Trojans draw universal praise
LOS ANGELES – If the past seven years are any indication, USC will win the Pacific-10 Conference football title again.
The Trojans, who have won or shared the past five conference titles, were the unanimous choice of the media to win the 2007 football title in the annual preseason poll of the West Coast media.
The media have picked the winner each of the past seven seasons.
The last time the media were wrong was in 1999, when Stanford won the conference title (Arizona was the pick) after being predicted to finish eighth – which is where the Washington State Cougars were slotted this season, one spot ahead of Washington.
The Cougars, who finished tied for fifth last season after also being picked eighth, aren’t bothered by the underdog role.
“Someone asked me recently if I read the preseason magazines,” said senior quarterback Alex Brink, “and, honestly, I told them I hadn’t read one since my freshman year. We are always picked eighth. But, though the expectations outside the program aren’t high, that doesn’t mean the expectations inside the program are low. Ours aren’t.”
The Trojans also are just about everyone’s choice to win the national title, earning the favorite’s role from a minimum of six preseason publications.
But are they even better than that?
“USC is the best team in the country, and may be the best team in the history of college football,” new Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh said.
“I’m glad he thinks that,” said USC coach Pete Carroll. “Thanks, Jim.”
For WSU coach Bill Doba’s part, USC is the class of the conference and there is only one team that can beat them.
“I think SC has to beat themselves,” Doba said.
Notes
The Cougars again aren’t receiving much respect. In the conference’s 2007 media guide, the school’s overall record from 2006 is listed as 3-8, although the conference record of 4-5 is correct. WSU actually finished 6-6 last season. … Conference commissioner Tom Hansen addressed the high-profile NBA referee scandal, saying it puts a shadow on all sports. “Every referee will have the stigma of that, and everyone will raise that on every call. It affects everyone who puts on an officiating uniform. We regret that.” … Dennis Erickson’s return to the Pac-10 as Arizona State coach was noted often in the guide, but Erickson had another view. “I was looking at our press guide,” said the former WSU, Oregon State and Idaho head coach. “And I was reading my biography. It’s starting to read a lot like an obituary.” … Long-time WSU sports information director Rod Commons will step down Wednesday and will be replaced by assistant Bill Stevens. … Oregon State coach Mike Riley was not available because of the recent death of long-time OSU assistant coach Jim Gilstrap. Gilstrap, 65, died last week and his memorial service was Thursday.