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USC, which finished this season 10-2 and ranked No. 5, will have 19 starters returning in 2012 including both specialists and a guy by the name of Matt Barkley.

The Trojans welcome back their top rusher, top three receivers, four starting offensive lineman and a guy by the name of Matt Barkley.

Also back in 2012: The Trojans' top four tacklers. And five of their top six. And a first-team All-Pac-12 kicker. And a guy by the name of Matt Barkley.

The Trojans looked like a preseason top-10 team a month ago. They looked like the preseason Pac-12 South Division favorites. But when Barkley announced Thursday, "I have not yet finished my journey as a Trojan football player," it sent a shockwave across the college football landscape.

Remember that little girl staring at the TV snow in "Poltergeist"? All together now: "They're baaaaack!"

Barkley makes USC a national title contender. Barkley makes things around Heritage Hall feel like it's 2002-2008 all over again. Barkley means Trojans fans can stop thinking about the injustice it suffered when the NCAA whacked it with severe sanctions and start dreaming of BCS bowls again.

Just FYI: Miami on Jan. 7, 2013. What happened the last time the Trojans played in South Florida with big stakes?

Ah, the Oregon fans have just arrived. To borrow a phrase: Not so fast, my friend.

The Ducks are the three-time defending Pac-12 champions. They've got a whole bunch of key guys coming back in 2012, too. They, too, are a certain top-10 team, perhaps top-five. They will be the overwhelming favorites to win the North Division.

Both have highly favorable schedules. USC's nonconference schedule: Hawaii (with head coach Norm Chow!), at Syracuse and Notre Dame. Oregon's is, well, pitiful: Arkansas State, Fresno State and Tennessee Tech.

Oh, then there is this little date for both in LA next year. The Pac-12 schedules aren't official yet, but the conference confirmed to the Pac-12 blog that USC and Oregon will play in the Coliseum next fall. That regular-season game, not hard to project as a matchup of top-five teams, very likely could lead to a rematch in the Pac-12 title game, which could be a gateway to the national title game for the winner.

Ducks and Trojans: Feel free to talk amongst yourselves.

Meanwhile, Barkley, by passing up a chance to be a top-10 NFL draft pick as Matt Leinart and Andrew Luck did before him, immediately established himself as the leading 2012 Heisman Trophy candidate. His status as front-runner is only slightly less firm than Luck's was last year when he announced a shocking return.

And that point -- thump -- should provide a speed bump of moderation for our foray into admittedly hysterical hyperbole about Barkley and USC. Just about every time you try to write a college football season's story before it plays out, you end up being wrong.

Preseason predictions can be completely off: Oklahoma was the consensus preseason No. 1 this year. Or they can be slightly off: Luck and the overwhelming Heisman favorite in August. Or they can fall just short in the end: USC as the best team in college football history in 2005.

Or, then again, sometimes they are spot-on: USC in 2004 was preseason No. 1 as well as the postseason national champion.

Still, while grand scenarios are merely reasonably conceived potential endings for something that is a year away and laden with unforeseen variables, there is no downside on this day for USC. In fact, it spiderwebs positives throughout the program, from making the future at QB more secure, to bolstering the present recruiting effort, to getting USC fans excited and reinvested again, ready to fill up the Coliseum next fall.

By the way, USC folks aren't the only ones smiling. Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott is grinning ear-to-ear. He sees another bright, articulate Heisman Trophy candidate who conducts himself with class acting as the face of the conference, as Luck did this past fall. He sees two big ticket national title contenders in 2012, just as the conference's new TV contract kicks in. He's got broadcast partners -- ESPN and Fox -- as well as a new Pac-12 Network that are going to be thrilled that the conference's ratings-driving bell cow is back under the klieg lights in LA.

Toss in four new, high-profile coaches, and there are plenty of sexy story lines for the Pac-12 in 2012.

