Pac-10 status good argument for a playoff

PULLMAN – Is the Pac-10 getting dissed again?

Sure it is.

And for once, it might be reasonable, though still somewhat hard to fathom.

It’s impossible to argue the conference is as good as it’s been. In the past few years, even the bottom end of the Pac-10 has put up battles against excellent teams (see Stanford’s win over USC last year for verification).

That’s not the case this season, with the University of Washington and Washington State having historically poor seasons.

Then there’s the hard-to-explain-away non-conference losses by the upper echelon – Arizona at New Mexico, 36-28; Cal at Maryland, 35-27; Oregon at home to Boise State, 37-32; and Oregon State at Penn State, 45-14. Sure, most of the losses were to teams that have proved to be better than expected, but some of the margins were unexpected.

Now the conference’s national reputation is making it tough for the usual standard bearer, USC, to overcome its one hiccup, the 27-21 loss at Oregon State in the season’s third game.

The Trojans entered that game as the No. 1 team in the nation and touted by many national commentators as a shoo-in for the national title game. At the time USC was not only considered one of this year’s best teams, but of past years as well.

Now the Trojans can’t shut down the criticism, even with a nearly bullet-proof defense.

In the last nine halves, USC has given up one touchdown, and that came on a short field at Arizona.

“USC’s defense can be somewhat overwhelming,” Arizona coach Mike Stoops said Tuesday during the Pac-10 coaches’ conference call. “That seems to be the difference maker to me. … Cal’s an excellent defense, too, but I don’t know if they can overwhelm you quite like those guys did to us at USC.”

But even if the Trojans are “the most talented team in the conference, possibly the nation,” according to Oregon coach Mike Bellotti, they are losing ground in the polls and the Bowl Championship Series standings.

After the loss at OSU, the Trojans dropped from first to ninth in the Associated Press poll. Florida, fourth the week before, dropped to 13th after a 31-30 loss at home to Mississippi the same weekend as USC’s defeat.

Since then the Gators have posted four consecutive victories, two against ranked foes (LSU and Georgia). The Trojans have won five straight, outscoring those opponents 214-20.

Yet USC has only moved from ninth to seventh in the AP poll. Florida has jumped from 13th to fourth and it has also jumped the Trojans in the BCS standings, with the Gators fifth this week and USC seventh.

“It really isn’t frustrating at all,” USC coach Pete Carroll said. “We don’t put any stock in that … because it has no bearing as far as we’re concerned.

“We just let it go, keep playing and stuff usually works out.”

But there is a way to ensure that a championship is always figured out and the best team in the nation crowned no matter which conference it plays in.

A playoff.

Though the chances of such a radical change occurring might be the same as waking up this morning with Ralph Nader as the country’s president-elect.

“I’ve always been for a playoff,” Carroll said. “Just being a competitor, I just don’t see any other way it should be done. I will never be influenced to think other than you should keep playing until you find out who the best team is at the end of the season.”

Around the conference

The Arizona State Sun Devils were expected to contend for the Pac-10 title. But they are 1-4 in conference and 2-6 overall, mired in a six-game losing streak. “Sept. 6 was the last time we won,” ASU coach Dennis Erickson said. “That’s a long time. I don’t remember that, ever.” … Erickson also can’t remember coaching a win in Husky Stadium, because it’s never happened. He’s 0-3, losing games as WSU’s and Oregon State’s coach. He has a chance this week. Despite the poor season, the Sun Devils are 14-point favorites over the Huskies. … UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel welcomed back senior quarterback Ben Olson last week during the Bruins’ bye. Olson has been out all season with a foot injury but will practice and suit up this week, though Neuheisel said he’s not game ready. Kevin Craft will remain the Bruins’ starting quarterback against Oregon State. … The Beavers are facing some quarterback questions themselves after starter Lyle Moevao was knocked out of last week’s win over Arizona State. Former starter Sean Canfield threw a pick-six that put the Sun Devils ahead, then rallied OSU to victory. “You don’t really know what to expect because it’s been a long time since Sean played,” Beavers coach Mike Riley said. He won’t find out until later in the week if Moevao will be ready.

•Stanford running back Toby Gerhart is starting to edge toward Tommy Vardell in the school’s record book, from yards gained to touchdowns scored. The two, separated by nearly 20 years on The Farm, bear a striking resemblance, according to Bellotti, whose team hosts Stanford on Saturday. “Tommy was a little big bigger, more of a fullback-type guy, but their running styles are very similar, very physical,” Bellotti said. “They’re faster than you think and they can run through tackles.” … There are three Pac-10 teams with extended losing streaks: WSU at five games, ASU at six and Washington at 10 games. Asked if there were any similarities between the Cougars’ struggles and those of UW, Huskies coach Tyrone Willingham thought it was a coincidence. Willingham, however, thinks the Huskies’ future is bright. “We are building the team back in our talent level and hopefully the next coach will be able to tap into the talent level in the state, and get the best players out here and get them to play and perform very well,” he said.

Cougars notes

Coach Paul Wulff addressed player comments after the Stanford game that alleged some of their teammates may have quit during the blowout. “We need to stay and communicate that among our team,” Wulff said during his news conference. “Really, we’re all frustrated and I wouldn’t expect any different. We should be frustrated. And I think you say things sometimes when you’re frustrated and whether you really mean it, deep down, I don’t know about that. … By no means do we have players pointing fingers and those kinds of things. … My take is I have to, and the players and we all have to, do something about it.”

•Wulff also talked about the benching of Andy Mattingly for a half against the Cardinal. “By no means was Andy being defiant,” Wulff said. “We just have to get our players to learn how to prepare.” … Mattingly is playing defensive end this year after playing his first two years at linebacker. Wulff said the move was necessary because of the Cougars’ lack of defensive ends and, “will we sit down at the end of the season and look at possibly moving Andy back to the (strong-side) linebacker position.” … Senior safety Alfonso Jackson was in a yellow, non-contact jersey at practice, and also played an old/new position. Wulff wasn’t sure why Jackson was in a yellow jersey but he knew why he was playing cornerback, where he started the season. “We’re a little thin with Tyrone (Justin’s) ankle,” Wulff said. “We have to prepare (Jackson) to play there.” Usual starter Justin was still limping on a sprained ankle.

•Defensive end Kevin Kooyman and offensive lineman B.J. Guerra didn’t practice after suffering stingers against Stanford. Linebacker Myron Beck, who suffered the same malady, was able to go. Running back Chris Ivory was on the sidelines running, but isn’t expected to be able to play this week. Tight end Devin Frischknecht was also not in pads. … The starting defense and offense squared off for an extended period, with the offensive effort highlighted by a circus catch from Kevin Norrell. “We need get more quality reps, fast reps,” Wulff said. “As coaches we just feel like that’s a direction we need to go to right now … to keep the speed as close as we possibly can to game time.”