LOS ANGELES - A busy Pac-10 media day last Wednesday featured the introduction of four new coaches and lots of talk of quarterback controversy, Heisman hopefuls and exceeding expectations. Below is a brief media day roundup of the nine other football teams in the conference (Pac-10 projected rankings by media in parentheses).
ARIZONA (10) - Projected by Pac-10 media members to finish last, the Wildcats have a long road to travel to get back into contention. The biggest change for UA will be a new defense, going from the flex form to a standard 3-4. The biggest questions on offense will be the health of Clarence Farmer, the running back who missed most of last season with an injury, and the starting quarterback position, which will feature sophomore Nic Costa and redshirt freshman Ryan O'Hara battling for the top spot under center.
CALIFORNIA (8) - Despite the loss of Kyle Boller to the first round of the NFL Draft, head coach Jeff Tedford has arranged for the Golden Bears to start the season in grand fashion by playing the highly-touted No. 5 ranked Kansas State Wildcats in Kansas City in the Black Coaches Association Classic, a game ASU played to start the 2002 season.
OREGON (5) - Despite being the Ducks' head coach for just eight years, Mike Bellotti now holds the top spot for longevity amongst Pac-10 coaches. Oregon's biggest losses came from three juniors on offense who left early for the NFL: wide receiver Keenan Howry, running back Onterrio Smith and tight end George Wrighster. Bellotti said he has yet to select a starting quarterback as returning starter Jason Fife and sophomore Kellen Clemens will compete for the position.
OREGON STATE (4) - It's the second go around at OSU for new head coach Mike Riley, a hometown hero in Corvallis, and he's as happy as anyone to be back in the Pac-10. "I've been a Pac-10 gym rat since I grew up in Corvallis and I've never seen it better," Riley said. Expect for Riley, a former head coach of the San Diego Chargers, to bring his NFL coaching experience back to the Beavers, a team that garnered two first-place votes in the preseason poll.
STANFORD (9) - A young team that will be led by a senior quarterback, Chris Lewis. "Chris and I came into college together," said senior wide receiver Luke Powell. "This is my fifth year with him and I've seen what he can do physically." The Cardinal field a young team this year, with almost half of the roster being true or redshirt freshmen.
UCLA (6) - Another in the long list of new head coaches in the Pac-10, UCLA starts the season with former Bruin wide receiver Karl Dorrell leading the team, replacing Bob Toledo. Dorrell, who was ASU's wide receiver coach in 1994, spent the last three seasons coaching with the Denver Broncos. "I've always been very fond of the Pac-10 as a player and throughout my coaching profession," Dorrell said. "It's a great feeling to be back representing the university that I went to school at."
USC (1) - Away games will be critical this year for the defending Orange Bowl champions. "We have a number of huge games coming up, including the road game with Auburn, and we'll take them as they come," Trojan head coach Pete Carroll said. Also on USC's road schedule are key games at ASU, Notre Dame and Washington.
WASHINGTON (3) - "Stranger than reality TV." That's how newly appointed head coach Keith Gilbertson described the past few months and his hiring as Rick Neuheisel's replacement. Gilbertson has been the Huskies' offensive coordinator the past four seasons. The offensive-minded coach has his two biggest weapons back, wide receiver Reggie Williams and quarterback Cody Pickett. Pickett threw for a Pac-10 record 4,458 yards last season. Gilbertson will have to face a baptism by fire as his team opens up the season at Ohio State to play the defending national champions.
WASHINGTON STATE (7) - Bill Doba, a Cougar assistant coach for the past 14 years, takes over last year's Pac-10 representative in the Rose Bowl. The path won't be easy this year as quarterback Jason Gesser, Outland Trophy-winning defensive linemen Rien Long and cornerback Marcus Trufant, a first round draft pick, are all gone. Senior Matt Kegel, who has seen limited playing time the past three seasons, is scheduled to start the season at quarterback. "It's tough to replace a legend like Gesser, but we are very confident in Matt Kegel," Doba said. "He knows our offense and has taken over the reins of the leadership."
Reach the reporter at jeffery.hoodzow@asu.edu.
