ESPN Post Spring Practice Top 25

[gofightingducks]

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/columns/s ... id=4166221

4. USC Trojans
We won't have to wait long to find out if the Trojans do indeed simply reload after losing so many star players to the NFL draft. After hosting San Jose State in their Sept. 5 opener, the Trojans play at Ohio State on Sept. 12. Either Aaron Corp or freshman Matt Barkley will be making his second career start at quarterback in that game. There will be a lot of talent around whoever starts at quarterback, including receiver Damian Williams and as many as six tailbacks who could start on most other Pac-10 teams. Eight starters must be replaced on defense, including linebackers Brian Cushing and Rey Maualuga and defensive end Clay Matthews. The Trojans feel pretty good about their linebacker corps, and end Everson Griffen finally emerged as a potential difference-maker during spring practice. Along with the road trip to Ohio State, USC faces difficult road games at California on Oct. 3, at Notre Dame on Oct. 17, at Oregon on Oct. 31 and at Arizona State on Nov. 7.

11. Oregon Ducks
For the first time in 15 seasons, Oregon will open a football season without coach Mike Bellotti on the sideline. Bellotti retired from coaching and becomes the school's athletic director July 1. Offensive coordinator Chip Kelly replaces Bellotti and his honeymoon won't last long. The Ducks open the season Sept. 3 at Boise State and then play consecutive home games against Purdue, Utah and California. Oregon must replace six players who were selected in the NFL draft, including safety Patrick Chung, cornerback Jairus Byrd and center Max Unger. Quarterback Jeremiah Masoli is back and is a threat to run or throw the ball. Running back LeGarrette Blount has battled off-field problems and a foot injury. Three starters must be replaced on the offensive line, along with receiver Jaison Williams. Only one starting defensive lineman returns, and the losses in the secondary were heavy.

13. California Golden Bears
This might very well be the season in which California finally breaks through in the Pac-10. The Bears have been close before -- they climbed as high as No. 2 in the national rankings before finishing 7-6 in 2007. Coach Jeff Tedford has earned the reputation of a quarterback guru, but Cal's passers have been pretty mediocre in recent seasons. Kevin Riley will have to hold off Brock Mansion and Beau Sweeney to win the starting job this year. But the Cal offense starts with tailback Jahvid Best, who ran for 1,580 yards and 15 touchdowns last season. He missed spring practice after undergoing foot and elbow surgeries. All-American center Alex Mack will have to be replaced up front, and the receiver corps is far from a finished prospect. Three of the team's four starting linebackers must be replaced, including star Zack Follett. The Cal secondary is one of the most underrated in the country, after finishing sixth in pass-efficiency defense and ranking third nationally with 24 interceptions last season. Cal will have to play better on the road this season, with games at Minnesota, Oregon, UCLA and Arizona State looming on the schedule.

14. Boise State Broncos
We might know before the first Saturday of the season whether the Broncos are again a legitimate BCS bowl game contender. Boise State opens the season Thursday, Sept. 3 against Oregon on the blue turf of Bronco Stadium. The opener is being called the most anticipated home game in school history. With six starters coming back on both offense and defense from a team that finished 12-0 during the regular season in 2008, Boise State fans have plenty of reason to be excited. Quarterback Kellen Moore and receivers Austin Pettis and Titus Young lead a high-octane passing attack. The offensive line needs to be more consistent, after 11 different combinations played in 13 games last season. All four starters are back in a very talented secondary, led by cornerback Kyle Wilson. If the Broncos can beat the Ducks, they'll face two difficult road games: at Fresno State on Sept. 18 and at Tulsa on Oct. 14.

23. Utah Utes
The team that finished 13-0 and stunned Alabama by two touchdowns in the Sugar Bowl last season has plenty of holes to fill in 2009. Utah returns only four starters on offense and must replace quarterback Brian Johnson. The top three receivers from 2008 also are gone, along with the right side of the offensive line. Quarterback Corbin Louks was trying to hold off juco transfer Terrance Cain and freshman Jordan Wynn during spring practice, but the three-man race probably won't be settled until preseason camp. Seven starters are back on defense, but the Utes must replace star defensive end Paul Kruger and cornerbacks Sean Smith and Brice McCain. Coach Kyle Whittingham feels very good about ends Koa Misi and Derrick Shelby. The loss of All-American kicker/punter Louie Sakoda also can't be underestimated. The Utes will be good enough to win 10 games again, but they'll have to win at least one of three difficult road games: at Oregon on Sept. 19, at TCU on Nov. 14 and at BYU on Nov. 28.

[gregspechtismyhero]

I like how the biggest roadblock for BSU is at Tulsa

[gofightingducks]

I like how the biggest roadblock for BSU is at Tulsa

Haha I guess Oregon is not much of a challenge for Boise State even though they say it is the biggest game ever in Boise.

