August 25, 2005
By Scott Ferrell
sferrell@gannett.com
Sure thing: USC. There may not be more of a sure thing in all of college football than the Trojans. This team is so loaded that every person who scored a touchdown in the Orange Bowl is returning. It is so loaded that John David Booty will be backing up Matt Leinart. The only question about this team is how will the change in coaching staff have its effect on the Trojans?
On the rise: Oregon. The Ducks were 5-6 a year ago, but they return 14 starters. They also have one of the top quarterbacks in the conference in Kellen Clemens.
On the decline: Stanford. Walt Harris becomes the third Cardinal coach in five years. For whatever reason, things haven’t been clicking for the Cardinal and a tougher schedule could make avoiding the basement difficult.
Remember this name: Joseph Ayoob, QB, California. Ayoob is the Bears’ quarterback, but he may be more famous for his nickname— The White Michael Vick. If Ayoob can live up to that billing, then watch out.
Quotable: “No one is invincible, everyone is beatable. They (USC) lost players like everyone else. There are some teams in the conference that can knock them off and I wouldn’t be surprised if it happens.’’
— Oregon State wide receiver Mike Hass on the Trojans
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