-Colorado rivalry (albeit a contrived, forced one)!
The response to the Pac-12's blog request for food and drink recommendations in Salt Lake City and Boulder from Utah and Colorado fans has been huge. And when I say "huge," I mean it took me three days to shuffle through all of the notes.
And from reading the notes, it became clear that Colorado fans particularly like "The Sink" -- a Boulder institution -- and many noted that Redford used to work there.
And, of course, Utah fans also know that Redford founded the Sundance Resort in Utah.
So where does Redford's heart belong? Colorado, where he went to school, or Utah, where he built a resort community and lives?
Ready, set ... insult each other! (You may need to consult Oregon and Washington fans about generating endless supplies of bile, though you, of course, have experience with Nebraska and BYU fans).
Anyway, just a thought.
Follow me on Twitter. (Talking to you, Sundance!)
To the notes.
Pedro from Eugene writes: Ted, Today the headline of your links was, "Another Duck knows Lyles." Who cares? Because of who this guy is, hundreds if not thousands of current and past college football players know him. This Oregon thing has been blown so far out of proportion they are writing articles about a guy with a different mentor knowing him; a guy who didn't even play a down of football for Oregon. Wow.
Ted Miller: Pedro, the simple answer is the NCAA is investigating Willie Lyles and other "street agents," and if the NCAA cares, you should care.
Lyles doesn't know thousands of college football players. I doubt he even "knows" a hundred. What I do know is that he knows a lot of players who were highly rated high school prospects, some of whom ended up at Oregon, including Dontae Williams, the player the article is about. Whether Williams played a down or not is irrelevant. He signed with Oregon and was on the team in 2010.
You say "wow," as if you're dumbfounded. You're either trying to spin things or you aren't paying attention. This a serious NCAA matter, whether or not the Ducks are found, in the end, to have violated NCAA rules.
The fundamental lesson in all this, however, is simple. Dear top high school prospects. You do not need to suddenly adopt a "mentor" your junior or senior years of high school. If a guy shows up and offers his mentorship AFTER you already are a nationally known prospect, know that what he offers is worthless to you but probably is valuable to him.
Dustin from Soldotna, Alaska writes: Ted,I was just reviewing your "Who's back from the top-25?" list. I can agree with all of them, but at the bottom you have the players on the left-out list. I have failed to see anywhere James Rogers being mentioned. I understand there is still a question mark by his name pending his full recovery, but shouldn't he still be considered at the very least with an * by his name? If he is able to play this year, knowing his love and intensity for playing the game he will shine like he has year in and year out. He would have no doubt been on your top-25 at the end of the season and the Beavs would have played in a bowl game without question if he had not been injured in Arizona. Alas that is all just would have, could have, should have stuff, but none-the-less I still think there should be consideration regarding the upcoming season when you compile your list this summer and James Rogers being included.I would love to hear your thoughts.
Ted Miller: Because he was out most of the year, James Rodgers was not considered for the top-25, but it would have been wise of me to at least mention his expected return (hopefully) in 2011. Rodgers WILL be in the preseason top-25 if he is cleared to play.
After all, he was ranked No. 6 heading into the 2010 season.
Greg from Hillsboro, Ore., writes: Wazzu. 2011 in the Pac-12. No one is paying any attention. I think they will surprise people this next season. I think they will win at least 5 games, maybe as many as 7. Wins: Idaho State, UNLV, @SDSU, @Colorado (they are terrible too), Oregon State. Losses: Stanford, @Oregon, @California, Arizona State. Unknowns/Swings: @UCLA, Utah, @Washington.They might even shock me and win all those swing games and win 8 games.Their DL has more depth, as does the LB group. DB's are a BIG question. Their OL is going to be better, and their WR group is pretty decent/good. And Tuel is a good QB. Lots of returning starters and players with an upgraded talent level. They gave OSU, UCLA, Stanford, Cal and UW all they could handle last year.... WSU will be better than many predict or think.As Gomer Pyle (in)famously said, "Surprise, surprise, surprise!"Doubt not Oregon fans Ted, you know better.
