Diagnosing 2009: Pac-10 Breaking down the Pac-10 By Charles Drake/ThaRinger.Com

Top 10 Players 1. Jahvid Best RB/Cal 2. Taylor Mays S/USC 3. LaGarette Blount RB/Oregon 4. Damien Williams WR/USC 5. Everson Griffen DE/USC 6. Rob Gronkowski TE/Arizona 7. Brian Price DT/UCLA 8. Alterraun Verner CB/UCLA 9. Walter Thurmond CB/Oregon 10. Kris O'Dowd C/USC  On The Rise Ryan Bass RB/ASU James Montgomery RB/WSU Ronald Johnson WR/USC Stephen Paea DT/Oregon State Jeremiah Masoli QB/Oregon Chris Izbicki TE/Washington Malcolm Smith LB/USC Aaron Hester CB/UCLA Richard Sherman CB/Stanford Chris Polk RB/Washington Mike Mohamed LB/Cal Andrew Luck QB/Stanford D.J. Shoemate FB/USC Devin Ross CB/Arizona Jermaine Kearse WR/Washington Chris Galippo LB/USC  Immediate Impact Jamere Holland WR/Oregon Vontaze Burfict LB/ASU Morrell Presley WR/UCLA Adam Hall S/Arizona Jarvis Jones LB,DE/USC Shayne Skov LB/Stanford Bryson Littlejohn LB/Oregon Jarred Price LB/Cal James Johnson CB/Washington Markus Wheaton WR/Oregon State Corey Adams DT/ASU Jamal Patterson WR/Stanford Michael Philipp OL/Oregon State Randall Carroll WR/UCLA

Oregon Coach: Chip Kelly Returning Starters: 10(5 offense/5 defense) Most Important Player: Jeremiah Masoli/QB Breakout Player: Jamere Holland/WR Waiting In The Wings: Bryson Littlejohn/LB Schedule Sept. 3, 2009 at Boise State Sept. 12, 2009 Purdue Sept. 19, 2009 Utah Sept. 26, 2009 California Oct. 3, 2009 Wash. St. Oct. 10, 2009 at UCLA Oct. 24, 2009 at Washington Oct. 31, 2009 USC Nov. 7, 2009 at Stanford Nov. 14, 2009 Arizona State Nov. 21, 2009 at Arizona Dec. 3, 2009 Oregon State Forecast Coming into Chip Kelly's first year as the head man there are some question, but also an abundance of talent. On offense, the Ducks turn to QB Jeremiah Masoli and RB LaGarrette Blount to lead a promising unit. The offensive line is the biggest question mark w/ anchor Max Unger gone and 4 underclassmen slated to start. On the outside, the Ducks have a plethora of talent led by USC transfer Jamere Holland and 6'5" tight end Ed Dickson. Senior DE Will Tukuafu leads a defensive group that replaces 3 starters up front from a defense that underachieved in '08. In the middle, incoming JUCO LB Bryson Littlejohn should help. The secondary will be the strength of the defense w/ safety T.J. Ward, and corners Willie Glasper/Walter Thurmond. While the Ducks have some questions, the offense should be good enough for 8 wins minimum in '09. Arizona Coach: Mike Stoops Returning Starters: 14(7 offense/7 defense) Most Important Player: Matt Scott/QB Breakout Player: Nic Grigsby/RB Waiting In The Wings: Adam Hall/S Schedule Sept. 5, 2009 Central Michigan Sept. 12, 2009 Northern Arizona Sept. 19, 2009 at Iowa Sept. 26, 2009 at Oregon State Oct. 10, 2009 at Washington Oct. 17, 2009 Stanford Oct. 24, 2009 UCLA Nov. 7, 2009 Wash. St. Nov. 14, 2009 at California Nov. 21, 2009 Oregon Nov. 28, 2009 at Arizona State Dec. 5, 2009 at USC Forecast Entering 2009 the biggest task for head coach Mike Stoops is finding a replacement for QB Willie Tuitama. That burden will fall on sophomores Matt Scott and Nick Foles. Scott, coming out of spring, has the advantage and should start the first game, but Foles is the better passer and could become the answer. The rest of the offense is pretty good w/ Nic Grigsby in the backfield, Rob Gronkowski/Terrell Turner the security blankets in the passing game, and the interior of the O-Line solid. A replacement for both OT will have to be found however. On defense, the Wildcats have a solid group headed by a talented group of DB's. The Line is loaded w/ potential and the linebackers will have more athleticism than last year's group. Replacing Tuitama in '09 and bettering an 8 win effort will be a tough task. UCLA Coach: Rick Neuheisel Returning Starters: 16(9 offense/7 defense) Most Important Player: Kevin Prince/QB Breakout Player: Brian Price/DT Waiting In The Wings: Morrell Presley/TE,WR Schedule Sept. 5, 2009 San Diego St. Sept. 12, 2009 at Tennessee Sept. 19, 2009 Kansas State Oct. 3, 2009 at Stanford Oct. 10, 2009 Oregon Oct. 17, 2009 California Oct. 24, 2009 at Arizona Oct. 31, 2009 at Oregon State Nov. 7, 2009 Washington Nov. 14, 2009 at Wash. St. Nov. 21, 2009 Arizona State Nov. 28, 2009 at USC Forecast