The week started with USC fans slapping their foreheads over Ohio State's middling NCAA sanctions for severe infractions. It was a frustrating reminder of the seeming cosmic forces that conspired to end the USC dynasty, including Pete Carroll skipping town back to the NFL.

But the week ends with an early Christmas gift for USC. Matt Barkley telling it, "I am staying because I want to finish what I started."

Yes, college football fans across the country pricked up their ears Thursday and thought, "Drat. I hear those darn "Tribute To Troy" drums again."

Is Matt Barkley a Heisman Trophy candidate?

Barkley completed 26 of 39 passes for 324 yards with five TDs and no interceptions as USC put together a solid four-quarter effort in a 38-17 crushing of Syracuse.

Barkley has nine TD passes and one interception in the Trojans' 3-0 start.

The Trojans figure to face a more substantial test in their first road game at Arizona State next weekend, a big Pac-12 South Division contest, considering USC already beat Utah.

Of course, USC can't play in the Pac-12 title game. But it can win the South Division.

Syracuse rushed for just 73 yards.

It's Matt Barkley and Robert Woods for USC again.

The Trojans lead Syracuse 17-3 despite rushing for just 26 yards. Barkley has completed 16 of 25 passes for 175 yards with two TDs and no interceptions. Woods has caught six passes for 70 yards.

The Trojans have 14 first downs, Syracuse 7.

The question: Can USC put four quarters together? USC has looked to be in control of its previous two games but had to cling to victory in the waning moments of both.

So does USC win 34-6? Or 20-17? Or does it's inconsistent focus finally cost it with a big Syracuse comeback?

Welcome to Week 3: Trojans Live!

ESPNLA.com’s interactive chat from the Coliseum, Saturday, 8 p.m. ET.
Swing by and talk to our staff covering the game against Syracuse.

Winning is not a sometime thing, it's an all time thing. You don't win once in a while, you don't do things right once in a while, you do them right all the time. Winning is habit. Unfortunately, so is losing.

• It's still uncertain if Arizona WR Juron Criner will play against Stanford.
• Arizona State fans are catching a case of the Pflu.
• An explanation for why California is playing Methodist, er, Presbyterian.
• Colorado is no longer fretting its field goal kicking.
• Missouri State could win at Oregon? One word: No.
• Demoted Oregon State QB Ryan Katz speaks to reporters, and, yes, he's not happy.
• Stanford tight end Coby Fleener is big and fast and tough to handle.
• Things are a bit uneasy for UCLA at kicker.
• USC's offense is struggling.
• Utah's offense is a work in progress.
• Washington will be down a safety at Nebraska.
• Washington State upped the intensity at practice.

I just want to apologize to Josh's mom, and Mike's mom, and my mom. I am so sorry! Because it was my fault. I was the one who brought them here. I was the one that said "keep going south." I was the one who said that we were not lost. It was my fault, because it was my project. I am so scared! I don't know what's out there. We are going to die out here! I am so scared!

• Arizona's young secondary coach faces some big challenges. Might a freshman help the Wildcats sagging run game?
• Arizona State quarterback Brock Osweiler is off to a good start. Linebacker Colin Parker has stepped up.
• Maybe California's frosh running back Brendan Bigelow won't redshirt after all. Dropped passes have hurt Cal.
• Is it must-win time for Colorado? Tickets in Denver aren't selling particularly well.
• Some Oregon injury news. Is this the guy to lead the Ducks' questionable corps of receivers?
• More on the big news at Oregon State: A quarterback change. Some injury notes here.
• It appears Stanford hasn't opened up its playbook just yet. The Cardinal are preparing for the heat? Folks, the predicted high of 93 degrees in Tucson means it will feel like you are sitting indoors. And the low will be 66, so bring a sweatshirt.
• Texas remembers what happened against UCLA last year. The Bruins may have injury issues at kicker.
• Has USC found its go-to running back? Some spots in the Trojans lineup are still up for grabs.
• Utah quarterback Jordan Wynn, his arm strength down since shoulder surgery, is relying on his brain to make plays. The Holy War has been about as even as a rivalry series can be.
• Washington DT Alameda Ta'amu is hoping for a repeat performance against Nebraska -- from the Holiday Bowl, not the regular season game. A Cornhusker perspective on the game.
• Washington State is unbeaten but unchallenged -- that will change this weekend at San Diego State. Some Coug notes.
• Jon Wilner takes a crack at how divisions might be split up in 14- and 16-team expansion scenarios.

