Dregs sounds like such a bottom of the barrel kind of thing. Last year the Pac-10 did have eight teams out of 10 finish with at least 6 wins, a bowl-minimum requirement. And even Washington finished at 5-7, just one win away from elbowing into the bowl discussion. Meanwhile, the Pac-10 has been dubbed the #2 conference behind the SEC in the discussion for best BCS conference in America. Many Pac-10 coaches and fans alike will tell you that there is rarely a cake-walk on a weekly basis once conference play begins. That said, here's a look at three teams in the Pac-10 this year that don't look like they'll be contenders, and more than likely will be left out of the holiday fun
| Washington State University Cougars |
Last year: 6-6 overall, 4-5 Pac 10
Why They'll Win: Offense, offense and more offense. Senior QB Alex Brink is poised to break almost every WSU career passing record imaginable. Even better, he's not only bulked up with 10 to 15 lbs of pure muscle this off-season, but he's cleaned up his mechanics in his delivery, reportedly showing improvement already in camp. The running game appears to be in good hands, as RB Dwight Tardy came on strong last year to lead the team in rushing as a red-shirt frosh, and sophomore Chris Ivory is a player on the rise in the program who will get the reps as Tardy's understudy. But the biggest advantage WSU will have this year is at WR. Brandon Gibson and Michael Bumpus are one of the most productive receiving tandems to return in '07, and combined with WR Charles Dillon and TE Jed Collins, the Cougars look like they'll be able to rack up yards in bunches.
Why They Won't: Defense, defense and more defense. Oh, where to begin? Best defensive end and team leader in all-conference selection Mkristo Bruce? Gone. Best linebacker in Scott Davis? See ya. Best defensive back in all-conference safety Eric Frampton? Buh-bye. The Cougar D had it's heart walk off the field after last year's season finale, and it won't be easy to rebuild. Further, the guys who are left are already experiencing injury issues. LB Andy Mattingly and safety Terry Mixon are both on the shelf for the time being, unsure if they will be ready to go in a couple or weeks. Finally, both starting corners from last year are gone, and the pool of available talent to replace them is shallow. Right now, the probable starters at corner are a true frosh (Chima Nwachukwa) and a JC transfer who didn't even play football last year (Devin Giles). Not what you look for when you want to contend in a conference that knows a thing or two on throwing the football.
Prognosis: The Cougars theme in 2006 was finish. 2005 was a year where several games turned out to be come-from-ahead losses, and for a while things improved last season. But it all fell apart late, and now, it's back to the drawing board in a lot of places. The schedule doesn't have many layups either. Opening at Wisconsin is a potential nightmare, and even San Diego State in Seattle the following week could be scary. Plus trips to Arizona and USC round out September. They'll be exciting to watch, and the aerial circus could be special, but too many holes on defense and the usual lack of depth will have the Cougars on the outside looking in when bowl invitations are handed out in December.
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