ESPN College Football

And so it begins.

• Arizona is hoping to nickel and dime Toledo to death. On defense, we mean.
• Arizona State safety Clint Floyd is solid at safety, but there are some concerns about DT depth. A notebook.
• A couple of updates with California's offensive line. Filling the voids on defense.
• Despite, er, the loss of certain players, Oregon's expectations are really high. So much Oregon stuff here that you'll never read every word.
• Paul Buker takes a nice, big-picture look at Oregon State's Jacquizz Rodgers. The return of Wilder McAndrews is a good story.
• What were Stanford's training camp surprises.
• UCLA kicker Kai Forbath might not play at Kansas State, which is another big injury hit for the snakebit Bruins. Also, QB Kevin Prince remains iffy.
• Its tumultuous offseason over, USC now focuses on Hawaii. USC wouldn't consider leaving the Pac-10 to go independent, would it?
• It appears Washington RB Chris Polk wants to talk with his legs. The Huskies are ready-- and mostly healthy -- for BYU.'
• Some Washington State notes and a look at the two QBs who'll face off in Stillwater on Saturday.
• Jon Wilner's always entertaining and informative action/reaction.

Gentlemen, the hopes and dreams of an entire town are riding on your shoulders. You might never matter again in your life as much as you do right now.

• Alex Zendejas is ready to get his kicks for Arizona.
• All signs point to Steven Threet being named Arizona State's quarterback Monday. Notes from Sunday's practice.
• Training camp ends for California. A round table on the Bears quarterback situation (read: Kevin Riley).
• The quarterback job won, now Oregon is Darron Thomas' team. The decision is met with approval here. The Ducks' depth chart.
• The return of Oregon State lineman Wilder McAndrews is one of the best stories of the preseason. A Q&A with Beavers defensive coordinator Mark Banker.
• This Stanford defensive lineman is already a first-round draft choice. Some Bay Area football notes.
• Sean Westgate doesn't look the part of a linebacker, but he's going to start for UCLA. Rick Neuheisel is trying to put the puzzle pieces together.
• USC receiver Brice Butler is one of a number of Trojans trying to fight their way up the depth chart. The Trojans' offensive line depth takes another hit.
• A lot has been written about Washington quarterback Jake Locker, but this story is worth reading. A Sunday notebook. Defensive lineman Alameda Ta’amu is leaner, better.
• Washington State's defensive line might surprise some folks. The road has been windingfor this Cougars linebacker. For Jeff Tuel: Previous Cougars quarterbacks have struggled before breaking through.
• Some predictions for the season and the week ahead.

It's hard to imagine too many conferences will be as experienced on the offensive line as the Pac-10 in 2010. One would think that's a good thing. A really good thing.

Eight teams welcome back four or more starters. Only Arizona State, with one full-time and one part-time starter back, and USC, with three starters returning, have more than one void to fill.

This is a much different situation than last year, when the position was a huge question for most conference teams (other than USC, which, nonetheless, dramatically underachieved last fall).

Of course, returning starters aren't everything: Both UCLA and Washington State welcome back four starters, but both units probably still keep their fans up at night because of the poor production in 2009. And both were experienced units heading into last fall.

So where do things stand?

Great shape

• Oregon: The Ducks not only welcome back all five starters, they welcome back all 10 members of their 2009 two-deep.
• Stanford: The Cardinal have four starters back from what might have been the best offensive line in the Pac-10 last year.
• Arizona: The Wildcats have four starters back and a fifth lineman, Phillip Garcia, who started two games last year.
• Oregon State: Four starters are back and the re-emergence of oft-injured tackle Wilder McAndrews could bolster depth.
• California: Four starters are back from a talented line that underachieved in 2009 -- see 31 sacks surrendered.

Good shape

• USC: Three starters are back and all three have NFL futures. Beyond them, though, there's a lack of experience and depth.
• Washington: Four starters are back from a unit that struggled at times in 2009. Depth also is a question.

We'll see

• UCLA: Four starters are back, but Nik Abele, projected to fill the void at LT, was forced to retire due to neck problems. Bruins ranked ninth in rushing and gave up 29 sacks in '09.
• Washington State: Four starters are back, and JC transfers should help, but Cougars couldn't block anyone last year.
• Arizona State: The Sun Devils lost four starters from a crew that ranked eighth in rushing and gave up 27 sacks. Both projected starting tackles haven't played a down of college football.

Fifth in a series taking a look at top position competitions this fall.

Oregon State: Offensive guard

Why the competition? Right guard Gregg Peat is the only 2009 starter not back on the Beavers offensive line, but the only certainties after spring practices are Alex Linnenkohl at center and Mike Remmers at right tackle.

Candidates: Sophomore Michael Philipp (6-3, 307), Grant Johnson (6-3, 280), Burke Ellis (6-4, 280), Colin Kelly (6-4, 285), Ryan Pohl (6-3, 284) and Michael Lamb (6-3, 282).

