Pac-10 Has Firepower For Big ‘98

The Pac-10 could be even stronger next year than it was in 1997 - when it went 23-7 in non-conference play, its best record since 1988.

The early favorites for 1998 will include the usual suspects.

One favorite would be Washington, particularly if either Olin Kreutz or Benji Olson decides to return on the offensive line. UW’s defense will have seven returning starters.

ASU has a stable of running backs but could lose eight defensive starters. USC has returning talent, but that doesn’t seem to indicate much. And UCLA will return Cade McNown and enough other starters to prevent total rebuilding.

Looking to fill the bowl

No. 4 Penn State appears to have the edge among seven teams on the list of the NCAA Bowl Alliance’s finalists for at-large berths. Arizona State was also among the favorites, but the Sun Devils are likely to fall after losing to Arizona 28-16 Friday.

Also on the list are UCLA, North Carolina, Ohio State, Kansas State and Florida.

Four of the six spots at the Orange, Sugar and Fiesta Bowls go to conference champions. No. 5 Florida State already has clinched a berth. The others go to the Southeastern Conference champ, the Big 12 champ and the Big East winner.

Arizona State’s loss, which dropped the Sun Devils to 8-3, could help No. 6 UCLA (9-2) win an at-large spot and a trip to the Fiesta Bowl. If so, Washington (7-4) is likely to play in the Sun Bowl. If not, the Aloha Bowl is expected to choose either Washington or Southern Cal (6-5).

Oregon and Arizona, both 6-5, are also hoping for bowl bids.