WASHINGTON STATE...Best-balanced team, favorable schedule; 2001 no fluke.
SOUTHERN CAL...Trojans have the horses; but could come up lame under brutal schedule.
WASHINGTON...”O” as strong as Starbucks’ espresso; but a “latte” questions on defense.
OREGON STATE...Beavers chomp again if soph QB Anderson hits his targets.
OREGON...Bellotti still underrated; but Ducks dip a bit without Harrington.
STANFORD...Teevens’ Fun ‘n Gun good for offense; what about defense?
ARIZONA...’Cats have firepower; has Mackovic fixed defense, confidence?
UCLA...Seat gets hotter for Toledo if QBs don’t come through.
ARIZONA STATE...Koetter facing QB inexperience, shaken team chemistry.
CALIFORNIA...Can new coach Tedford, old QB Boller awaken Bears’ hibernation?

ARIZONA (SUR 5-6; PSR 5-6)—HC John Mackovic (2nd year in Tucson) spent much of spring looking for ways to improve sieve-like defense that gave up a U of A-record 377 points. Coaches have thus installed more blitz packages to generate pressure on opposing QBs, while also simplifying coverage schemes for disappointing secondary that was scorched all LY.
Quick 6-4, 250 juco DE Andre Torrey is being counted upon to bring a much-needed pass rush to a DL that lost 3 starters. Thankfully, LB corps solid, as all three starters return, led by sr. Lance Briggs (93 tackles & 6.5 sacks; both team highs). Coaches do feel secure about one CB with return of jr. Jolivette.

Picture much better on the offensive side of the ball, where Wildcats return top QB, RB and WR. Sr. Jason Johnson (2347 YP, 19 TDs LY; but too many back-breaking TOs) should benefit from being in 2nd season in system of the meticulous Mackovic. His main target, sr. WR Bobby Wade (62 recs; 8 TDs), requires extra attention from defenses.

Three starters return to the OL, which should again pave the way for dynamic jr. RB Clarence Farmer (1229 YR; 5.9 ypc), the Pac-10’s top rusher LY.

Summary…Wildcats’ offense, one of the best-balanced in the country, should again wreak havoc on Pac-10 defenses. Number of wins (and covers), therefore, will be determined by how much improvement can be made on defense that deteriorated badly from “Desert Swarm” of years past.

ARIZONA STATE (SUR 4-7; PSR 5-6)—Second-year HC Dirk Koetter shook things up quite a bit in his inaugural season in Tempe. Pac-10 def. coords. winced when they had to prepare for his wide-open, multi-set passing attack, used successfully while guiding Boise State. However, Sun Devils might take a step backward first, before leaping forward TY. That’s because there’s no proven QB to direct Koetter’s sophisticated attack TY, and OL returns just one starter (4 drafted by NFL teams; another one signed as FA).

Starting QB Jeff Krohn (nearly 2000 YP LY) jumped ship, transferring to I-AA UMass, because he didn’t think he fit into Koetter’s system. A three-way battle for QB produced no clear-cut winner in spring. Coaches say RS frosh Chad Christensen slightly outperformed soph Andrew Walter and juco Andy Goodenough (rated as top JC QB; but slow to pick-up Koetter’s offense).

There’s plenty of talent at WR, led by jr. Shaun McDonald (1104 yds. LY) and converted safety Michael Holloway (scouts say he has excellent hands). Deepest set of skill players is at RB, where jr. Mike Williams is being pushed by RS frosh Hakim Hill (son of former NFL standout J.D.).

OL Regis Crawford is the lone returning starter up front, and he’s learning a new position (moved from OG to OT in spring). The top 8 OLmen have shed a combined 200 lbs. (quick-footed blockers are preferable to “hog-types” in Koetter’s passing schemes).

Meanwhile, 8 starters return on ASU’s 4-2-5 defense, which puts a premium on DBs. Secondary is led by athletic soph CB R.J. Oliver & S Jason Shivers (89 tackles; led team). The DL features bookend pass-rushers Terrell Suggs (10 sacks LY) and emerging soph Connor Banks.

Summary...Koetter was disappointed with lack of execution in spring, and says he previously underestimated the degree of divisiveness within the team due to changeover from Bruce Snyder. Sun Devils better find a QB and unite in a hurry (open at Nebraska).