The skinny: The easy way for this to go is four starters return to their 2009 spots and Ellis and Kelly compete for the starting job at right guard. But the Beavers are looking for their best five guys, and that might mean some shuffling. So does Philipp stay at left tackle, where he started as a true freshman, or does he move inside to left guard because of how well Wilder McAndrews played this spring while Philipp sat out with a knee injury? And does McAndrews, after a career that almost ended because of hand and wrist injuries, stay healthy? Second, does Johnson, a returning starter at left guard who missed spring after shoulder surgery, then move to the right side to compete with Ellis and Kelly? Or will someone else emerge? McAndrews is the wild card. If he's one of the best five, then things will shuffle. If Philipp is back at tackle, then right guard is the only hot spot.

OREGON STATE

2009 overall record: 8-5

2009 conference record: 6-3 (tied for second)

Returning starters

Offense: 8, Defense: 7, punter/kicker: 2

Top returners: RB Jacquizz Rodgers, WR James Rodgers, C Alex Linnenkohl, DT Stephen Paea, DE Gabe Miller, LB Dwight Roberson, CB James Dockery

Key losses: QB Sean Canfield, LB Keaton Kristick, LB David Pa'aluhi, DE Matt LaGrone

2009 statistical leaders (*returning starter)

Rushing: Jacquizz Rodgers* (1,440)

Passing: Sean Canfield (3,271)

Receiving: James Rodgers* (1,034)

Tackles: Keaton Kristick (95)

Sacks: Stephen Paea*, Gabe Miller* (3)

Interceptions: Lance Mitchell* (3)

Spring Answers

1. Cool Katz: Sophomore Ryan Katz entered the spring as the favorite to win the quarterback job and he didn't disappoint. He has a big arm and good mobility. All he is missing is experience. He'll enter fall camp as the clear leader, while Peter Lalich and Cody Vaz compete for the backup job.

2. There are plenty of offensive weapons: Everything starts with the Rodgers brothers, running back Jacquizz and receiver James, but it doesn't end there. Receivers Markus Wheaton and Jordan Bishop and tight end/H-Back Joe Halahuni will give Katz plenty of options when he distributes the football.

3. Solid in the secondary: The Beavers will be experienced -- not to mention big -- in the secondary, with three starters back from 2009 and all four first-teamers measuring over 6-feet. James Dockery and 6-foot-2, 219-pound Brandon Hardin are the corners, while Lance Mitchell, 230-pound Cameron Collins and Suaesi Tuimaunei have combined for 29 starts at safety.

Fall questions

1. Front seven issues: Taylor Henry stepped up at defensive end after Matt LaGrone quit the team, but what's unclear is if he can hold off touted JC transfer Dominic Glover as the starter. Things also are fluid at linebacker. Will Keith Pankey be 100 percent by fall camp after missing spring with a torn Achilles tendon? Will Tony Wilson or Rueben Robinson step in at middle linebacker?

2. How will the offensive line shake out? Starters Grant Johnson and Michael Philipp missed spring with injuries, which forced line coach Mike Cavanaugh to do some mixing and matching. The good news was the re-emergence of tackle Wilder McAndrews, who almost quit due to persistent wrist problem. It's possible that McAndrews could take over at left tackle and Philipp could move inside to guard. Then Johnson and Burke Ellis could compete at the other guard.

3. Who is Katz’s backup? The story of spring might have been Katz's impressive effort, but Vaz also deserves note. His rise is more about how well he played than Lalich not producing. Considering how often a backup quarterback is needed, this will be an interesting competition to follow during fall camp.

Oregon State's offensive line took a hit this week when starting left tackle Michael Philipp injured his left knee and now may miss the rest of spring practices.

Philipp will have his knee scoped on Wednesday, according to The Oregonian.

As a true freshman, Philipp started all 13 games as the Beavers left tackle and earned a number of freshmen All-American honors.

The offensive line already was missing starting guard Grant Johnson (shoulder).

Timi Oshinowo, who missed the 2009 season with a knee injury -- an injury that pushed Philipp into the lineup -- will step in for Philipp. Starting right tackle Mike Remmers might see some action there as well, as could Wilder McAndrews, who is trying to come back from a long-term wrist problem.

Oregon State coach Mike Riley met with his beat writers Tuesday, and lots of interesting stuff came up.

Riley and his coaches have moved some guys around on the Beavers' depth chart. And the quarterback battle between Ryan Katz and Peter Lalich is a competition, not a coronation for Katz, Riley said.