Ted Miller: If Washington State avoids the injury bug, I see it as a threat to win six games and be competitive with just about any team they play. I think the key is line play on both sides of the ball. If the Cougs can run and stop the run -- at least moderately -- much will be different in 2011. I think they are better than "decent" at receiver, and the secondary will be much improved in 2011, particularly if it gets help from a pass rush.
Not sure I'd write in road wins at San Diego State, Colorado and Oregon State. The Aztecs are no pushover, and I'm getting a feeling many of you old school Pac-10 fans are underestimating Colorado. And the Beavers are going to be plenty motivated at home to get revenge versus the Cougars.
Still, your point is solid. Washington State was competitive in 2010. The Cougs will take another step forward in 2011. They are no longer an easy out.
Eric from Albany, Ore., writes: Hey Ted, I love the coaching changes Riley has made this off-season. I have felt that the beavers have looked a little "old skool" on both sides of the ball for a while now. Last year was certainly a disappointment, but not entirely unexpected. What do you think about the changes at Oregon State? Do you think we can expect an immediate impact or are we more likely to only see an impact in recruiting, which could take a few seasons?
Ted Miller: Considering Oregon State had built a reputation over the past decade-plus of producing plenty of top-flight linebackers, it's hard to say that Greg Newhouse, the longest tenured coach in the program at 14 seasons, was dispatched because of his coaching. Though the Beavers LB play wasn't terribly good in 2010. The move did clearly show that coach Mike Riley was unhappy with the way things were going and he was willing to make a bold move. Riley is known for his loyalty to his staff, so it's doubtful that he made a change just to shake things up.
I don't know much about Brent Brennan (receivers) and Chris Brasfield (running backs). Both will be coaching critical positions for the Beavers in 2011. It would be easier for both to break in if they saw a Rodgers brother lining up with their unit this spring. From what I gather -- and a number of Beavers observers have written it -- recruiting was a big reason for making changes.
One of the more notable changes was defensive coordinator Mark Banker taking over the linebackers and Keith Heyward, who coached cornerbacks in 2010, taking over the entire secondary. That seems like a nice vote of confidence in Heyward. Coaching secondary is the quickest route to a coordinator role.
As for immediate impact, hard to say. Having good players helps. Brennan probably will look like a really good coach if he gets to pair a healthy Rodgers with Markus Wheaton. As for an impact in recruiting, we'll see next February.
Ryan from Tacoma writes: Just curious, wondering if you can quickly indulge me (and fully aware that if you do indulge me you possibly open yourself up to eventually making statements like "Player X is not in my top 350 because of Y"), but why did you leave Victor Aiyewa out of your top 45?Being a Dawg fan I know how inconsistent he was, but it seems that the conference's leader in tackles for loss should be one of its top 45 players.
Ted Miller: Aiyewa was a tough player to judge. He led the Pac-10 with 21 tackles for a loss, but he didn't earn All-Conference honors. I asked a couple of people about him during the season, and it seemed he was a bit of a "feast or famine" guy. He either made a big play or got blocked.
That was sort of what happened with Arizona DE Ricky Elmore. He led the Pac-10 in sacks with 11 but also was inconsistent at times, though he did end up second-team All-Pac-10.
Casey from Parts Unknown writes: I understand your perception of Havili being the number #1 fullback in the conference, but let me say you are wrong here. This perception has been driven by all the media. Every time you turn on a USC game the announcers massage the USC ego and talk about what a great player he is. But talk to people who critically watch what happens on the field, NFL scouts, etc and see who they would rather have blocking for Chris Johnson, Adrian Petersen, or Maurice Jones-Drew. Havili is no doubt a good player, but he is not a fullback in the traditional sense. He is a tailback who happens to line up in the fullback position on the field. While he is a good receiver and runner, the main job of a fullback is to block and Havili pales in comparison to Owen in this regard. Ask any linebacker in the Pac-10 who they would rather go up against in the middle of the hole and there would be no stuttering on their part. Let's see, Owen was selected to the Senior Bowl to play fullback, where was Havili? As you stated Owen was 10th in the Heisman voting, where was Havili? Owen won the Paul Hornung Award, where was Havili? As you stated some of this is due to Owen playing linebacker, but it is clear that he will be playing fullback at the next level. When it comes to playing fullback in the traditional sense, I am sorry, there is no comparison.