Oregon State is the only Pac-12 team off this week, and there are several big nonconference games and a big conference one in Tucson.

All games are on Saturday, Sept. 17. Here's a quick look (all times ET).

Colorado versus Colorado State (Denver), 1:30 p.m., FSN: The Buffaloes took a step forward last weekend against California after a poor showing at Hawaii, but at 0-2 they are desperate for a win. The Rams are 2-0 after beating New Mexico and Northern Colorado. The Buffs have won four of the past six in the series.

Texas at UCLA, 3:30 p.m. ABC/ESPN3: Texas wants revenge for last season's embarrassing loss at home. Both teams have issues at quarterback. But Mack Brown's seat isn't nearly as hot as Rick Neuheisel's.

Washington at Nebraska, 3:30 p.m. ABC/ESPN3: The rubber match in a three-game series. The first two games couldn't have been more different: A Nebraska blowout win in Husky Stadium followed by a physically dominant performance by Washington in the Holiday Bowl.

Missouri State at Oregon, 3:30 p.m. OSN: This will be a long, long day for Missouri State.

Presbyterian at California, 5:30 p.m.: The Blue Hose just want to escape with their lives. And a paycheck.

Washington State at San Diego State, 6:30 p.m. Mountain West Network: The Cougars can get halfway to bowl eligibility with a victory on the road. Both teams are 2-0. Quarterback Ryan Lindley and running back Ronnie Hillman will test what looks to be a vastly improved Cougar defense. And can WSU quarterback Marshall Lobbestael keep up his torrid pace?

Arizona State at Illinois, 7 p.m. Big Ten Network: The Sun Devils will try to avoid a letdown on the road after beating Missouri at home. Illinois and quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase have yet to be tested after playing two patsies, but that also means the Sun Devils have no useful film for this game.

Syracuse at USC, 8 p.m. FX: The Trojans hope to improve to 3-0 against a Syracuse program that appears to be climbing in the Big East pecking order.

Utah at BYU, 9:15, ESPN2/ESPN3: Utah won the Holy War 17-16 last year -- the Utes blocked a last-second field goal attempt -- and has won six of the past 10 matchups in the series. This is the first matchup of the former Mountain West Conference foes with the Utes in the Pac-12 and BYU an Independent, which is why the game is in September instead of at the end of the regular season.

Stanford at Arizona, 10:45 p.m., ESPN/ESPN3: After two easy games, quarterback Andrew Luck and Stanford get a tough road test in front of the 'Zona Zoo. This is the second of three games versus top-10 foes for the Wildcats. A nice matchup of quarterbacks with Nick Foles trying to get the Wildcats back on track.

Some quick notes to get you through the hours until Saturday. Many thanks to ESPN Stats & Information.

