USC is a popular favorite to go to the Rose Bowl national championship game and then win another national title. Some are also saying they look unbeatable, and they are on an impressive winning streak. Who do you think will end the streak this season, if anyone?

Opponents are in scheduled order.

UTEP in the national championship game. Duh... ;)

I wonder who voted Arkansas?

HMMMMMMM

(no one ever said I had to be a realistic fan)

Stanford. They almost did it last year. They have to do it this year. :)

I think USC will stumble somewhere along the line this year - not because of lack of talent or coaching, just that they're due. At some point they'll just be off enough on a Saturday against a talented enough and fired-up enough team that they'll lose.

A lot of people are suggesting the Oregon game might be it, but I don't buy it - the Ducks have too many holes to fill and I'm skeptical they'll have adapted to Crowton's new Utah-inspired shotgun-spread offense by that point to threaten USC. I'm voting for Cal - Tedford has done as well as anyone against the Trojan onslaught the last few years and while Cal also has some holes to fill, Tedford has a track record of bringing in talented JC's to plug the holes, and I think Cal has the offense to exploit USC.

I agree with dawgfan. Cal has given USC some real trouble in recent years. If anybody's going to bring them down, that's who it'll be.

if the LSU game goes the right way ASU will be tougher then Cal...asu has the best shotm, but it will have to be in a shootout...ASU has the best recieving core in the Pac-10, USC included

Arizona State will beat USC, and will win the Pac-10 this year. Write it down.

I picked rose bowl opp but it depends on who they play.

ASU won't win the PAC....Not with a first year QB...who's replacing walter?

ASU won't win the PAC....Not with a first year QB...who's replacing walter?
Third-year Junior Sam Keller - who filled in nicely for an injured Walter last year in the Sun Bowl (he was the game's MVP). Read about him here: http://www.azcentral.com/sports/asu/articles/0831asufbkeller0831.html

He's hardly "new" at this point - he knows the offense as well as anyone.

Sam Keller, MVP of the sun bowl...played like a seasoned vet in the bowl(damn what a nice final drive) and in the UofA game after walter went down...kid can flat out play

I don't know shit about the Pac-10, but I picked Arizona for the comedy factor.

I voted for Cal. Gotta back my alma matter even if I don't think this is the year to do it ... given a rookie QB at the helm.

I don't know shit about the Pac-10, but I picked Arizona for the comedy factor.
It worked. :D

Arizona State is a possibility - I think they'll be better than Oregon - but I'm not convinced their defense will be good enough, and I think the RB situation is too much of a question mark. I can see them fighting for 2nd in the Pac-10, but I just don't see anyone in the conference beating out USC for the top spot, even if USC slips once.

I figure it breaks down something like this:

Elite team:
USC
-----
Good teams but with some question marks:
Cal
ASU
UCLA
-----
Good teams with some potentially major holes:
Oregon
WSU
----
Mediocre team that could surprise:
Stanford
----
Teams with major question marks:
Arizona
Washington
Oregon State

Really, after USC I think it's going to be a major scramble in the Pac-10, though I think if any team is going to challenge them it'll be Cal due to the returning talent and Tedford's track record. Koetter has yet to convince me he can lead ASU to the top of the conference.

I'd like to be more optimistic about my Huskies, but I think 4-7 is a reasonable guess and I'd be ecstatic with 6-5 and a bowl game.

Although I went with Oregon (despite the Ducks limitations as noted above, I'm thinking that a rain game in Autzen is as bad a road scenario as the Trojans could face), I almost said UCLA, and I'm surprised no one else has taken them. Could be a serious trap game - it often is - and the Bruins aren't as wretched as they have been. The Trojans will probably have the conference wrapped by then as well.

Who are the other 3 that voted for Hawaii?

Who are the other 3 that voted for Hawaii?
Moe, Larry, and Curly?

Moe, Larry, and Curly?
A wiseguy eh?


Well there's always the chance that the combination of jetlag, the humidity, and whores will weaken the Trojans.

Nyuk, nyuk, nyuk.

You forgot the tropical, booze-laden drinks with the little umbrellas. Those'll slow Reggie Bush down for sure.

Who are the other 3 that voted for Hawaii?


There is 5 now, and I'm one. Really, though it is more a "bet the field" pick. There is not one team on that schedule (save maybe the Rose Bowl opponent) that has a prayer, yet I agree that they will get beat this year. It could be any team, so I say Hawaii as the "field."