CALIFORNIA (SUR 1-10; PSR 3-8)—Much sought-after new HC Jeff Tedford (former o.c. at Oregon; turned down other jobs) ambitiously seeks to turn around Cal program that hit rock bottom last year (1-10; Tom Holmoe fired). Tedford is considered one of the game’s brightest young offensive minds, with noted expertise in developing QBs (mentored Ducks’ prolific QB Joey Harrington).

Tedford’s first project is to get sr. QB Kyle Boller to play up to his projected potential. Tedford (former QB himself) says there were flaws in Boller’s throwing mechanics, and spent the spring working to correct them. To his credit, Boller responded favorably to the new instruction (has studied videos of Harrington’s delivery and new system), while learning his 3rd offense in 4 years!

Tedford had much more talent at WR in Eugene than has at Cal. The best is sr. LeShaun Ward (switched to WR from CB); the speediest might be soph Michael Sparks (converted from RB). Starting TE likely will go to skilled juco Brandon Hall.

Backfield suffered major blow in spring, when talented RB Adimchinobe Echemaandu (formerly Joseph Echema) tore an ACL and could be lost for the season. Soph Terrell Williams (688 LY) and steady sr. Joe Igber (3-yr. starter) return, but highly-touted incoming frosh Marcus O’Keith (L.A. prep phenom) could see lots of action (if not redshirted).

Tedford’s enormous task of improving offense pales in comparison to work needed on defense. Cal allowed school-record 431 points LY (39 ppg!). Coaches say talent on DL is not that bad (4 starters back), and that porous secondary can hardly fail to improve with experience.

Summary...Hard to expect much in Tedford’s first season (completely new systems; 8 new assts.). Any success highly dependant on whether sr. QB Boller can significantly elevate his play.

OREGON (SUR 11-1; 7-5)—Rather than stew about whether Ducks should have played in LY’s BCS title game (Oregon beat Colorado in Fiesta Bowl “consolation”), HC Bellotti (8, 9, 10, 11 wins L4Ys) spent spring grooming replacement for QB Joey Harrington (2764 YP LY). Jr. QB Jason Fife emerged as the frontrunner (slightly outplayed strong-armed RS frosh Kellen Clemens in spring), but Bellotti says competition will re-open in fall.

Whoever gets the nod will again have luxury of talented group of skill players around him. Hard-running jr. Onterrio Smith (1007 YR) could put up eye-popping numbers now that he’s no longer splitting time with Maurice Morris (NFL 2nd round). Ever-dangerous set of Duck WRs includes Keenan Howry, Jason Willis, and speedster jr. Samie Parker (4.3).

Defensively, front seven looks solid, but main concern is 2ndary that lost two top CBs (Rashad Bauman and Steve Smith). Scouts say Ducks might be forced into playing lots of zone coverage rather than their preferred man-on-man (frees up LBs to stunt more; LBs most experienced unit on defense).

Summary...Might be hard for Ducks to match recent win totals after losing 11 starters, including heart-and-soul of team, QB Harrington. But be careful before bucking Ducks at home (Oregon has won 25 of last 26 SU at noisy Autzen Stadium; added 12,000 new seats).

OREGON STATE (SUR 5-6; PSR 5-5)—After going 11-1 in 2000, Beavers fell back to earth with a thud, finishing below .500 LY (HC Dennis Erickson says team rested on its laurels). Optimism restored in Corvallis, however, fueled by a vet defense (3rd best in Pac-10; returns 8 starters), a new, strong-armed QB, and a plethora of dangerous Erickson-type skill players.
Coaches think defense, led by sr. CBs A-A Dennis Weathersby & Terrell Roberts, could be as good as smothering 2000 edition. Three starters return to the DL, with a nice blend of savvy experience and talented youth. LBs, led by MLB Siegler (93 tackles; good pass defender), are solid, but not deep.

Erickson confident that despite loss of QB Jonathan Smith (3+ yrs. as starter) and star RB Ken Simonton (school’s career rushing leader), Beaver offense will move ball. Focus now on 6-6, 235 soph QB Derek Anderson (2nd-rated HS QB by many in 2000). Erickson says Anderson has chance to be best QB he’s ever coached! Anderson better be durable, too, as there’s no experienced backup. Soph RB Steven Jackson (fumble problems LY) is bigger (6-1, near 230!) and a tad faster than the graduated Simonton, and has shown impressive ability when given chance (5.3 ypc LY; 63-yd. TDR vs. UCLA).

James Newson (968 yds. LY, but “drop” problem at times) is top returning WR, but coaches are raving about potential of 6-3 RS frosh Jayson Boyd.

