ESPN Teams Bowl Game Chances
Posted: Sat May 16, 2009 8:42 am
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/columns/s ... id=4167367
4. USC Trojans
How they get to Pasadena: It will be a very short bus ride -- if quarterback Aaron Corp can manage the offense as well as Mark Sanchez did. Corp is the starter headed into preseason camp, but he'll have to hold off ultra-talented freshman Matt Barkley. The Trojans have tailbacks stacked like cord wood and receiver Damian Williams might emerge as a Heisman Trophy candidate. The defense might not be as good with so many stars leaving for the NFL, so the Trojans will have to make up for it on offense.
Biggest roadblock: at Ohio State, Sept. 12
11. Oregon Ducks
How they get to a BCS bowl game: Survive the first four games. Give the Ducks a ton of credit for their aggressive nonconference schedule. Oregon opens the season Sept. 3 at Boise State and then plays home games against Purdue, Utah and California. New coach Chip Kelly's honeymoon will be brief, but a 3-1 start would put the Ducks in position for a BCS bowl game or even better.
Biggest roadblock: at Boise State, Sept. 3
13. California Golden Bears
How they get to a BCS bowl game: Find a quarterback. The Bears will be able to run the football very well with Heisman Trophy candidate Jahvid Best and Shane Vereen coming back. But Cal's quarterbacks have been inept the last couple of seasons, which you don't expect from a Jeff Tedford-coached team. Kevin Riley is the favorite heading into camp, but he'll have to hold off Brock Mansion and Beau Sweeney.
Biggest roadblock: at Oregon, Sept. 26
14. Boise State Broncos
How they get to a BCS bowl game: Win the opener. Boise State's Sept. 3 opener against Oregon is one of the most anticipated games in school history. If Boise State can beat the Ducks, it will be in good position to run the table again. Only road games at Fresno State and Tulsa appear to be potentially treacherous the rest of the way.
Biggest roadblock: at Tulsa, Oct. 14
23. Utah Utes
How they get to a New Year's Day bowl game: Settle on a quarterback. Duplicating last season's remarkable 13-0 finish won't be easy, especially after quarterback Brian Johnson departed. Corbin Louks is the quarterback to beat in preseason camp, but he'll have to hold off juco transfer Terrance Cain and freshman Jordan Wynn.
Biggest roadblock: at Oregon, Sept. 19
4. USC Trojans
How they get to Pasadena: It will be a very short bus ride -- if quarterback Aaron Corp can manage the offense as well as Mark Sanchez did. Corp is the starter headed into preseason camp, but he'll have to hold off ultra-talented freshman Matt Barkley. The Trojans have tailbacks stacked like cord wood and receiver Damian Williams might emerge as a Heisman Trophy candidate. The defense might not be as good with so many stars leaving for the NFL, so the Trojans will have to make up for it on offense.
Biggest roadblock: at Ohio State, Sept. 12
11. Oregon Ducks
How they get to a BCS bowl game: Survive the first four games. Give the Ducks a ton of credit for their aggressive nonconference schedule. Oregon opens the season Sept. 3 at Boise State and then plays home games against Purdue, Utah and California. New coach Chip Kelly's honeymoon will be brief, but a 3-1 start would put the Ducks in position for a BCS bowl game or even better.
Biggest roadblock: at Boise State, Sept. 3
13. California Golden Bears
How they get to a BCS bowl game: Find a quarterback. The Bears will be able to run the football very well with Heisman Trophy candidate Jahvid Best and Shane Vereen coming back. But Cal's quarterbacks have been inept the last couple of seasons, which you don't expect from a Jeff Tedford-coached team. Kevin Riley is the favorite heading into camp, but he'll have to hold off Brock Mansion and Beau Sweeney.
Biggest roadblock: at Oregon, Sept. 26
14. Boise State Broncos
How they get to a BCS bowl game: Win the opener. Boise State's Sept. 3 opener against Oregon is one of the most anticipated games in school history. If Boise State can beat the Ducks, it will be in good position to run the table again. Only road games at Fresno State and Tulsa appear to be potentially treacherous the rest of the way.
Biggest roadblock: at Tulsa, Oct. 14
23. Utah Utes
How they get to a New Year's Day bowl game: Settle on a quarterback. Duplicating last season's remarkable 13-0 finish won't be easy, especially after quarterback Brian Johnson departed. Corbin Louks is the quarterback to beat in preseason camp, but he'll have to hold off juco transfer Terrance Cain and freshman Jordan Wynn.
Biggest roadblock: at Oregon, Sept. 19