Rutgers in the national championship game. Duh... ;)

Thanks. :)

I don't think it's likely to happen, but Notre Dame at home with their offense and a couple turnovers have as good a chance as any team.

Who are the other 3 that voted for Hawaii?

Hawaii?

*snicker*

The 'Bows couldn't stop Jordan Palmer last year when he hung 51 on them...what makes you think they can stop Leinert?

Texas is going to stop them in the Rose Bowl.
Hook 'em

Iowa in the Rose Bowl:D

Hawaii?

*snicker*

The 'Bows couldn't stop Jordan Palmer last year when he hung 51 on them...what makes you think they can stop Leinert?
That was on the road. Hawaii has never been good on the road. Look at last season, 4 road games, 4 road losses.

<TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD width=200>at Rice (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/clubhouse?collegeId=242&sport=ncf) </TD><TD width=125>L 41-29 (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=242620242)</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD width=200>at UTEP (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/clubhouse?collegeId=2638&sport=ncf) </TD><TD width=125>L 51-20 (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=242902638)</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD width=200>at No. 15 Boise State (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/clubhouse?collegeId=68&sport=ncf) </TD><TD width=125>L 69-3 (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=243030068)</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD width=200>at Fresno State (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/clubhouse?collegeId=278&sport=ncf) </TD><TD width=125>L 70-14 (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=243170278)</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Can Hawaii stop Leinert? Eh probably not. But who knows with the humidity, jetlag, hula girls, umbrella drinks, no Norm Chow, Jerry Glanville defense, I'm just saying there's chance.



Maybe Vili will attack him coming out from the locker room. :D

http://www.pacificislands.cc/pm42003/images/42003vili1.jpg

Notre Dame will beat USC.

That was on the road. Hawaii has never been good on the road. Look at last season, 4 road games, 4 road losses.

<TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD width=200>at Rice (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/clubhouse?collegeId=242&sport=ncf) </TD><TD width=125>L 41-29 (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=242620242)</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD width=200>at UTEP (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/clubhouse?collegeId=2638&sport=ncf) </TD><TD width=125>L 51-20 (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=242902638)</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD width=200>at No. 15 Boise State (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/clubhouse?collegeId=68&sport=ncf) </TD><TD width=125>L 69-3 (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=243030068)</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD width=200>at Fresno State (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/clubhouse?collegeId=278&sport=ncf) </TD><TD width=125>L 70-14 (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=243170278)</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Can Hawaii stop Leinert? Eh probably not. But who knows with the humidity, jetlag, hula girls, umbrella drinks, no Norm Chow, Jerry Glanville defense, I'm just saying there's chance.



Maybe Vili will attack him coming out from the locker room. :D

http://www.pacificislands.cc/pm42003/images/42003vili1.jpg


If Hawaii holds SC under 60 points I'll be impressed...

However, I'll be rooting for you guys in the WAC. As the oldest remaining member of the conference you deserve to win the bastard... :)

Notre Dame will beat USC.

Not a chance.

As a USC fan, I'm most worried about ASU. Everything suggests they will be a very good team this year. Not so worried about Cal with Smith and Arrington gone, but that will still be a very tough game.

I can't see another perfect national championship year to be honest, the defense isn't quite as dominating as last year and you have to figure even this offense is going to have one off day against a good team. I think one loss and a major bowl spot makes more sense.

Not a chance.Hell of a lot more of one now that Ty's up in your neck of the woods.

Weis + the returning starters on offense will make for a very potent offense. Add to that it's one game and being at ND and anything can happen. Keep in mind ND beat Michigan and Tennessee last year. In 3-4 years Notre Dame will be just as good as USC is now, but that's a different topic.

Hell of a lot more of one now that Ty's up in your neck of the woods.

Weis + the returning starters on offense will make for a very potent offense. Add to that it's one game and being at ND and anything can happen. Keep in mind ND beat Michigan and Tennessee last year. In 3-4 years Notre Dame will be just as good as USC is now, but that's a different topic.

wow, i couldnt disagree more...i will bet you anything in 3-4 years ND will be ok and nothing more...one or two good seasons, but no USC like teams...weis is a nice coach, but god damn if your dreaming way tooo high...especially in 3-4 years...hell, people thought willingham would have you guys flying in 3 years and hes fired...i hate cocky notre dame fans

I'm not a Notre Dame fan but I think Charlie Weis is a goddam genius and they're lucky to have him.

wow, i couldnt disagree more...i will bet you anything in 3-4 years ND will be ok and nothing more...one or two good seasons, but no USC like teams...weis is a nice coach, but god damn if your dreaming way tooo high...especially in 3-4 years...hell, people thought willingham would have you guys flying in 3 years and hes fired...i hate cocky notre dame fans
You'd be hard pressed to find many ND fans that thought Willingham was going to get it done, though I'll admit to buying in at first. He and his staff could not adjust on either side of the ball during the game, they were lazy recruiters (the man played 18 holes several times a week. That's too much golf for a NCAA D1 coach) and he was too loyal to some bad assistants.

