The Pacific-10 Conference favorite opened the 1996 football season over the weekend with an inspiring victory against a ranked team from one of the nation's premiere conferences.
Wait, check that.
That was the WAC favorite, Brigham Young, beating Big 12 contender Texas A&M; on Saturday. The once-mighty Pac-10, meanwhile, followed a recent trend by getting humiliated on national television, with USC proving no match for Big Ten power Penn State.
Sunday's 24-7 thrashing isn't a good sign for the Pac-10, considering coaches and media designated USC as a clear favorite to win the conference this season. The Pac-10 lost four of five postseason games last season - including embarrassing showings by Washington and Oregon - and is below .500 in bowls during the 1990s.
"I just think that's an aberration," said Rick Neuheisel, coach of Big 12 power Colorado, which opens Saturday against Washington State. "I'm a Pac-10 guy, grew up in the Pac-10 (at UCLA), and I know what kind of talent is in that conference.
"I think that the Pac-10 will be right back where it normally is, amongst the nation's best. I just hope not back before August 31st."
Despite USC's poor showing Sunday, it's difficult to settle on another favorite for the Pac-10 title. The Trojans are a young team that figures to improve.
Arizona State, 19 returning starters or not, remains a pretender until it can prove otherwise, while 1995 co-champion Washington cant be expected to conquer its difficult schedule.
Oregon, meanwhile, lost most of its defense and seems destined to slip after spending the last two New Years Days in the Rose and Cotton bowls. That should let Stanford, under Pac-10 coach of the year Tyrone Willingham, slip into the top three.
Following is a team-by-team look at the Pac-10, listed in projected order of finish. (Last season's overall and conference records are listed parenthetically.)
USC (9-2-1, 6-1-1)
Head coach John Robinson stressed patience during the off-season, and for good reason.
The offensive line needs time to develop, considering an off-season injury to guard Phalen Pounds left the unit devoid of returning starters.
Quarterback Brad Otton threw for 20 touchdowns last season and is 10-2-1 as a USC starter, but didn't look the same Sunday with Keyshawn Johnson in the stands.
On defense, the Trojans have abandoned their 5-2 front for a more conventional scheme. An 11-man front may not have helped Sunday.
Tackle Darrell Russell and cornerback Daylon McCutcheon are all-conference locks.
Arizona State (6-5, 4-4)
Jake Plummer returns as one of the nation's best college quarterbacks, while tackle Juan Roque and receiver Keith Poole also made the all-conference first team last season.
Once again, the trouble will be on defense. Nine starters return from a unit that ranked last in the Pac-10 in run, pass and total defense. A Sept. 21 date with Nebraska won't help this year's numbers.
Oregon (9-3, 6-2)
Quarterback Tony Graziani returns, as do five experienced offensive lineman, giving the Ducks promise on offense.
Serious questions persist on defense, however, where Oregon lost seven starters. The secondary was hardest hit, losing three.
Stanford (7-4, 5-3)
Running backs Anthony Bookman (872 yards in 95) and Mike Mitchell (592) will help cover for an unsettling situation at quarterback, where Tim Carey and Chad Hutchinson are unproven.
Jon Ritchie, a converted fullback who transferred from Michigan, joins Chris Draft on a linebacking unit that must improve against the run.
Washington (7-4-1, 6-1-1)
A victory in the opener at ASU seems vital if UW is to remain at the top, considering the Huskies will be fortunate to go 2-2 during a four-week stretch that includes games at Notre Dame and USC.
Rashaan Shehee will divert pressure from young quarterbacks Shane Fortney and Brock Huard, who have capable targets in Dave Janoski and Fred Coleman.
Defensively, David Richie, Jason Chorak and Ink Aleaga make the front seven solid. The secondary is a major concern, however, with redshirt freshmen manning the corners.
UCLA (7-5, 4-4)
New coach Bob Toledo inherited a tough schedule from Terry Donohue. He didn't inherit running back Karim Abdul-Jabbar, however, leaving Skip Hicks at running back.
The Bruins, led this year by Hicks and sophomore quarterback Cade McNown, play five of their first seven games on the road, including stops at Tennessee, Michigan, Oregon and Washington.
Washington State (3-8, 2-6)
Most preseason publications pick the Cougars ninth. Most also don't mention running back Michael Black, receiver Kevin McKenzie, defensive end Dorian Boose or defensive tackle Leon Bender.
All figure to make an impact this season, as will 6-foot-5, 238-pound quarterback Ryan Leaf, offensive tackle Scott Sanderson and linebacker James Darling.
Home games against Oregon and Washington also give WSU an opportunity to move to higher ground.
Arizona (6-5, 4-4)
The Wildcats have lost a step on defense, but hope to make up for it by improving an offense that is traditionally terrible.