• While some have said that LSU losing QB Jordan Jefferson to suspension isn't a huge deal, that's not completely true. For one, there's mobility. Jefferson ran for 32 first downs last season, 14 of which came after he improvised from the original play. LSU will not have this element to its offense against Oregon, as Jarrett Lee’s career-high in rushing is one yard.
• Lee also has struggled to throw the ball downfield over the past two seasons, completing just 5 of 26 throws of 15+ yards.
• Oregon ran for only 75 yards in the BCS Championship Game. It was only the second time in the past two seasons the Ducks were held under 100 yards rushing. The other was in the Ducks' season opening loss to Boise State in 2009.
• Since 2009, Ducks running back LaMichael James has 36 runs of 20-plus yards, tops in the FBS.
• LSU's defense is talented, but it hasn't been infallible stopping a spread rushing attack. Auburn racked up 440 rushing yards on LSU last year.
• Oregon led FBS in 2010 with 45 touchdown drives that lasted two minutes or less. The Ducks also led FBS with 23 touchdown drives of three plays or fewer.
• Oregon scored 27 offensive touchdowns from 25 yards or longer last season, which tied Auburn for the most in the nation. The Ducks scored at least two or more of these touchdowns in nine games last season, also tied for the most in FBS.
• Washington and Eastern Washington and Washington State and Idaho State are meeting for the first time.
• USC is 72-27-3 (.721) all-time versus the Big Ten. It has won 11 in a row against the conference and 32 out of 40.
• 70 players on USC's 112-man roster have never taken a snap for the Trojans.
• UCLA has won five of six season openers. It's 3-2 all-time against Houston, including last year's 31-13 victory.
• This is Oregon State and Sacramento State's second meeting. The Beavers won 40-7 in 2003.
• Stanford is 49-14-1 against San Jose State, including a 42-17 win in 2009.
• Fresno State leads its series with California 2-0, including a 17-3 victory in 2000.
• Washington hasn't won a season opener since 2007 -- Jake Locker's debut at Syracuse. Eastern Washington is the defending FCS champion and is preseason No. 1 in FCS.
• Washington State hasn't been 1-0 since 2005.

Ninth 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: USC

Best case

In the bowels of the Coliseum, USC gathers before taking the field against Minnesota.

"I want to read you something," coach Lane Kiffin says, flicking open a one-page letter

"President Nikias. I appreciate your grace last week when announcing that USC would not pursue any further redress against the NCAA. What I find unconscionable is where this leaves the NCAA. I have personally reviewed the facts of USC's case before the Committee on Infractions, and I can tell you that I am not the only one inside these walls who has long been troubled by the Committee's findings and the resulting severe sanctions against your football program. USC was wronged well before news broke of the massive scandal at Miami under former athletic director Paul Dee, who was not fit to sit judgment of USC as the Committee chair. The combination of a poorly reasoned and unjust ruling and Dee's hypocrisy simply cannot stand. That is why I am taking the unprecedented action of ruling sanctions against USC null-and-void. Sincerely, NCAA president Mark Emmert."

That was not good news for the Golden Gophers, who go down 52-3.

"I'll tell you what it means," says linebacker Chris Galippo. "It means that the rest of college football hears one thing echoing in its collective head right now, 'They're baaaaaaack!'"

A rumor starts to float that SEC commissioner Mike Slive was found locked in his office closet, repeatedly murmuring, "But I don't want USC to be eligible. It's not fair!"

Poll voters immediately promote USC to No. 10 in the polls.

The Trojans batter Utah in the first Pac-12 game, 41-17.

"I know it's the new Pac-12," says ESPN's Chris Fowler. "But it seems a lot like the old Pac-10, circa 2002-2008."

The Trojans bludgeon Syracuse, 60-6 and rise to No. 5.

"Arizona State is going to test USC," says ESPN's Kirk Herstreit. "The Sun Devils have already manhandled a two good teams in Missouri and Illinois."

USC rolls the Sun Devils 38-10, with quarterback Matt Barkley throwing his ninth and 10th TD passes on the year. He throws 11, 12 and 13 in a 41-17 victory over Arizona and two more in a 44-7 win at California and a 33-17 win over Notre Dame.

"Barkley has 17 touchdown passes in seven games; Stanford's Andrew Luck has 16," says Fowler. "Fair to say the winner Saturday becomes the Heisman Trophy frontrunner?'

Stanford nips the Trojans 30-27, with Luck scrambling for 20 yards on third and 8 to set up the game-winning field goal.

The Trojans bounce back with blowout wins over Colorado and Washington, setting up a showdown with top-ranked Oregon, which is coming off a 33-30 overtime win over Stanford.

LaMichael James rushes for 154 yards and two scores in a 33-24 Ducks victory.