That said-cocky? God forbid we want to win. Nobody thinks they are national contenders yet, but we think we have a coach that can get us there in time. So far Weis has brought in a staff that is as experienced as just about any in the country and that includes a couple of guys that are considered to be great recruiters. They are off to the best start in recruiting in over a decade. The offensive linemen actually look to be in shape heading into a season for a change and players actually fear for losing their spot if they don't work to perform.

How dare we fans expect improvement from our football team! Keep this in mind- USC and Oklahoma went through worse decades than ND just went through before hiring their respective current coaches. Record-wise, that's a fact. Look it up if you need to.

That said, I don't think the horses are there yet to beat Southern Cal.

Hell of a lot more of one now that Ty's up in your neck of the woods.

Weis + the returning starters on offense will make for a very potent offense. Add to that it's one game and being at ND and anything can happen. Keep in mind ND beat Michigan and Tennessee last year. In 3-4 years Notre Dame will be just as good as USC is now, but that's a different topic.

Blah blah blah blah. Everyone's excited when a new coach arrives, everything bad was the old coaches fault.

I am keeping in mind Notre Dame beat Michigan and Tennessee last year (wasn't that with Ty coaching? Hmmm...) Notre Dame has some good players, no question. I certainly don't think Ty is the 2nd coming as a coach, but I don't think he's nearly as bad as Notre Dame fans are trying to paint him, nor is Charlie Weiss the 2nd coming. Maybe he'll be better for Notre Dame than Ty was, but at this point all you guys are doing is just drinking in the Kool-Aid of the "new coach" aura.

Did Ty make mistakes at Notre Dame? No question. He hung on to some assistants too long, and his staff wasn't the best group of recruiters. However Ty has gotten off to a great start at Washington in terms of recruiting, so the idea that he and his staff can't recruit isn't true. As for the claims about his golf schedule - from everything I've read about Ty and his highly disciplined schedules, if anyone can squeeze in a bunch of golf outings and still get everything else done, he can. That said, I highly doubt that he actually played 18 holes several times a week.

Notre Dame as good as USC in 3-4 years? Riiiiight. I'll believe it when I see it.

As for the claims about his golf schedule - from everything I've read about Ty and his highly disciplined schedules, if anyone can squeeze in a bunch of golf outings and still get everything else done, he can. That said, I highly doubt that he actually played 18 holes several times a week.


Your doubt is wrong. There was an article in a golf magazine stating that he played the Warren Golf Course (ND's course) almost daily. Employees of the course have said he would play 9 holes in the morning and 9 in the evening, but wouldn't sign the course's log because of the backlash of him playing that often.

And yes, they beat Tenn and Michigan. What did him and the staff in was the frustrating losses that should have been W's. Not to mention an offense that never got better in three years. It's funny, when he went 10-3 the first year, people said it was smoke and mirrors. Now they quote it as a reason why Ty should not have been fired.

Here's a tidbit of trivia-ND had more 20+ point losses in Ty's three years than they have have had in the entire history of Notre Dame football.

I'm not saying ND will be at USC level in three years. Maybe they will, maybe they won't. I'm saying the same things some of you say about ND now, they were saying about USC and OU pre-Carroll and Stoops. And rightfully so, as USC and OU had worse records heading into those coaches tenures.

God forbid we strive for it.

Although I went with Oregon (despite the Ducks limitations as noted above, I'm thinking that a rain game in Autzen is as bad a road scenario as the Trojans could face),

I'm going with that. I think they'll lose 2 this year.

No worse than the fog in Eugene. :D

I'm not saying ND will be at USC level in three years. Maybe they will, maybe they won't. I'm saying the same things some of you say about ND now, they were saying about USC and OU pre-Carroll and Stoops. And rightfully so, as USC and OU had worse records heading into those coaches tenures.

God forbid we strive for it.