OL looks okay, but coaches say more consistency is needed.

Summary...Confidence growing again in Corvallis, where insiders feel LY’s tumble was a one-year “deal” in a now-elevated program. Pac-10 teams had better not overlook Erickson’s skilled, & highly-motivated troops TY.

SOUTHERN CAL (SUR 6-6; PSR 6-6)—Trojans coming off potentially deceptive .500 season (lost to Utah 10-6 in Las Vegas Bowl) in HC Pete Carroll’s inaugural campaign, which included key win over crosstown rival UCLA. USC enters 2002 season with longest winning streak in Pac-10 (5), impressive when considering Trojans LY were learning a new off. system (clever o.c. Chow installed BYU-style passing attack) and then lost top RB Sultan McCullough at midseason due to abdominal injury.

SC backfield now deep and dangerous, as McCullough healthy again, Michigan transfer Justin Fargas (former L.A.-area prep star) impressed in spring, and powerful sr. Malaefou Mackenzie is back (sat out LY; returned to Samoa after father’s death). OL starters strong, but depth a major concern.

Passing game should improve a notch with talented sr. QB Carson Palmer (finally learning not to force throws) working with host of fleet WRs, led by speedy Kareem Kelly (still too many drops) and Keary Colbert.

Replacements are needed in order for stout defense (fewest pts. allowed in conf. LY) to perform up to LY’s level. There are some holes in promising DL, which is anchored by quick soph Shaun Cody (6-5, 275) and huge sr. Bernard Riley (6-3, 305). Trojans lost one starting LB and both starting CBs, but former NFL d.c. Carroll likes play of new 2ndary starters Marcell Almond (converted WR) and Darrell Rideaux (only 5-9, but fast). Yet he remains worried about matchups vs. the bigger, physical Pac-10 WRs.

Summary...If OL & DL (traditional strengths until recently at USC) play up to potential, Trojans have the talent (Carroll enjoyed excellent recruiting campaign) elsewhere to rise back into national picture. However, SC also plays one of most difficult schedules in nation TY, which will severely test team’s mettle (something even reputed staunch alumni have begun to doubt in recent campaigns).

STANFORD (SUR 9-3; PSR 7-5)—New HC Buddy Teevens (replaces popular Ty Willingham; to Notre Dame) brings a new, exciting playbook to the Farm that rivals school’s textbooks in thickness. Teevens (off. coord. at Florida L2Ys) is implementing his version of the Fun ‘n Gun offense he learned under Steve Spurrier. If future-NFL jr. QB Chris Lewis (2456 YP, 20 TDs in two seasons part-time duty) can master nuances of new passing schemes (QB needs to make quick decisions at line on almost every play), then Cardinal offense could be even more entertaining than Stanford band!

Lewis will utilize an array of quality targets, none bigger than intimidating 6-7, 245 soph Teyo Johnson (power F in hoops). WRs Luke Powell and Ryan Wells are both shifty and dangerous. 6-6 sr. TE Brett Pierce also a threat.

OL returns 3 starters. And 6-2, 235 sr. RB Kerry Carter (offseason shoulder surgery; expected to be OK) should get majority of carries TY, after splitting time with departed Brian Allen (899 yds. LY).

HOWEVER, while the offense should be fun to watch, play of defense could be downright agonizing. Nine starters need to be replaced, including NFL draftees LB Coy Wire and S Tank Williams. Cardinal lost 3 of 4 starting DBs, and all of its starting LBs, from unit that allowed 29 ppg (RS frosh LB Michael Craven is highly-touted).

Summary...Highest-paid person in Palo Alto TY could be scoreboard operator! Lewis-Johnson aerial combo is scary enough itself, but Teevens has many potent weapons. He’ll likely need to use every one in order for offense to outscore the allowance of the questionable, rebuilding defense.

UCLA (SUR 7-4; PSR 6-5)—Bruins getting into frustrating pattern in recent seasons (excluding 1999); promising starts followed by near-total collapses. UCLA won first six games of 2001 season, then finished losing 4 of last 5. Now, it’s hard to imagine Bob Toledo’s team getting off to similar fast break from gate unless sr. QB Corey Paus steps definitively into leadership role while new skill performers develop.

