Pac-10 Football Predictions 2010

The Pac-10 has had a big offseason shakeup with the additions of Colorado and Utah for the 2011 season. USC will welcome in a new head coach in Lane Kiffin, as former boss Pete Carroll has left to coach the Seattle Seahawks in the National Football League. The Oregon football program has to be somewhat disgusted by the fact that QB Jeremiah Masoli has been suspended for the season, and RB LaMichael James has been suspended for the season-opener. Not to mention former head coach and first-year athletic director, Mike Bellotti, has stepped down.

With all that's gone on, all that really matters right now is what happens on the field. I give my 2010 Pac-10 football predictions below to show you where these teams finish in the final standings. Also be sure to check out my 2010 college football predictions article which shows which teams will finish inside the Top-10 come season's end. Will any Pac-10 teams make it? Find out with my selections.

2010 Pac-10 Predictions:

1.) USC - The Trojans may only return 11 starters, but what they have coming back and coming in makes them the most talented team in the Pac-10. And talent usually wins out, plus QB Matt Barkley is a year older and ready to lead this offense in his sophomore campaign. Head coach Lane Kiffin has instilled a new hunger in this team with an emphasis on hard work. And they get Oregon at home, which is likely the game that decides which team wins the conference.

2.) Oregon - The questions are quarterback are the reason I am not picking the Ducks to win the Pac-10, because they certainly have plenty of talent everywhere else. Senior Nate Costa or sophomore Darron Thomas have the daunting task of replacing the suspended Masoli. The defense returns 8 starters and plenty of speed, and this unit will have to carry them. The offense also returns all 9 starters, including their electrifying RB LaMichael James and all 5 offensive linemen. A road loss at USC will have the Ducks finishing second.

3.) Washington - QB Jake Locker and RB Chris Polk lead an experienced offense with 9 returning starters. The Huskies will put up plenty of points to win, but whether or not they make a bowl game depends on a defense that returns 6 starters. They lost two players to the NFL in Donald Butler and Daniel Te'o-Nesheim, and both Kalani Aldrich and Everrette Thompson who are projected starters each missed spring ball with injuries. The questions surrounding their defense will keep the Huskies from finishing in the Top-2.

4.) Oregon State - It's hard to count this team out considering their have two of the biggest playmakers in the conference returning in RB Jacquizz Rodgers and WR James Rodgers, who are brothers. In fact, the Beavers return 17 starters in all, but one position they do not return anyone is at quarterback. They will get USC and Oregon at home late in the season, but I don't think their QB play will be up to par and it will ultimately cost them a chance to win the Pac-10.

5.) California - The offense should do its job with QB Kevin Riley and all 5 offensive linemen returning from a year ago. Head coach Jeff Tedford has no problem finding running backs, and Shane Vereen should adequately replace Jahvid Best in the backfield. The Bears will need playmakers to step up at WR, because Cal only put up 24 points or more three times in conference play last year. They also have big questions at all three levels of the defense with only 6 starters returning to the stop unit. A middle-of-the-pack finish for the Bears is inevitable.