Ted Miller: I did notice the other day that ESPN.com's NFL draft folks actually have Marecic rated ahead of Havili, which did surprise me.
It will be interesting to see who gets picked first. Marecic is a better blocker than Havili, though I've heard that Havili is a better pass blocker. Also, Marecic is not a natural receiver and Havili is. That's a big skill for a fullback.
There aren't many traditional, lead-blocker fullbacks in the NFL anymore. My feeling is that Havili will be drafted before Marecic because of his versatility. But I could be wrong.
And, again, I love Marecic as a player and student-athlete.
Scott from Gilbert, Ariz., writes: Cliff Harris on the top 25. No doubt that the guy has skills but it may be his real talent is getting coaches, sports writers, teammates and fans to all shake their heads and say "Man, if that guy just , he would be a top 5 pick!". It takes real talent to get that many people to speak the same phrase in unison.
Ted Miller: The best analysis on Cliff Harris yet.
This will be my final post on our 2010 top 25 players rankings. It's also a line between looking back at the Pac-10 and looking forward to the Pac-12.
This post projects ahead: These players are the leading candidates for a preseason top 25.
First, here's who's back in 2011 -- 11 players -- from our top-25.
1. Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
2. LaMichael James, RB, Oregon
4. Darron Thomas, QB, Oregon
6. Juron Criner, WR, Arizona
7. Chris Polk, RB, Washington
11. Omar Bolden, CB, Arizona State
13. Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State
14. Matt Barkley, QB, USC
18. Nick Foles, QB, Arizona
22. Cliff Harris, CB, Oregon
23. Jermaine Kearse, WR, Washington
And here's who's back -- nine players -- from our "left-out list."
Shayne Skov, LB, Stanford
Chase Thomas, LB, Stanford
Mychal Kendricks, LB, California
John Boyett, FS, Oregon
Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford
David DeCastro, OG, Stanford
Marquess Wilson, WR, Washington State
Jeff Tuel, QB, Washington State
Delano Howell, SS, Stanford
So that's 20 front-runners for the next list we'll put together this summer. Also, don't forget that competition will be more intense with the inclusion of Utah and Colorado for the next list.
Or will the Utes and/or Buffaloes get shutout? Neither welcomes back a first-team all-conference player from the Mountain West or Big 12, respectively (Colorado doesn't have a second-team player coming back, either).
Should be pretty interesting.
This post projects ahead: These players are the leading candidates for a preseason top 25.
First, here's who's back in 2011 -- 11 players -- from our top-25.
1. Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
2. LaMichael James, RB, Oregon
4. Darron Thomas, QB, Oregon
6. Juron Criner, WR, Arizona
7. Chris Polk, RB, Washington
11. Omar Bolden, CB, Arizona State
13. Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State
14. Matt Barkley, QB, USC
18. Nick Foles, QB, Arizona
22. Cliff Harris, CB, Oregon
23. Jermaine Kearse, WR, Washington
And here's who's back -- nine players -- from our "left-out list."
Shayne Skov, LB, Stanford
Chase Thomas, LB, Stanford
Mychal Kendricks, LB, California
John Boyett, FS, Oregon
Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford
David DeCastro, OG, Stanford
Marquess Wilson, WR, Washington State
Jeff Tuel, QB, Washington State
Delano Howell, SS, Stanford
So that's 20 front-runners for the next list we'll put together this summer. Also, don't forget that competition will be more intense with the inclusion of Utah and Colorado for the next list.
Or will the Utes and/or Buffaloes get shutout? Neither welcomes back a first-team all-conference player from the Mountain West or Big 12, respectively (Colorado doesn't have a second-team player coming back, either).
Should be pretty interesting.
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Ted Miller
Miller has been covering college football since 1997, starting with Auburn and then heading West to Washington and the Pac-12. His columns for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer won first place in the 2007 APSE Best Writing contest. The Atlanta native and University of Richmond graduate presently lives with his wife in Scottsdale, Ariz.
Kevin Gemmell
Gemmell covered San Diego State and the Mountain West Conference for three years before joining ESPN.com. As a Santa Clara graduate, his hope is that the Broncos will one day re-institute football. Until then, he lives vicariously through his readers. Gemmell lives in California with his wife and son.
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