1.  Chris Wells, Ohio State–Wells holds on to the top spot this week, as we’re taking his word that his foot is going to be okay.  He most likely will miss the Ohio game this weekend, but that shouldn’t affect his Heisman chances too much, as there is a precedent for Heisman winners missing early-season games (namely Charles White and Bo Jackson).  It will, however, increase the stakes for the huge matchup the following Saturday at No. 1 USC.  He must do well (100+ yards) in a Buckeye win, or go crazy (180+ yards) in a close Buckeye loss, to solidify his status as the Heisman frontrunner.

Last week:    13 carries, 111 yards, 8.5 ypc, 1 TD against Youngstown State

2. Chase Daniel, Missouri–Daniel got off to a great start to his season with a nice performance in an exciting win over a ranked Illinois squad.   It’s pretty clear that Daniel is going to have the numbers needed to win the Heisman, barring injury.  If he can lead his team to the Big 12 title, then he should finish no worse than second and could even win the trophy.  The next three weeks Mizzou plays three cupcakes, so Daniel can pad his stats before a potentially high-profile game against Nebraska on Oct 4.

Last week:  26 of 45 for 323 yards, 3 TDs, 1 int against No. 20 Illinois

3. Pat White, West Virginia–I wrote in my Heisman Preview that White would need to step it up in the passing game to make a serious Heisman run and he did just that in week one.  By season’s end, no one will remember that his 5 TD passes came against lowly Villanova–they will just be part of his statistical total.   He is already 1/4 of the way to having 20 TD passes on the season, which should impress voters who think he is just a glorified running back.  White got a bit of a gift this weekend when WVU’s next opponent, East Carolina, beat Virginia Tech.  He can now showcase his abilities in a game that some people might actually care about, before getting a chance to hog the spotlight on Sept. 18 (Thursday night) at Colorado.

Last week: 25 of 33 for 208 yards, 5 TDs, 0 ints against Villanova

4.  Mark Sanchez, USC–It seems exruciatingly early to already be touting a USC quarterback for the Heisman, but there it is.  Sanchez benefitted, believe it or not, from the attention created by his dislocated knee cap in the weeks prior to USC’s game against Virginia.  Suddenly, he became the subject of increased speculation, which made him more of a known quantity.  He was able to reward that speculation and attention with an outstanding game against the Cavaliers.  He is a potential boom-bust candidate.  As long as USC is doing well and he is doing well, he’s going to hover near the top of this list.  But, should his team falter, he will bear the brunt of the blame.  The Ohio State game will determine his Heisman future.  Should he do well in a USC win, then he will zoom into the top two or three and become one of the main contenders.  If the Trojans lose, then he can start working on his resume for a run at the Heisman in 2009.

Last week: 26 of 35, 338 yards, 3 TDs, 1 int against Virginia

5. Colt McCoy, Texas–Don’t look now, but McCoy looks to be back and better than ever.  What has largely gone unnoticed over the past year is how effective a runner the Texas QB has become.  For now, he will be helped by the fact that Texas is below the radar, as he can perform without too much pressure until the matchup with Oklahoma on Oct. 11.  By then, McCoy could be on his way to a remarkable season and people will just be starting to realize it.  If McCoy can help slay OU and Mizzou in back-to-back weeks, he’ll have as good a case for the Heisman as anyone in this race.

Last week:  24 of 29, 222 yards, 3 TDs, 0 Ints, 12 carries, 103 yards, 1 TD against FAU.

6. Matt Stafford, Georgia–Is Stafford finally ready to break out as a passer?  Will Mark Richt let him put up the numbers he needs to compete for the Heisman?  Looks like it so far.  But Stafford won’t have a chance to break into the top five of this list until he survives the gauntlet of South Carolina, Arizona State and Alabama that begins in a couple weeks.

Last week: 13 of 21, 275 yards, 2 TDs, 0 Ints against Georgia Southern.

7.  Percy Harvin, Florida–Harvin is hanging on a bit in this race.  He missed the Gators’ first game against Hawaii and is slated to play against Miami this Saturday.  But how healthy is he, really?  We won’t know until we see him play.  One thing is for sure:  He probably needs to explode against Miami to get back in the thick of the Heisman hunt.  A lackluster game, or another DNP could mean his chances for the Heisman have gone bye bye.

Last Week:  DNP

8. Stafon Johnson, USC–Johnson is the most likely USC back to gain the yards needed to challenge for the Heisman.  However, it seems apparent that USC is sticking with its tailback by committee approach.  Unless Johnson can get untracked in a big way against Ohio State, he’ll drop from this list.

Last week:  9 carries, 28 yards, 1 TD against Virginia

9. Graham Harrell, Texas Tech–Harrell had his typical day against Eastern Washington.  But until people stop yawning at his 500-yard passing games, he’s just a fringe candidate waiting for an opportunity.