The Trojans batter UCLA, 45-20, beating the Bruins for the 12th time in 13 years.

The No. 8 Trojans face the top-ranked Ducks (again!) for the inaugural Pac-12 crown.

They gather before running into Autzen Stadium. Kiffin begins: "What a ride. We've seen a lot of stuff together these two years, huh? Stuff that was out of our control. Stuff that didn't let the Trojans be what Trojans truly are: Champions. But we're in control again, aren't we? It's about us again. And we've got a chance tonight to reclaim what has been taken from us. What is ours. Understand: Our victory will be remembered. It will become an important part of Trojans history. No, we're not going to get an opportunity to play for the national title like a lot of 'SC teams, though I'd like our chances in a playoff. But USC fans and former Trojans are going to remember you as the team who took back our championship identity, which was stolen from us. They will say, 'That was the team that reestablished the tradition.' And they will remember your names. The rest of college football is watching tonight, rooting against us, worried about the return of USC. Well, let's go out there and show them that their worries are 100 percent justified."

James is stuffed by Galippo on a fourth-and-goal inside the USC 1-yard line with 45 seconds left. Three Barkley sneaks later, and USC is a 29-23 winner, headed back to the Rose Bowl as Pac-12 champions.

USC stuffs Wisconsin 35-17 in the Rose Bowl to finish 12-2 and ranked fourth.

"I'm coming back for my senior year," Barkley announces. "because I want to win a national championship before I leave."

The Trojans signed the nation's No. 1 recruiting class.

"I'd like to announce a home-and-home series with USC," says a grim-faced Alabama athletic director, Mal Moore.

"Mr. Moore, over here," shouts an uncommonly stylish reporter. "Is this a reaction to the rumored reality series for the Pac-12 network this fall, 'See what SEC athletic directors do when USC calls!'"

"Shutup Miller," a grim-faced Alabama athletic director says.

Worst case

Quarterback Matt Barkley throws three touchdown passes in a 30-23 season-opening win over Minnesota.

"Yeah, I think everyone is curious what Utah will bring to the table," says Barkley. "Our job is to give them a rude welcome."

The game is tied 28-28 late in the fourth quarter. On a third and 3 from its own 15, Utes QB Jordan Wynn finds DeVonte Christopher for an 85-yard, game-winning touchdown after USC cornerback Nickell Robey fell down.

The Trojans bounce back by whipping Syracuse 33-10, but Arizona State sacks Barkley four times in a 24-10 victory. USC improves to 3-2 with a home win over Arizona, but gets drubbed at California 35-20 and gives up a late TD in a 30-24 loss at Notre Dame after another coverage breakdown. Andrew Luck throws three TD passes in a 40-24 Stanford win over the Trojans.

USC shows some fight, winning at Colorado and at home over Washington, but it looks lethargic while taking a 48-20 whipping at Oregon.

"We play a faceless opponent every week," Ducks coach Chip Kelly says when asked if it still feels special to stomp USC, which Oregon has done three years in a row.

"Is it easier selling that to your players now than it was in 2008?" asks an uncommonly stylish reporter.

Kelly smiles, "Shutup, Miller."

"We still have plenty to play for," Kiffin says. "For one, we always want to beat UCLA. That can make a season. Finishing .500 is certainly better than the alternative. And we can stop the Bruins from winning the South Division."

UCLA defensive end Datone Jones sacks Barkley three times as the Bruins roll over the Trojans 33-17.

"Do I feel sorry for USC?" Bruins coach Rick Neuheisel says. "A little."

The Bruins lose to Oregon in the Pac-12 title game but they whip Texas A&M in the Alamo Bowl and finished 10-4 and ranked 14th.

UCLA's 31-player class -- six elite prospects are brought in early to count against the 2011 class -- ranks sixth in the nation, two spots behind Notre Dame.

"It was great to cherry-pick Southern California recruiting," says Neuheisel. "So much talent. Glad we had a full allotment of scholarships."

