Contra Costa Times: Despite key departures, USC still talk of the Pac-10

But coaches, media choose Cal as the favorite to narrow the gap against the four-time defending conference champions
By Jay Heater
CONTRA COSTA TIMES
LOS ANGELES - Facing the assembled media Thursday during the Pac-10's football media day, Arizona State coach Dirk Koetter was asked if he thought USC finally would be vulnerable this season. "USC has a very talented team," Koetter said. "But I don't think any team has lost two Heisman Trophy winners (Reggie Bush and Matt Leinart) and not taken a little step back."
Winners of four consecutive conference titles, the Trojans might not seem invincible, but they still command lots of respect. A media poll selected USC to defend its title once again, but the Trojans only received 18 of a possible 29 votes. The past two seasons they were unanimous picks. Cal, a team that has been identified as a top 10 team by most analysts, received seven first place votes. Oregon picked up three first-place votes and ASU got the other.
"We find ourselves in a position that we were in three years back," USC coach Pete Carroll said. "Hopefully, we will be able to respond in a similar fashion. It's time for us to show we have some staying power." Following the 2002 season, in which the Trojans hammered Iowa 38-17 in the Orange Bowl, they lost Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Carson Palmer along with safety Troy Polamalu, one of the top defensive players in the country. Going into 2003, there were questions whether USC could keep it rolling. Carroll inserted Matt Leinart at quarterback and the Trojans went 12-1, including a 28-14 win over Michigan in the Rose Bowl.
This time, USC has to replace a host of talent, including 11 players who were drafted into the NFL. That list includes Bush, Leinart and tailback LenDale White. "It's inevitable when you lose Leinart, Bush and that other monster back there (White), that they will be searching a little bit," said Arizona coach Mike Stoops. While USC has dominated recruiting among Pac-10 teams over the past three seasons, simply reloading might not be enough with Cal stockpiling talent and Oregon and Arizona State looking like factors in the national picture. "Cal has got a lot of good players back," Stoops said. "They have some big stars."
Bears coach Jeff Tedford appears to be comfortable with the role of national powerhouse. "This team has the potential to accomplish quite a bit," Tedford said. "Our goal is to reach our full potential. We're all aware of the external expectations. But we focus on our internal expectations. It's all up to us." Carroll agreed that Cal might be the Trojans' top opposition for the conference title, but he added, "I think Oregon will have something to say about (it), and Arizona State as well."

THE PICKS
Pac-10 preseason media poll with first place votes:
1. USC (18) 276
2. Cal (7) 247
3. Oregon (3) 229
4. Arizona State (1) 204
5. UCLA 145
6. Arizona 133
7. Oregon State 125
8. Washington St. 96
9. Stanford 90
10. Washington 50