07-08 Pac-10 Predictions Part II

Before I get to the conclusion of my predictions for the Pac-10 football season, let me try and bring up a few points of discussion. As many of you well heard, last week, the Portland Trail Blazers won the NBA Draft lottery. First of all, nobody saw this coming, and secondly.. RIP CITY IS BACK, BABY. Listen up, Kevin Pritchard. Greg Oden is the obvious choice, seeing as though there hasn't been a defensive force in the middle for the Blazers since Arvydas Sabonis, and even further back to Kevin Duckworth. Alongside fellow young big man LaMarcus Aldridge, you have the new age Twin Towers (Remember The Admiral and Tim Duncan in his early years?). And let us pray, Blazer fans that Pritchard finds some way to trade back into the top 10 and draft Oden's teammate Mike Conley Jr. I mean, c'mon, they have been playing together since the 4th grade. AND they have never lost a home game! THEN, dip into Paul Allen's pockets and pony up some cash for Seattle Supersonic superstar Rashard Lewis. Conley Jr. Brandon Roy. Lewis. Aldridge. Roy. Unstoppable. Think about it.. Enough rambling. Without further adieu, I give you my predictions for the bottom half of the Pac-10 football conference for the 07-08 season. 6. Arizona State Sun Devils (7-5 4-5 Pac-10) Former Beavers coach Dennis Erickson returns to the Pac-10 looking to improve on the Sun Devils' over .500 campaign from last year. Senior QB Rudy Carpenter shook off the critics last year, passing over 2,500 yards for the first time in his career. The NFL prospect no longer has TE Zach Miller to throw to, but with speedy Sophomores Kyle Williams and Brandon Smith, Carpenter will not have to worry, especially after their impressive Spring. According to ESPN, RB Michael Torain is the 'best back nobody has heard of,' so he will just add to Carpenter's options. 7. Oregon Ducks (5-7 4-5 Pac-10) Similar to the situation in UCLA, coming into the Spring with two capable candidates for the starting QB position, head coach Mike Bellotti has made it abundantly clear that Dennis Dixon gets the nod ahead of Brady Leaf. RB Jonathan Smith has not yet lived up to his All-American potential, but an early season road game against Michigan may be the opportunity he is looking for. The losses of speedster Jordan Kent and Dayton, Oregon product Dante Rosario could be a big blow to the Ducks offense, but with the return of team-leading receiver Jaison Williams, Dixon will still have a familiar face to throw to. 8. Washington Huskies (4-9 3-6 Pac-10) Going into Tyrone Willingham's third year at the head coaching helm could be a rocky one. After losing starting QB Isaiah Stanback and team-leading receiver Sonny Shackelford, Willingham has handed the QB reigns to highly touted - yet unproven - red shirt QB Jake Locker. The key to the Huskies offense this year, however may go to the offensive line. After losing their starting Senior guards last year, youngsters Morgan Rosborough and Casey Bulyca will anchor the offensive line, tipping the scales at 375 and 320 pounds, respectively. RB Louis Rankin had a solid Spring to solidify his starting position. 9. Stanford Cardinal (3-9 1-8) 5th year QB T.C. Ostrander steps out of Trent Edwards' shadow in head coach Jim Harbaugh's first year at the helm. The anemic offense of the Cardinal last year was without a doubt the laughing stock of the Pac-10, but with returns of top-receivers Mark Bradford and Evan Moore, as well as team-leading receiver Richard Sherman, Ostrander will no doubt have options. On defense, Stanford lost three starters, but looked solid in the Spring game, holding the offense to one touchdown and forcing seven sacks and three turnovers. 10. Arizona Wildcats (2-10 1-8) Concussion-prone QB Willie Tuitama must prove he is healthy in order for the Wildcats' offense to work. With the loss of starting RB Chris Henry, the prospects don't look to good for Mike Stoops' program. Aside from starting receivers Mike Thomas and Anthony Johnson, the team lacks depth at receiver, as well as back in order to operate in the spread offense that Arizona has used for years. If by some stroke of luck Stoops turns this year into a winning season, be amazed. That does it! Your 2007-08 football season predictions are complete! Only three months until the Beavers face off with the Utah Utes in Corvallis, and this sports writer is NOT looking forward to this LONG, HOT SUMMER?