USC's class of 15 ranks eighth in the Pac-12.

"Tough times don't last, tough people do," says Kiffin. "Wait... where did I hear that?"

Murmurs USC athletic director Pat Haden, "Not for long if they go 5-7 as USC's head coach."

Barkley, offensive tackle Matt Kalil, defensive end Nick Perry, defensive end Devon Kennard and safety T.J. McDonald each announced they are entering the NFL draft.

Ring! Ring!

"Pat, hiya! Mal Moore down here at the University of Alabama," says Mal Moore to Haden. "How you? Good, good. You want to bring your boys down here for a football game? We'd love to see 'ya!"

We're reviewing each Pac-12 team's schedule, now focusing on the South Division.

Up next: USC

Breakdown: seven home (five conference games), five road (four conference games)

Nonconference opponents (with 2010 records)

Sept. 3 Minnesota (3-9)
Sept. 17 Syracuse (8-5)
Oct. 22 at Notre Dame (8-5)

South Division games

Sept. 10 Utah
Sept. 24 at Arizona State
Oct. 1 Arizona
Nov. 4 at Colorado
Nov. 26 UCLA

Crossover games

Oct. 13 at California
Oct. 29 Stanford
Nov. 12 Washington
Nov. 19 at Oregon

Conference misses

Oregon State
Washington State

Key stretch: It's difficult to rate a "key stretch" for a team that is ineligible for the postseason, but if you look at last season you see the Trojans faltered late, losing two of their final three games. A strong finish in 2011 would send USC into the offseason on a high note, with the postseason back in play in 2012. After playing at California on Thursday, Oct. 13, the Trojans have extra time to prepare for a visit to Notre Dame, which is the first of six consecutive weeks of games, a run that include a pair of likely high ranked foes -- Stanford and Oregon -- as well as a grudge match with Washington (the Huskies have won two in a row versus the Trojans) and rival UCLA. Those games will be the measuring stick of the 2011 season.

Trap game: In the midst of that "key stretch," is a Friday night game at Colorado. What happened a year ago at night in Corvallis?

Sure thing: As usual, USC doesn't play any patsies -- all opponents are AQ programs. But it's a good bet that the home opener versus the Golden Gophers is going to end up in the 'W' column.

Analysis: This is a typically tough USC schedule, though it (again) lacks the marquee nonconference foe of past seasons. Notre Dame is expected to be a top-25 team, so that visit to South Bend won't be easy. The bye on Oct. 8 is followed by a Thursday game, so the break won't be as long as usual. Seven home games is good, particularly spending the first three weeks at home. The crossover schedule is not: Playing Oregon and Stanford; missing Oregon State (Beavers aren't as tough on the Trojans in LA) and Washington State. The home finale against UCLA probably will have significant say in the Bruins bowl prospects as well as coach Rick Neuheisel's future. The Trojans and coach Lane Kiffin can't afford to take a step back after finishing 8-5 in 2010. But are there eight or nine wins on this schedule?

A few more Pac-12 broadcast notes.

The conference announced Wednesday seven more games that will be televised on Fox Sports Net, FX or Versus.

They are:

Sept. 3 UCLA at Houston, TBA, FSN
Sept. 10 Nevada at Oregon, 3:30 ET, FX
Sept. 10 Utah at USC, 7:30 ET, Versus
Sept. 17 Colorado State vs. Colorado, 1:30 ET, FSN
Sept. 17 Syracuse at USC, 6:30 ET, FSN or FX
Nov. 25 Colorado at Utah, 3:30 ET, FSN
Nov. 26 UCLA at USC, 10 p.m. ET, FSN

You can see the TV schedule so far here.

Don't get too worked up if your team isn't already scheduled. There will be plenty of other opportunities for it to get picked up.

Six game telecasts have been selected out of the 24 FSN telecast windows, with the remaining 18 windows available for in-season selection. FX plans to televise 14 games and will make its weekly game selection from either the Pac-12, Big 12 or Conference USA. Versus will televise seven Pac-12 games.