After a 4-8 debut season Rick Neuheisel hopes to go bowling thanks to more accountability and an improved offense. Trying to lead the progression is redshirt freshman QB Kevin Prince and a stable of talented running backs. The Bruins efforts will be led by a defense that has the potential to be amongst the best in the Pac-10. With DT Brian Price, LB Reggie Carter, and CB Alterraun Verner leading the troops on every level UCLA should be a hard squad to score on in '09. I expect some progression from the Bruins this season w/ the added talent and depth; 6-8 wins is reasonable. Arizona State Coach: Dennis Erickson Returning Starters: 13(7 offense/6 defense) Most Important Player: Danny Sullivan/QB, Brock Osweiler/QB Breakout Player: Ryan Bass/RB Waiting In The Wings: Vontaze Burfict/LB Schedule Sept. 5, 2009 Idaho St. Sept. 19, 2009 La.-Monroe Sept. 26, 2009 at Georgia Oct. 3, 2009 Oregon State Oct. 10, 2009 at Wash. St. Oct. 17, 2009 Washington Oct. 24, 2009 at Stanford Oct. 31, 2009 California Nov. 7, 2009 USC Nov. 14, 2009 at Oregon Nov. 21, 2009 at UCLA Nov. 28, 2009 Arizona Forecast The biggest need for the Sun Devils in '09 is to find a QB. Brock Osweiler is the most talented candidate, but Danny Sullivan has the job for now. After that puzzle comes the improvement of an offensive line that has given up 80 sacks the past 2 years. The shining light for the Sun Devil staff is the explosive sophomore RB Ryan Bass and a trio of capable wide receivers. On defense, the emergence of true freshmen LB Vontaze Burfict and DT Corey Adams coupled w/ the progression of S Ryan Mcfoy and DT Lawrence Guy will dictate how successful this group will be. Improving from a 5-7 season is needed for Dennis Erickson to keep his job. California Coach: Jeff Tedford Returning Starters: 15(7 offense/8 defense) Most Important Player: Jahvid Best/RB Breakout Player: Chris Little/DB Waiting In The Wings: Allan Bridgford/QB Schedule Sept. 5, 2009 Maryland Sept. 12, 2009 E. Washington Sept. 19, 2009 at Minnesota Sept. 26, 2009 at Oregon Oct. 3, 2009 USC Oct. 17, 2009 at UCLA Oct. 24, 2009 Wash. St. Oct. 31, 2009 at Arizona State Nov. 7, 2009 Oregon State Nov. 14, 2009 Arizona Nov. 21, 2009 at Stanford Dec. 5, 2009 at Washington Forecast Always a threat in the Pac-10 under Tedford, Cal enters 2009 loaded w/ an abundance of talent and a favorable schedule. The Golden Bears offense is led by Heisman hopeful RB Jahvid Best and QB Kevin Riley. Best isn't the only backfield weapon however as Shane Vereen will help lighten the load. The O-Line should be fine even w/ the loss of center Eric Mack. The WR corps is stacked w/ young talent and should be a productive group. The defense is led by an amazing secondary w/ Syd'Quan Thompson and Marcus Ezeff. The D-Line should provide consistent pressure and the loss of key LB's Zach Follett, Anthony Felder, and Worrell Williams will hurt in the middle level. In '09 the Bears have a legit chance at the Pac-10 title. Southern California Coach: Pete Carroll Returning Starters: 11(9 offense/2 defense) Most Important Player: Aaron Corp/QB Breakout Player: Malcolm Smith/LB, Chris Galippo/LB Waiting In The Wings: Matt Barkley/QB Schedule Sept. 5, 2009 San Jose St. Sept. 12, 2009 at Ohio State Sept. 19, 2009 at Washington Sept. 26, 2009 Wash. St. Oct. 3, 2009 at California Oct. 17, 2009 at Notre Dame Oct. 24, 2009 Oregon State Oct. 31, 2009 at Oregon Nov. 7, 2009 at Arizona State Nov. 14, 2009 Stanford Nov. 28, 2009 UCLA Dec. 5, 2009 Arizona Forecast Is Aaron Corp the answer? That's the biggest question heading into 2009 and the main thing holding USC back from a National Championship run. I think Corp will be fine w/ all the playmakers around him. The running back position is stacked w/ Joe McKnight, Marc Tyler, Stafon Johnson, and Curtis McNeal. The WR position is loaded w/ Damien Williams and Ronald Johnson leading the group. With all the skill position players accounted for, the real strength of the USC offense is the depth and talent they have in the O-Line group. On defense, the Trojans lose 9 starters and it will be hard to replace that experience, but they have more than capable replacements. The LB corps was hit hard, but w/ the talent of Malcolm Smith, Mike Morgan, and Chris Galippo they