Last week:  43 of 58, 536 yards, 2 TDs, 1 int

* * *

If the vote were held today

1. Tim Tebow

2. Chase Daniel

3. Pat White

4. Chris Wells

5. Mark Sanchez

6. Knowshon Moreno

7. Graham Harrell

8. James Laurinaitis

9. Colt McCoy

10. Sam Bradford

For entertainment purposes only. And if I'm wrong, I'm guessing you'll be entertained.

Oregon State 24, Stanford 20: This smelled like a potential Stanford upset, but then the Cardinal got hit with a couple of injuries on the OL and at WR, so the Beavers get the nod in a game that figures to be low scoring. Oregon State's biggest edge is at the skill positions, and here's a guess that QB Lyle Moevao will be much smoother this season distributing the ball.

Oklahoma State 38, Washington State 24: The Cougars were hit hard by bad news this week with DT Andy Roof being kicked out of school and OT Dan Rowlands retiring due to recurring shoulder problems. The Cougars are thin on both lines. Meanwhile, the Cowboys' offensive line boasts 89 career starts, which makes this a mismatch up front.

USC 42, Virginia 10: The biggest point of interest here is how well USC QB Mark Sanchez plays after his rapid recovery from a dislocated knee. It's also worth watching to see how Pete Carroll distributes the ball among his six tailbacks. And you might want to catch the nation's best defense. Virginia is rebuilding, with just 11 starters back, and the Trojans don't do that. 

California 28, Michigan State 24: This might be the best matchup of the weekend. Kevin Riley surged late to win the Bears QB job over Nate Longshore, but Longshore is expected to see some action. Will TB Jahvid Best put on a show? Speaking of shows, Spartans tailback Javon Ringer and a huge OL will test the Bears' new 3-4 look.

Oregon 35, Washington 24: Justin Roper takes over Oregon's spread-option offense after Nate Costa went down with a knee injury, and his strong performance in the Sun Bowl suggests he is fully capable. He'll get a lot of help from Jeremiah Johnson and LeGarrette Blount in the backfield and an offensive line that should have its way with the young Huskies front. A Washington upset will require a spectacular performance from QB Jake Locker, which is not beyond the realm of possibility.

Arizona 44, Idaho 20: Arizona needs a fast start and it will get it here. The veteran Wildcats offense should look good out of the gate, even without outstanding TE Rob Gronkowski. Moreover, the young defense probably will build up its confidence against an overmatched Idaho offense.

Arizona State 48, Northern Arizona 17: The Sun Devils get a preseason game. They might want to recall Appalachian State at Michigan a year ago and remember to show up.

Tennessee 27, UCLA 17: New UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel's debut is a tough one, with an SEC power coming to town. The UCLA defense and special teams could keep this one close, but the offense  -- even with guru Norm Chow calling the shots -- figures to struggle mightily against a tough Vols DL.   

Really labored over some of these.

Offense
QB Rudy Carpenter, Sr., Arizona State
RB Jahvid Best, So., California
RB Jeremiah Johnson, Sr., Oregon
TE Rob Gronkowski, So., Arizona
OL Alex Mack, Sr., California
OL Jeff Byers, Sr., USC
OL Juan Garcia, Sr., Washington
OL Max Unger, Sr., Oregon
OL Andy Levitre, Sr., Oregon State
WR Mike Thomas, Sr., Arizona
WR Brandon Gibson, Sr., Washington State
K Thomas Weber, So., Arizona State

Defense
DE Nick Reed, Sr., Oregon
DT Fili Moala, Sr., USC
DT Brian Price, So., UCLA
DE Dexter Davis, Jr., Arizona State
LB Rey Maualuga, Sr., USC
LB Brian Cushing, Sr., USC
LB Zach Follett, Sr., California
CB Jairus Byrd, Jr., Oregon
CB Alterraun Verner, Jr., UCLA
FS Taylor Mays, Jr., USC
SS Patrick Chung, Sr., Oregon
P Keenyn Crier, So., Arizona

KR Ronald Johnson, So., USC
PR Sammie Stroughter, Sr., Oregon State

Of course, you plan to watch every game. But if you had to pick 10, might we suggest...

1. Ohio State at USC, Sept. 13: It's the game of the year, period. The winner is an immediate national title contender and the loser won't be eliminated. No game this season will even approach the defensive talent on the field. Mistakes will be critical in what figures to be a defensive struggle, so whichever QB handles the pressure better figures to be the deciding factor.

2. Oregon at USC, Oct. 4: Can the Ducks win two in a row vs. the Trojans and jump to the top of the Pac-10? It won't be easy on the road. But Oregon figures to offer USC a legitimate challenge. And, as we've mentioned before, it's sort of fun how Pete Carroll and Mike Bellotti appear to have a prickly relationship.

