Jake Locker and Andrew Luck Heisman Hopefuls

Washington Huskies quarterback Jake Locker likely would have been a Top 10 NFL pick had he opted to go pro this year. However, he returned for his senior season and has his sights set on the Heisman Trophy. Fellow Pac-10 quarterback Andrew Luck of Stanford has been rising up on the NFL draft boards for next season and has those same goals for a Heisman Trophy. If either player were to win the coveted Heisman, there respected teams would have to be in contention for the BCS National Championship or at least a BSC Bowl bid. It will be interesting to see if either quarterback can capture the Heisman Trophy.

Preseason All-Pac 10 Defensive Team

Here is the Rivals.com Preseason All-Pac 10 Defensive Team for 2010:

DE - Ricky Elmore, Arizona

DT - Jurrell Casey, USC

DT - Stephen Paea, Oregon State

DE - Kenny Rowe, Oregon

LB - Vontaze Burfict, Arizona State

LB - Casey Matthews, Oregon

LB - Michael Mohamed, California

CB - Desmond Trufant, Washington

CB - Trevin Wade, Arizona
FS - Rahim Moore, UCLA

SS - Delano Howell, Stanford

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Preseason All-Pac 10 Offensive Team

Here is the Rivals.com Preseason All-Conference Offensive Team for the 2010 Pac-10 season.:

QB - Jake Locker, Washington

RB - LaMichael James, Oregon

RB - Jacquizz Rodgers, Oregon State

WR - Ronald Johnson, USC

WR - Jermaine Kearse, Washington

WR - James Rodgers, Oregon State

T - Michael Philipp, Oregon State
T - Bo Thran, Oregon

G - David DeCastro, Stanford

G - Butch Lewis, USC

C - Colin Baxter, Arizona

USC Players Scuffle

To say USC has had a rough offseason may not do it justice. To add to the sanctions earlier this year, it was reported two USC players had engaged in a fight that required sugery for one of the players. Fullback Stanley Havili and teammate T.J. Bryant reportedly got in a fight last week during the final players-only conditioning practices. After a shoving match, Stanley Havili struck T.J. Bryant in the face which required surgery to fix his broken left cheekbone. After a quick ban, both players are allowed back at practices. Lane Kiffin will have his work cut out for him to turn the program back to elite status.

Pac-10 Preseason Media Poll

Last week, the Pac-10 Preseason Media Poll was released. The poll was the projected Pac-10 standings in 2010. The number in the parentheses is the first place votes. Here were the results:

1) Oregon (15)

2) USC (12)

3) Oregon State (3)

4) Stanford (1)

5) Arizona (2)

6) Washington (1)

7) Cal

8) UCLA (1)

9) Arizona State

10) Washington State

For the first time since probably 2003, USC is not the clear cut preseason favorite to win the Pac-10. Oregon won the conference last season and there are 5-6 teams that have a legitimate shot to win it this year. Even ASU could sneak in and suprise some people. By the way, to get some good ASU college football tickets, check out the Arizona State Sundevils page. Should be a great season!

Pac-10 Coaches Meet in New York City

Last week, the Pac-10 Coaches and Commissioner Larry Scott met in New York City to promote the conference and try to raise the awareness of the conference. Located on the West Coast, the Pac-10 realizes it is easier to go under the radar since the TV markets feed off of the east coast and central time zones. Conferences like the Big 10, Big 12, SEC, and ACC tend to get a lot of the TV and media time. The Commissioner Larry Scott hopes for increased exposure to the conference and for more games on the TV schedule. The Pac-10 hopes the BCS will view the conference as competitive as the other major conferences in the nation.

Pac-10 Changing Name to Pac-12

When the two new members join the Pac-10 in 2011, the conference will be officially renamed the Pac-12. Joining the current 10 team conference is the University of Colorado and the University of Utah. The name new will also come with a new logo, a sleek looking shield with mountains and waves surrounding the number 12. Pac-10 Commissioner Larry Scott announced the move earlier this week and hopes the new conference can get more national respect in college football with the additions.