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PAC 10

Conference Overview: In the Pac-10 race there are the USC Trojans, and then everyone else. It won't be a cakewalk for the consensus preseason No. 1, however. Here are the contenders and pretenders for the Pac-10 crown.

Contenders: USC: Senior quarterback John David Booty has blossomed into the QB every prognosticator expected. Another year of comfort in the offense does not bode well for Southern Cal opponents. Cal: Jeff Tedford's Golden Bears have consistently been the bridesmaid to USC's bride in the Pac-10 standings. However, even with the loss of their star running back Marshawn Lynch, this could be the year that Cal usurps the top spot from the Trojans. UCLA: The Bruins bring back 20 of 22 starters from last season. Besides Cal, this is the Pac-10 team that is most poised to unseat the Trojans for the conference Rose Bowl Bid, especially since they beat Southern Cal last season 13-9. Oregon: The Ducks are the dark horse in this conference. They could surprise the rest of the field but their offense will have to carry them. The main bright spot for this team is WR/KR DeSean Jackson. Others To Watch: Oregon State, Arizona State and Arizona

Pretenders: UW: With a record of 7-16 over the last two years, this might be a make or break year for Ty Willingham. The Huskies schedule is the toughest in the conference (and perhaps the country). That alone could prevent their coach from getting the axe if the Huskies don't win more than six games. Others: Washington State and Stanford. - amir shaw

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