Covers: USC`s Pac-10 title run over?

By Stephen Nover

Professional handicapper Tony Diamond predicts USC won’t win it this year.  That’s perfectly understandable considering the Trojans no longer have Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush, while Notre Dame and Ohio State look mighty strong.  But wait. Diamond isn’t talking about the national college football championship. He means the Pac-10.  “I see them losing three maybe four games this year,” Diamond says.  Interesting for those looking to play the Trojans under 10 wins, which is their over/under regular season win total.  We’re talking USC here, though. The Trojans have won or shared the Pac-10 title each of the past four years, while winning 48 of their last 52.  The Trojans probably are not going to average 49.1 points like last season. Still, they have maybe the best linebackers in the country, a deeper wide receiving group and plenty of blue-chippers to step in.

 

Read the entire article here.

 

Cal-related quotes:

 

 “A tough schedule sets up for them,” Diamond says. “They have to face Nebraska, Arizona State, Oregon, Cal and Notre Dame, all probably in the top 15 this year.  “They do get a break on the schedule having six of their road games against teams that didn’t make a bowl game last year. Possible losses could come against Arizona State, Oregon, California, Notre Dame and Nebraska.

 

OK if not USC, then who in the Pac-10?

“The Pac-10 will be very competitive this year,” Diamond says. “There are four teams that given some luck could win it – USC, Arizona State, California and Oregon. Washington State could be a sleeper.  

 

Diamond likes either California or Arizona State to win the Pac-10. Cal is +350 to win the Pac-10 at Olympic sportsbook, while the Sun Devils are 8-1. Southern Cal is a heavy favorite at -250. Oregon is 5-1.

 

“There are few if any teams that have as much speed on defense as the Bears with All-American defensive tackle Brandon Mebane, cornerback Daymeion Hughes and linebacker Desmond Bishop,” Diamond says.  Cal led the conference in scoring defense last season, allowing 21.2 points per game. The Bears return 13 of their 16 top tacklers. Cal Coach Jeff Tedford has to clone another good quarterback, something he has always done in the past.  The Bears do have two outstanding running backs, Marshawn Lynch and Justin Forsett. Diamond says Lynch could reach 2,000 yards rushing this season.