ESPN/ABC previously made 15 game selections out of its 20 telecast windows on May 10. In-season selections will be made either six or 12 days prior to the games.

USC announced times and TV plans for three games Wednesday.

• The Sept. 10 home game against Utah -- the first game in Pacific-12 Conference history -- will kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET and will be shown live on Versus.

• The Sept. 17 home game against Syracuse will begin at 6:30 p.m. ET live on FSN or 8 p.m. ET live on FX. That time will be finalized later this month.
• The crosstown rivalry clash against UCLA in the Coliseum on Nov. 26 will start at 10 p.m. ET and will be shown live on FSN.

The only other USC game this season with an undetermined start time is the Oct. 1 home game against Arizona. That kickoff time will be announced two weeks prior to the game when the television networks make their selections for that date, with the possible options ranging from 3:30 p.m. ET to 10:30 p.m. ET.

Every preseason we take a look at potential best-case and worst-case scenarios for every Pac-10 team. While these are often tongue-in-cheek, they nonetheless represent the top and bottom we see for each team.

So it might be worthwhile to revisit each.

Next up is Washington, which finished 7-6 and beat Nebraska in the Holiday Bowl.

Best case: 10-3, final No. 9 ranking after beating Texas in the Alamo Bowl.

What was right: Not much, and the Jake Locker skeptics surely will want to crow. The Huskies did beat Syracuse, Oregon State and win their final three games. They did lose to Arizona and Stanford. They did win their bowl game over a Big 12 team. And Husky Stadium is being renovated.

What was wrong: Of the Huskies' first five games, only one -- Syracuse -- was projected correctly. The biggest miss, of course, was Locker's "tour de force performance" against Nebraska that inspired ESPN's Chris Fowler to say, "Guess the Locker skeptics will hush now." Er, no. There was no win at Oregon, no Heisman Trophy for Locker nor a final national ranking. And, no, Bill Gates didn't volunteer to fund a Husky Stadium renovation, which has been considerably scaled back from ambitious original models.

Worst case: 3-9.

What was right: Not a lot. An injury to Locker -- ribs -- did hamper him and cause him to miss one game, the blowout loss at Oregon. The Huskies did lose to BYU, Nebraska, Arizona, Stanford and the Ducks. They did beat Syracuse.

What was wrong: For one, the scenario is missing a game: UCLA, which was apparently projected as a win. So score one for stupid. The entire tone is off, considering the projection hangs on the Huskies being a one-man team, relying entirely on Locker. The key to the Huskies' turnaround in 2010 was becoming more than Locker. Losses to USC, Oregon State, California and Washington State were wrong. A win over Arizona State was wrong. The Huskies ended up winning a bowl game, which capped a four-game winning streak to end the season.

Conclusion: Is it just me or are both these scenarios just flat wrong? No, it's not just me. It's fair to say that the Huskies' moderately successful season -- first bowl game since 2002; first bowl win since 2000 -- played out in a way that surprised many, including me. The reality fell somewhere in the middle, and in an unanticipated way.

The Pac-10 chant for the 2010 season: "We're No. 2! We're No. 2!"

Hey, it could be worse.

It should come as no surprise that the SEC reigns supreme in ESPN Stats & Information final college football conference rankings for 2010. Sure, the SEC was only 5-5 this bowl season, but it won a fifth consecutive national championship -- with a fifth different team in the BCS Era -- and finished with six teams in the final AP poll.

The Pac-10 blog has taken issue with the almost reflexive assumption of SEC supremacy a number of times in the past, mostly because the Pac-10 blog -- humbly -- only wished to educate the ignorant. The Pac-10 blog, however, will only tip its cap to the SEC this year.

The SEC was way ahead of the Pac-10 in the final tally, while the Pac-10, No. 3 Big 12 and No. 4 Big Ten were fairly tight. More than a few folks from the Big 12 might give the final rankings a "harrumph." The Big 12, after all, had five teams ranked in the final top-25, the Pac-10 just two.