[UOducksTK1]

It would have been nice to start this season at home..

Masoli is going to have to step it up @ Boise for us to win. Blount could struggling on the smurf turf, which is why we need Masoli to rush for 100 and pass for 200!

[BisonDucks]

It would have been nice to start this season at home..

Masoli is going to have to step it up @ Boise for us to win. Blount could struggling on the smurf turf, which is why we need Masoli to rush for 100 and pass for 200!

I'd rather face them in the first game of the year. From my recollection they scored 49 against Idaho State but mustered up 20 or so against Bowling Green. They will start slower than us because their running game is not that good and the passing games lags behind. I really think that favors us.

[UOducksTK1]

It would have been nice to start this season at home..

Masoli is going to have to step it up @ Boise for us to win. Blount could struggling on the smurf turf, which is why we need Masoli to rush for 100 and pass for 200!

I'd rather face them in the first game of the year. From my recollection they scored 49 against Idaho State but mustered up 20 or so against Bowling Green. They will start slower than us because their running game is not that good and the passing games lags behind. I really think that favors us.

Perhaps, but with a brand new coach and a lot of key players leaving, I'm still a little nervous about game 1. You say their running game is not that good, but don't forget our D line is being restructured and is still suspect. And Kellen Moore torched us last year, I'm confident we'll adjust, but I wouldn't say their passing game lags behind.

I guess more anxious than nervous, but I'd feel a lot better if I was at the game screaming my lungs out.

[jhopduck]

Well their QB was a freshman in his first game ever last year. It will only be his first game of this season this year. He's a good smart QB, I expect fireworks at this game.

[jimmyg]

It would have been nice to start this season at home..

Masoli is going to have to step it up @ Boise for us to win. Blount could struggling on the smurf turf, which is why we need Masoli to rush for 100 and pass for 200!

Why would Blount struggle on the blue turf? Does that turf lend to footing problems or something that catch visitors off guard?

[BisonDucks]

It would have been nice to start this season at home..

Masoli is going to have to step it up @ Boise for us to win. Blount could struggling on the smurf turf, which is why we need Masoli to rush for 100 and pass for 200!

I'd rather face them in the first game of the year. From my recollection they scored 49 against Idaho State but mustered up 20 or so against Bowling Green. They will start slower than us because their running game is not that good and the passing games lags behind. I really think that favors us.

Perhaps, but with a brand new coach and a lot of key players leaving, I'm still a little nervous about game 1. You say their running game is not that good, but don't forget our D line is being restructured and is still suspect. And Kellen Moore torched us last year, I'm confident we'll adjust, but I wouldn't say their passing game lags behind.

I guess more anxious than nervous, but I'd feel a lot better if I was at the game screaming my lungs out.

What I meant by the passing game was that the defense will be ahead of the offense and the running game will be ahead of the passing game - for all teams because the timing in the passing game is harder to gel. I think this favors us.

Also, this is the best team for our d-line to start against. BSU's weakest unit is the offensive line and they're are small. Although I really don't know why it's suspect. Our DE in Tukuafu and Rowe are stellar. Bair, Ferras, Montgomery, Toeaini and fall enrollee Iupati should be more than serviceable.

[UOducksTK1]

It would have been nice to start this season at home..

Masoli is going to have to step it up @ Boise for us to win. Blount could struggling on the smurf turf, which is why we need Masoli to rush for 100 and pass for 200!

Why would Blount struggle on the blue turf? Does that turf lend to footing problems or something that catch visitors off guard?

I know he was limited in carries against Cal and USC, but he really struggled to get anything going (especially against USC). All 3 of our losses last year where Blount's 3 worst games (in terms of ypc)! Which is a pretty amazing stat. We live and die by Blount.

And his recent injuries, off the field issues, and unimpressive spring game just have me a little bit concerned. Especially since we don't have JJ to pick up the slack for him...

[jhopduck]

Blount's effectiveness was directly related to JJ's success. I agree with TK, I have vast concerns about Blount shouldering the load this year, we really will need James or Alston or Crenshaw to be effective to be close to what we did last year. And our young O-line could really use some good run support for the passing game to flourish. Blount will get into shape, I just hope that James and co. get in shape too.

[Boom]

Blount's effectiveness was directly related to JJ's success. I agree with TK, I have vast concerns about Blount shouldering the load this year, we really will need James or Alston or Crenshaw to be effective to be close to what we did last year. And our young O-line could really use some good run support for the passing game to flourish. Blount will get into shape, I just hope that James and co. get in shape too.

I think that the threat of Masoli in the backfield will help benefit our RB's. As long as he stays healthy and makes the right reads with the option then I think our running game will be just fine.