Paus (primary starter LY; 1740 YP) led the open battle for QB in spring and will have to fend off challenges from a couple of promising incoming frosh in fall. That’s because Paus has yet to live up to his ability due to injuries and to off-field troubles (2 alcohol-related convictions; a little jail over winter; lost trust of teammates LY). Toledo says Paus is gone if he gets into any more trouble. However, QBs behind Paus are so inexperienced that multi-dimensional star Matt Ware (CB LY as frosh; S TY, maybe some WR) could play some situational snaps TY (coaches put in several plays for him in spring).

Four starters return to OL, but departure of A-A RB DeShaun Foster (1109 LY) has left Bruins bereft of any proven breakaway threat (although promising true frosh TE/WR/DE Marcedes Lewis will play early).

Front 7, a strength LY (improved to 3.3 ypc LY) now counting on more quantity than quality. Secondary has big-play potential with 5-9 sr. “press” CB Ricky Manning shutting down one opponent wideout and the fluid blue-chip soph Ware patrolling the middle.

Summary...Disappointing season-ending finish, including 3rd straight loss to USC, has Toledo feeling the heat. Without Foster’s big plays, Paus (or one of the frosh QBs) must produce in order for the Bruins to click.

WASHINGTON (SUR 8-4; PSR 6-6)—Huskies figure to put even more points on the board this season (28 ppg LY) with return of starting jr. QB Cody Pickett, who has a group of fast, seasoned WRs (6-4 soph Reggie Williams is special) and an experienced OL (4 of 5 starters). The still-learning Pickett threw for third-highest single-season total in school history (2403 yds.) LY, despite playing much of season with separated shoulder of varying degrees. He was 1 of 8 Huskies (!) who underwent offseason shoulder surgery (all expected to recover).
Coaches moved soph Zach Tuiasosopo from LB to FB to help improve lagging running game (only 3.0 ypc). Scouts say slimmed-down TB Rich Alexis (dropped 11 pounds) is quicker, and he’ll compete with RBs Braxton Cleman and Chris Singleton (both under 4.5 speed) for playing time.

HC Neuheisel more concerned about defense (says he’s a couple of recruiting classes away from desired depth) that must replace A-A NT Larry Triplett and DE Marcus Roberson up front and still isn’t sure if pass-rushing specialist Kai Ellis will be at 100% (chronic knee injury; out most of spring; check in fall). Secondary banking on return to health of CB Derrick Johnson (missed 2001 with foot injury) and S Jimmy Newell (missed most of LY with shoulder injury). But Neuheisel says LBs, led by ILB Ben Mahdavi and budding soph star Joseph Lobendahn, might be best group he’s ever had!

Summary...Washington appears to be a year away from “re-arriving” in Top Ten. But Neuheisel thinks Huskies’ future is now (believes Pac-10 and national title are attainable!). Whether they can run & stop the run (4.2 ypc LY) the keys to how far UW can go.

WASHINGTON STATE (SUR 10-2; PSR 7-4)—WSU coming off an impressive 2001 campaign. With 14 starters returning, including the Pac-10’s top QB (in terms of pass eff.), no reason to believe it won’t be the Year of the Cougar once again.

QB Jason Gesser (3,010 YP; led Pac-10 in total offense) developing into one of nation’s top field generals. He now runs the Coug attack with aplomb, yet often doesn’t get the recognition he deserves.

His group of WRs, led by 6-6 hoopster Mike Bush (10 TDs LY), is big, fast and athletic. Coaches are high on soph Devard Darling (Florida State transfer; sat out LY) and sr. Jerome Riley.
OL returns 4 of 5 starters, including all-Pac-10 G D. Roche. Rush game could be better than LY, despite loss of ex-Marine RB Dave Minnich (815 LY). Bigger and faster juco Jermaine Green (6-1, 215) arrives in Pullman from powerful Butler CC in Kansas, following 1000-yd. season. HC Mike Price calls Green best RB at Wazzou since Steve Broussard ran loose in the Palouse!
Defense is solid up front (3 of 4 return; DE Acholonu had most sacks in Pac-10 LY), as is the secondary, esp. at CB. Coaches also very high on jr. S Erik Coleman (Price says Coleman could be as good as graduated A-A Lamont Thompson). Wazzu’s prime def. worry is at LB, where jucos and underclassmen must step up.

Summary...Cougars might field best OL/DL combo in Pac-10 TY. With mobile QB Gesser, offense could be scary if juco Green the real deal. If opportunistic defense (+12 TOs LY) rounds into shape, and Cougars win at Ohio State in third game, even a BCS Bowl is realistic!