3. Oregon at Arizona State, Oct. 25: This one could be for the Holiday Bowl berth. Or perhaps, if USC plays for the national title, a Rose Bowl. Basically, the Ducks visit to Tempe likely decides who plays second fiddle to USC. The Sun Devils will be looking for revenge after last year's 12-point loss in Eugene, their first defeat in 2007 after an 8-0 start.

4. Georgia at Arizona State, Sept. 20: This is more a test for Georgia, which is the preseason No. 1 in both polls. The Bulldogs haven't traveled outside the Southeast in decades for a non-conference game, but it's worth noting they have been an outstanding road team in the SEC under coach Mark Richt. If the Sun Devils win, it would be a landmark victory announcing the program as a team headed for the elite.

5. Oregon at California, Nov. 1: These two played one of the best games of the 2007 season, and it again figures to have significant conference implications. When Cal won 31-24 at Oregon a year ago -- having already overwhelmed Tennessee -- the Bears looked like national title contenders. Then they lost six of their next seven. This time, the game is much later in the season.

6. UCLA at Washington, Nov. 15: It's unlikely this game will have any relevance in terms of who wins the Pac-10, but when Rick Neuheisel makes his first trip to Washington as UCLA's coach, it will be national news. Neuheisel was fired at Washington before the 2003 season and later settled for a $4.5 million payout from a lawsuit he filed against the school and NCAA. Many Huskies fans still blame Neuheisel for the tailspin the program has been in ever since.

7. Arizona State at California, Oct. 4: Arizona State's biggest win of 2007 in terms of perception was over California, and that shows the lack of big wins among the Sun Devils 10 victories because the Bears were at the time riding a two-game losing streak (it turned out the biggest win was a stunning comeback victory over Oregon State in the Pac-10 opener, but that's not the point here). It's possible that the loser here will fall out of the race for second place.

8. Notre Dame at Washington, Oct. 25: This game will register more away from the West Coast and with national Notre Dame fans. Still, the symbolism is clear. Willingham was controversially fired at Notre Dame. His replacement, Charlie Weis, was hailed early as a genius, given a huge contract and then led the Fighting Irish into their worst season in ages. Both coaches are on the hot seat, and Willingham probably needs to win this game in order to return in 2009 just because it's one of the weakest team the Huskies face.

9. USC at UCLA, Dec. 6: The first meeting between new UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel and the man he wants to challenge for LA supremacy, Pete Carroll. It looks like a mismatch on paper, but then again it also did in 2006 when the Bruins knocked the Trojans out of the national title hunt with a shocking 13-9 win.

10. Oregon State at Penn State, Sept. 6: The Beavers, who've won the third most games among Pac-10 teams over the past six years, don't think they get enough respect. Penn State and their fans probably aren't going to give them much, either. But if the Beavers go into Happy Valley and win, well, it will be hard not to immediately register them as a Pac-10 contender.

From the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA):

The USC Trojans are the top-ranked team in the Football Writers Association of America's preseason Grantland Rice Super 16 Poll. The Trojans nipped second-ranked Georgia, although both schools picked up five first-place votes. It's the fourth time in five years USC has been picked No. 1 by the FWAA in the preseason.

The only other Pac-10 team in the poll is Arizona State, tied with BYU for 16th. The Big 12 placed five teams in the top 16 and the SEC had four. California and Oregon also received votes.

Arizona State and Oregon make the Top 25.

2008 Preseason Top 25 Coaches Poll [USATODAY.com]

It looks like there were some interesting moments that went on at media day today so lets get to it.

Officiating was front and center right out of the gate. It appeared early on that a number of the new rule changes and how they would be enforced did not inspire a lot of confidence particularly with Pete Carroll.

More specific and no longer allowed:

• No Horse Collar tackles - it will be called as a penalty every time this year.
• A face mask is a face mask - 15 yard penalty no matter what
• Field Goals can and will be reviewed by the replay officials
• Targeting a player could earn the offending player an ejection

That last one caused a lot discussion as it is clear that it could be interpreted differently from crew to crew. Dan Weber gives us the rundown.

Officiating Coordinator Cutaia shows a vicious hit, but clearly not dirty, of a punt receiver.

He says the clip shows a play where the officials could consider "ejection.''

Pete Carroll nearly is ejected from his seat at how unfair that would be to the player. A majority, maybe all nine other Pac-10 coaches, seem to agree.

Cutaia does not. This rule will cause more problems than it will solve if Thursday's discussion is any guide.

"This stuff just happens,'' Carroll said. "There was no intent . . . This is not an ejectable event. You guys just don't understand.''

And they don't agree.

Carroll really is unhappy that the connection between "ejection'' and "targeting'' has been made.

And you don't have to hit the ball-carrier with your helmet to target him. An elbow, shoulder, whatever, will do.