Nobody is saying Notre Dame shouldn't strive for that (so long as they can do so while maintaining their academic and social behavior standards). I don't know if Ty would've righted the ship at Notre Dame - he was stubbornly loyal to his assistants, and I think that cost him dearly - but the fact he was dumped just 3 years in to the job was startling from a school that had always held itself to be above the rest in terms of focusing on wins above all else. They had always trumpeted the fact they didn't fire coaches, they just didn't renew expired contracts.

I think the landscape in college football has changed some, and the academic requirements at Notre Dame (IIRC) have changed since the days of Holtz. Reaching the level of USC or Oklahoma is going to be a major challenge. Maybe Weis is the guy to do it, but I'm not seeing any reason at this point to expect that he's any better a candidate to do so than Ty was aside from the standard optimism that surrounds a new coach following a fired coach.

We all thought that Neuheisel was the guy to get the Huskies back to National Championship level, but that wasn't the case. I'm jaded enough now and I have enough skepticism from his time at Notre Dame to think Willingham will have Washington challenging USC for Pac-10 supremacy in the next couple of years, but I do think he's made a positive difference so far. Of course, we have a lot further to climb than do the Irish at this point. And just to pre-empt any talk of it, I expect the Irish to beat the Huskies this year - the talent level at Washington just isn't high enough to expect an upset, despite the obvious emotional charge the team will have.

Although I went with Oregon (despite the Ducks limitations as noted above, I'm thinking that a rain game in Autzen is as bad a road scenario as the Trojans could face)...

Good theory, but the only problem with it is the game is 9/24 - it's possible it'll be a shitty wet rainy day, but not nearly as likely as if the game were in late October/early November.

I almost said UCLA, and I'm surprised no one else has taken them. Could be a serious trap game - it often is - and the Bruins aren't as wretched as they have been. The Trojans will probably have the conference wrapped by then as well.

I agree - I'd say this is the 2nd most likely loss scenario prior to the Rose Bowl.

Dawg-I'll give you some reasons for the optimism over Weis:
1. His staff, plain and simple is one of the most experienced in the country, though losing Cutcliffe for health reasons hurt. These guys have great reputations as assistants and recruiters. Three have been head coaches. Three have been recruiting coordinators.
2. Recruiting. They are already off to a better start in recruiting than at any point in the Willingham or Davie eras. I remember when Ty was hired, a lot of Stanford fans were saying Ty would screw up ND recruiting, especially on the O-line. When Ty left Stanford, they had squat for depth at O-line. Three years later, ND is a couple injuries on the o-line away from a dangerous situation. Both backup tackles, for example, are true freshmen this season.
3. Gameplanning/adjusting. Diedrich was terrible. Plain and simple. He was predictable and stubborn with his gameplan. Weis' reputation from the NFL is not really one of a dominating offense, but of being unpredictable, able and eager to adjust, and his ability to taylor his offense to his personnel-which Ty and Bill were never able to do.
5. New facilities-believe it or not, ND's training facilities were very spartan compared to the modern football powers. Not so anymore with the opening of the brand new "Gug" center.
4. Support-Never underestimate the impact of an administration that sees the importance of winning. Monk Molloy wanted to be ivy-leaguish and many thought he feared the impact of a giant football program-despite the fact that football helped build ND in to the academic institution it is. The new president has given Weis the budget to hire the assistants he wants and has allowed for some relaxation of standards such as allowing some early enrollments and taking borderline players on a case for case basis. This doesn't mean that ND will start enrolling "student" athletes of Tennessee and Ohio State proportions-that will never happen. Keep in mind that the tough academics excuse was thrown around ND before both Ara and Lou took over. This is nothing new to the modern college football landscape. They've said that about ND for years.

I hope Ty succeeds in Washington. I really do. I've always thought highly of him as a person and I wanted him to succeed at ND. Folks lament that he only got three years but they miss a couple big points: 1. His teams got worse, not better, not only over the three years but over the course of each individual year. 2. Ty wasn't simply "dumped" He had a huge buyout written into his contract when he was hired. I don't know what Washington is paying him this year, but I know it won't be as much as Notre Dame is paying him this year. Contrary to what the blowhards on ESPN say, ND IS honoring Ty's contract.

Well, based on last night's WSU/Idaho tilt (won by the Cougars, ugly style, 38-26), I predict that USC will beat us by a score of, ohhhhhh, let's say 70-21.