Of note:

• Kevin Frahm will move inside from defensive end to tackle. Frahm is more a powerful, high-energy guy than an edge rusher, so the move makes sense. Of course, Frahm, a 6-foot-2, 267-pound junior, will be undersized. But, playing next to Stephen Paea, he can expect some one-on-one battles that he can win with quickness. Frahm starts off behind Brennan Olander.
• The best news coming from Riley was optimism that linebacker Keith Pankey, who will sit out spring after surgery on his Achilles' tendon, will be recovered in time to play next fall.
• The battle at middle linebacker to replace David Pa'aluhi, who left the team for personal reasons, will feature Tony Wilson, Rueben Robinson, Kevin Unga and Walker Vave.
• Jordan Poyer has moved from safety to cornerback, where he's listed behind James Dockery.
• Sophomore Markus Wheaton and Darrell Catchings are competing for the starting job at split end. Looking at the receiver depth chart, the Beavers look strong at the position, with plenty of experience and talent, topped, of course, by James Rodgers.
• The Beavers need to replace Gregg Peat at right guard. The depth chart features Burke Ellis, Colin Kelly and Colin Lyons.
• A couple of guys to watch on the O-line are Timi Oshinowo and Wilder McAndrews, who are No. 2 and 3 at left tackle behind true sophomore Michael Philip. Both likely would have been starters last year, if healthy. Oshinowo is coming back from a knee injury, while McAndrews' status is decidedly iffy due a wrist problem that has limited him to three games over the past two seasons.
• In addition to Pankey, five players will sit out spring while recovering from injuries, including starting guard Grant Johnson (shoulder). The others are: cornerback Sean Martin and defensive end Mana Rosa (both shoulder) and defensive lineman Mitchel Hunt and offensive lineman Rory Ross (both knees).

Posted by ESPN.com's Ted Miller

CORVALLIS, Ore. -- At Oregon State, offensive linemen show up with baby fat and cherry cheeks and position coach Mike Cavanaugh breaks them down and then -- slowly -- builds them back up.

That won't happen with true freshman Michael Philipp for two reasons.

For one, well, just look at him. He's 6-foot-3, 313 pounds and he can dance.

"He's as close to a ready-made lineman as we've ever got," coach Mike Riley said.

The second reason Philipp is the likely starting left tackle for the Beavers is Timi Oshinowo (knee) and Wilder McAndrews (wrist) are dealing with injury issues.

Philipp looks the part, but playing the part is another matter. While most of the battle for a receiver or running back or cornerback is physical -- is he ready athletically? -- it's far more mental for an offensive lineman.

Philipp is like an action star. He looks like he can bust heads, but he's got to learn to deliver the line -- "hasta la vista, baby!" -- just right.

"The whole game is different," Philipp said. "Everything is faster. You're no longer the strongest guy anymore. The playbook! In high school, you just call the play. In college, there are so many pre-snap adjustments, it's hard to get use to."

Philipp is hardly brash. He's soft-spoken and calls it a "blessing" to be expected to start.

But Riley thinks he's up to the job because he's shown poise and competitiveness. After getting whipped the first days in full pads, Philipp has gained on his adversaries every practice.

"I was just getting used to the speed of the game," he said. "And I was going against some real good D-ends."

Philipp said Kevin Frahm's bull rush has given him the most trouble. After being genuinely pleased with that news, Frahm called Philipp "special."

"I have no doubt that Mike is going to be good," Frahm said.

Philipp isn't a typical Beavers recruit. He was no diamond in the rough. He was a shimmering diamond sitting on black velvet for all to covet. Every Pac-10 team other than USC offered him a scholarship.

Philipp said he chose Oregon State because he liked Riley and knew Cavanaugh's reputation for building linemen.

"I just felt comfortable here," he said. "I know [Cavanaugh] can make you better, best you can be."

Of course, all bets are off when the lights go on. The game will get even faster for Philipp when the season starts.

Nervous?

Sure. So what?

"I think it's normal to get nervous," he said. "I got nervous my senior year of high school even though I was the biggest dude on the field."

Posted by ESPN.com's Ted Miller

Who's the cat that won't cop out when there's danger all about? SHAFT! Right On!

• The Arizona Sports Network also might help Arizona State, which I'm sure is why Arizona started a network ... to help their friends in Tempe. 
• Hey ... California offensive tackle Mike Tepper has a blog! Tepper is known for two things. He's big and he is a gentleman.
• Woe to those Ducks who end up on the "Friday Night List." (HT: Rob Moseley.)
• Quarterback Peter Lalich, who transferred from Virginia to Oregon State, is free and clear of a legal problem. Meet Wilder McAndrews, who's struggling to come back from a serious injury. 
• Oregon's freshmen, particularly the new O-linemen, are jumping right into the action.
• This Stanford blog offers some insights into former Cardinal and Washington coach Tyrone Willingham.
• UCLA gets a commitment from a safety.
• USC linebacker Malcolm Smith has been ill. And not in a good way. USC is the No. 1 football factory, says the NFL.
• Washington's practice times are set, which is meaningful because you are now welcome to come watch.
• Former Washington State defensive back Romeo Pellum gives his side of the story concerning his "departure" from Pullman. Pellum believes he got a raw deal.
• Ranking the worst Pac-10 teams this decade.