In an interesting twist, it is the Pac-10 that appears top-heavy compared to the Texas-Oklahoma conference. With No. 3 Oregon and No. 4 Stanford, the Pac-10 is the only conference with two teams ranked in the final top-five, but after that no other teams ended up in the top-25, and only one, Washington, received any votes in either final major poll.

And that was just a single vote in the Coaches poll. FYI: Steve Sarkisian was a voter this season.

The Pac-10 is helped in the conference standings by bowl victories against teams ranked in the final AP poll: Stanford against No. 16 Virginia Tech, the ACC champion, and Washington against No. 20 Nebraska, the Big 12 North champ. Further, the Pac-10 posted nonconference wins against Iowa, Notre Dame and Hawaii -- all three received votes in both final polls -- as well as Syracuse and Louisville, which both won bowl games. Victories against Texas, Colorado, Wake Forest, Tennessee and Houston don't carry as much weight as they would in most seasons, but they contributed to a strong 17-12 overall record versus FBS foes and a 12-7 mark against AQ conference foes.

While some are hung up on the Pac-10 only producing four bowl-eligible teams -- it actually was five; USC was just ineligible because of NCAA sanctions -- the tough nonconference schedules and the nine-game conference slate are mostly responsible for that. Arizona State, which lost by a single point at Wisconsin, would have been bowl eligible if San Jose State didn't break a game contract to chase a payday with Alabama, and the same could be said of Oregon State if it didn't schedule a pair of top-10 nonconference foes (No. 2 TCU and No. 9 Boise State).

The Pac-10's arduous schedule is accounted for, by the way, in the highly respected Sagarin Ratings, which rank the Pac-10 No. 1.

Still, the Pac-10 wasn't No. 1 in its final year before it becomes the Pac-12. The SEC earned the top spot after beating the undefeated Pac-10 champion for the national title.

Again, a tip of the cap. No trash talk.

One last thing, though: Oregon-LSU, Sept. 3.

Buckle up.

Utah and Colorado should fit right in when Pac-12 play begins next fall, at least in terms of playing tough nonconference schedules.

The Utes will maintain their rivalry with BYU and they also visit Pittsburgh. Colorado has two tough road trips -- at Hawaii to open and at Ohio State -- as well as its rivalry game with Colorado State.

As a whole, it will be another tough year of nonconference scheduling, with games against Oklahoma State, Missouri, LSU, Wisconsin, Texas, Notre Dame and Nebraska being highlights.

Here's a look (note: California and Oregon are still filling out their dates).

Arizona
9/3 Northern Arizona
9/10 at Oklahoma State
11/26 Louisiana-Lafayette

Arizona State
9/3 UC Davis
9/10 Missouri
9/17 at Illinois

California
9/3 Fresno State (Candlestick Park in San Francisco)
According to the school: "Cal's remaining two non-conference games scheduled for September 10 (away) and 17 (home) will be announced at a later date.

Colorado
9/3 at Hawaii
9/17 Colorado State
9/24 at Ohio State

Oregon
9/3 LSU (Arlington, Texas, Cowboys Stadium)
9/10 Nevada
(Oregon has open dates on 9/17 and 10/01 that are listed as TBA; one will be filled with another nonconference foe).

Oregon State
9/3 Sacramento State
9/10 at Wisconsin
10/15 BYU

Stanford
9/3 San Jose State
9/10 at Duke
11/26 Notre Dame

UCLA
9/3 at Houston
9/10 San Jose State
9/17 Texas

USC
9/3 Minnesota
9/17 Syracuse
10/22 at Notre Dame

Utah
9/1 Montana State
9/17 at BYU
10/15 at Pittsburgh

Washington
9/3 Eastern Washington
9/10 Hawaii
9/17 at Nebraska

Washington State
9/3 Idaho State
9/10 UNLV
9/17 at San Diego State