should be fine. The D-Line will be led by DE Everson Griffen and the secondary has all everything safety Taylor Mays. The Trojans will have a hard time going undefeated in '09, but will only lose 2 games at the most. Oregon State Coach: Mike Riley Returning Starters: 10(7 offense/3 defense) Most Important Player: JacQuizz Rodgers/RB Breakout Player: Stephen Paea/DT Waiting In The Wings: Markus Wheaton/WR Schedule Sept. 5, 2009 Portland St. Sept. 12, 2009 at UNLV Sept. 19, 2009 Cincinnati Sept. 26, 2009 Arizona Oct. 3, 2009 at Arizona State Oct. 10, 2009 Stanford Oct. 24, 2009 at USC Oct. 31, 2009 UCLA Nov. 7, 2009 at California Nov. 14, 2009 Washington Nov. 21, 2009 at Wash. St. Dec. 3, 2009 at Oregon Forecast Coming off a fantastic 2008 campaign, the Beavers try to repeat the success w/ JacQuizz Rodgers leading the way. The diminutive RB has help on offense in the form of WR's James Rodgers/Markus Wheaton/Darrell Catchings and QB's Lyle Moevao/Sean Canfield. The defense is the major question w/ the D-Line and defensive backfield thin. The LB unit should be the strength w/ Keaton Kristick and David Pa'aluhi leading the way. Getting back to 9 wins will be tough for OSU, but they should be bowling by the end of the year. Washington Coach: Steve Sarkisian Returning Starters: 18(8 offense/10 defense) Most Important Player: Jake Locker/QB Breakout Player: Chris Polk/RB Waiting In The Wings: James Johnson/WR Schedule Sept. 5, 2009 LSU Sept. 12, 2009 Idaho Sept. 19, 2009 USC Sept. 26, 2009 at Stanford Oct. 3, 2009 at Notre Dame Oct. 10, 2009 Arizona Oct. 17, 2009 at Arizona State Oct. 24, 2009 Oregon Nov. 7, 2009 at UCLA Nov. 14, 2009 at Oregon State Nov. 28, 2009 Wash. St. Dec. 5, 2009 California Forecast The addition of new Head Coach Steve Sarkisian should be the beginning of a return to respectability for the Huskies program. QB Jake Locker looks to be more focused than he has ever been and RB Chris Polk has the talent to be a top back in the Pac-10. The O-line should be sufficient w/ a new workout program and the WR corps has some nice talent. The defense welcomes back 2007 leading tackler E.J. Savannah at LB and a D-Line that will be middle of the pack. The secondary must make strides if Washington wants to be competitive against top tier opponents. Washington State Coach: Paul Wulff Returning Starters: 13(8 offense/5 defense) Most Important Player: Marshall Lobbestael /QB, Kevin Lopina/QB Breakout Player: James Montgomery/RB Waiting In The Wings: Jared Karstetter/WR Schedule Sept. 5, 2009 Stanford Sept. 12, 2009 Hawaii Sept. 19, 2009 SMU Sept. 26, 2009 at USC Oct. 3, 2009 at Oregon Oct. 10, 2009 Arizona State Oct. 24, 2009 at California Oct. 31, 2009 Notre Dame Nov. 7, 2009 at Arizona Nov. 14, 2009 UCLA Nov. 21, 2009 Oregon State Nov. 28, 2009 at Washington Forecast While Washington took some steps to get out of the Pac-10 basement, the Cougars made very little progress in the offseason. On offense, QB's Kevin Lopina and Marshall Lobbestael will be counted on to not lose the game while RB's Dwight Tardy and James Montgomery move the chains. The defense was atrocious in 2008 and shouldn't be much better in '09. Getting 3 wins for Washington State would be a success in 2009. Stanford Coach: Jim Harbaugh Returning Starters: 16(8 offense/8 defense) Most Important Player: Andrew Luck/QB Breakout Player: Richard Sherman/CB,WR Waiting In The Wings: Shayne Skov/LB Schedule Sept. 5, 2009 at Wash. St. Sept. 12, 2009 at Wake Forest Sept. 19, 2009 San Jose St. Sept. 26, 2009 Washington Oct. 3, 2009 UCLA Oct. 10, 2009 at Oregon State Oct. 17, 2009 at Arizona Oct. 24, 2009 Arizona State Nov. 7, 2009 Oregon Nov. 14, 2009 at USC Nov. 21, 2009 California Nov. 28, 2009 Notre Dame Forecast Jim Harbaugh has brought vigor and accountability to the Stanford program. After a 5 win 2008 season, The Cardinal should progress in '09. Amazingly accurate redshirt freshman QB Andrew Luck leads the way on offense w/ RB Toby Gerhert the workhorse on the ground. 2009 could be a major stepping stone for Stanford if the offense can live up to potential. The defense is somewhat thin as the depth hasn't fully been replenished by Harbaugh and staff, but it will. An 8 year bowl drought will likely end if Toby Gerhert sticks around.