Scooper pretty much summed it up, except for one point. I'm also a Patriots fan, and I thought very highly of Weis before he was ever mentioned at ND. This guy is as good at X's and O's as Belichick on his respective side of the ball, and from everything I've heard he's possibly the most respected coach regarding high school coaches, at least in the Northeast, because he has always taken calls from anyone, and good relations with high school coaches are the key to long-term recruiting success (along with winning.) One other thing from watching the AFC East - I've seen Carroll and Groh up close (Carroll for way too long, even though his major fault of being too much a players coach was perfectly suited for college) and if these guys can turn their programs around like they have, I have no doubt Weis can.

D1. His staff, plain and simple is one of the most experienced in the country, though losing Cutcliffe for health reasons hurt. These guys have great reputations as assistants and recruiters. Three have been head coaches. Three have been recruiting coordinators.

This claim happens at a lot of places (it's happened almost every year I can think of at Washington for example). Experience doesn't necessarily mean best. Keith Gilbertson had a highly experienced staff last year that included 2 former head coaches and at least 5 current or former coordinators, and that crew went 1-10. I'm not trying to rain on your parade, just pointing out that this sort of thing gets said a lot but doesn't necessarily equate to "better".

I don't know what Washington is paying him this year, but I know it won't be as much as Notre Dame is paying him this year.

He's getting $1.4 guaranteed and has another $600K or so in reachable incentives (too much money IMO - I would've thrown that money and more at Tedford, Petrino or Miles over Ty, but it's a moot point now).

This claim happens at a lot of places (it's happened almost every year I can think of at Washington for example). Experience doesn't necessarily mean best. Keith Gilbertson had a highly experienced staff last year that included 2 former head coaches and at least 5 current or former coordinators, and that crew went 1-10. I'm not trying to rain on your parade, just pointing out that this sort of thing gets said a lot but doesn't necessarily equate to "better".
You're not raining on my parade. I don't take pundit's words for it. I know who they are, where they've been, who has played for them and how much they've won. If you're ever bored enough, hop over the und.com and look them up. The credentials are there.

One popular quote that has made the rounds of ND boards supposedly came from an NFL personnel guy. He said something like replacing Ty's staff with the guys Charlie has brought is like replacing mall cops with navy seals. Now I realize this is message board fodder and who knows if someone really said it, but you asked for why our excitement and this is part of the reason why.



He's getting $1.4 guaranteed and has another $600K or so in reachable incentives (too much money IMO - I would've thrown that money and more at Tedford, Petrino or Miles over Ty, but it's a moot point now).
Well, add $6 million to that, because that's what ND is reportedly paying him to buy out his contract.

Petrino or Tedford would have kicked some ass at UW. Miles may have as well, but he landed in a pretty good situation himself.

You're not raining on my parade. I don't take pundit's words for it. I know who they are, where they've been, who has played for them and how much they've won. If you're ever bored enough, hop over the und.com and look them up. The credentials are there.

They look pretty good, but check the resumes of the assistants on pretty much any big Division 1-A BCS school, and you'll see pretty similar resumes. I'll reiterate - resumes are nice and all, but that doesn't necessarily mean those coaches are all that great. Bill Diedrich had a pretty nice resume of schools he'd worked for and positions he'd held too.

I really have no idea how good a staff Weis has. All I'm saying is, simply judging by where guys have worked before and what positions they've had is only part of the story, and that many schools can claim similar levels of experience on their football staff (including Ty's staff currently at Washington).

One popular quote that has made the rounds of ND boards supposedly came from an NFL personnel guy. He said something like replacing Ty's staff with the guys Charlie has brought is like replacing mall cops with navy seals. Now I realize this is message board fodder and who knows if someone really said it, but you asked for why our excitement and this is part of the reason why.

You'll forgive me if I take this with a grain of salt. Anyone can say anything on an internet MB, as you know. Now, when former UW QB and NFL vet Hugh Millen was saying repeatedly on local radio how NFL scouts were aghast at how sloppy the UW practices were under Rick Neuheisel, well, that's criticism I take a lot more seriously - you know the source and have some reason to trust that source.

Petrino or Tedford would have kicked some ass at UW. Miles may have as well, but he landed in a pretty good situation himself.

I have no idea if any of those guys would've come to the UW had we pursued them and flashed them a lot of money, but what's frustrating is our AD apparently didn't even try - as soon as Ty was available, that's the only guy he went after.

I wanna see em go all the way, and then get beat. Just like the Patriots.

Ooops...meant to say Patriots get beat by the Raiders in the AFC Championship.

Interesting comments in retrospect, but now this is all that's left...
Texas is going to stop them in the Rose Bowl.
Hook 'em

Not a chance.

and this. dawgfan should give up prognosticating