I can see why Pete Carroll is not happy, USC defenders have been hitting opposing players hard and they have gotten a lot of attention over it. Be it Maualuga's hit on Cowan or Wright's hit on Locker SC defenders have been known for punishing hits. The subjective nature of these and other calls also came up in discussions and Pete Carroll once again asked what gives?

Pete Carroll had just asked Officiating Coordinator David Cutaia the question: "How can we lead the league for the fourth straight year in opponents' fewest yards penalized?

Cutaia shook his head. No answer.

"You ask him,'' Carroll said.

So we did.

"All I can tell you is we look at every play in every game, including USC's, '' Cutaia said. "And we think they're mostly called correctly.''

And yes, Cutaia said, "We have had this discussion before (with USC).''

And "We have no explanation.''

Why am I not surprised...these guys still haven't learned from the Oregon/Oklahoma debacle a couple of years ago. The Pac-10 will continue to be the laughing stock when it comes to officiating until they are more accountable for their actions on the field.

Speaking of rules the antiquated rules regarding home jerseys will once again prevent USC and ucla from having the visiting team wear their their home jersey's because the visiting team lose a time out in BOTH halves.

Had it just been in the first half, UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel said he would have called a time-out immediately to even the playing field. But losing one in the second half is too risky, he said, although he wishes the schools could get an exemption so there could be a red vs. blue game.

"My guess is it will be turned down," Neuheisel said. "But it should be that way."

It's too bad that the powers that be can't see how something so simple could do so much for this rivalry.

As for who said what well lets take a look.

Mike Bellotti opened his remarks with a tribute to recently passed Oregon Player Tood Doxey.

“It’s exciting to be back for the 2008 football season, despite the fact that we are mourning Todd Doxey. He will be forever with us in our hearts. Our players are committed to honoring his memory. With that said, we are excited about opening our season against Washington because it’s a Pac-10 game, it gets our team’s attention, it’s on TV and we have three weeks to prepare for Jake Locker, one of the best players in the Conference.

Dennis Erickson had some interesting comments about gaining national prominence.

On Georgia coming to Tempe:

"If we want to get national prominence we've got to play games like that. I'd like to play a game like that once a year -- all at home. To me, it puts you on a national stage against a great conference. Obviously, they are one of the better teams in the conference. It's a huge game in Tempe.

Of course everyone wanted to see what Jim Harbaugh said after last years comments about USC an pete Crroll especially after their upste of SC but he wouldn't take the bait.

Last year, Jim Harbaugh made a splash as Stanford's new coach when he proclaimed USC to be perhaps the best team in college history. Asked if he had any more bulletin board material for this year, Harbaugh said: ``Have I had any bulletin board fodder? I didn't know I was a bulletin board guy.''

I will address Slick Rick and Pete Carroll's day at the podium in separate posts later.

The Pac-10 Media poll goes as follows:

1. USC (38)
2. Arizona State
3. Oregon
4. California (1)
5. UCLA
6. Oregon State
7. Arizona
8. Washington
9. Stanford
10. Washington State

Follow the jump for Trojan DePo's predictions, including projected conference records.

To kick things off, here's this year's pre-season media poll. Remember that the LA Times does not participate, but we do report ...

1. USC (38) - 389
2. Arizona State - 330
3. Oregon - 295
4. California (1) - 274
5. UCLA - 204
6. Oregon State - 192
7. Arizona - 185
8. Washington - 139
9. Stanford - 76
10. Washington State - 61

First place votes are in parenthesis, total votes are listed after the dash.

According to the league, the poll has picked the champs 25 of 47 years and the past 8 seasons in a row (a few of those were ties, of course). USC has been on top for six years in a row, the longest streak since an 18-year run from 1965-1982.

Here's the poll with total points
1. USC (38) 389
2. ASU 330
3. Oregon 295
4. Cal (1) 274
5. UCLA 204
6. Oregon State 192
7. Arizona 185
8. Washington 139
9. Stanford 76
10. Washington State 61

9:35 am -  Tyrone Willingham/QB Jake Locker - Washington
9:50 am -  Jim Harbaugh/C Alex Fletcher - Stanford
10:05 am - Paul Wulff/FL Brandon Gibson - Washington State
10:20 am - Jeff Tedford/C Alex Mack - California
10:35 am - Mike Stoops/QB Willie Tuitama - Arizona
10:50 am - Mike Bellotti/ROV Patrick Chung - Oregon
11:05 am - Break
11:15 am - Rick Neuheisel/DT Brigham Harwell - UCLA
11:30 am - Mike Riley/CB Brandon Hughes - Oregon State
11:45 am - Dennis Erickson/QB Rudy Carpenter - Arizona State
12:00 noon - Pete Carroll/SLB Brian Cushing - USC

This is a a good group of players so it should be interesting to see what some of these players have to say. I wonder what Harbaugh is going to say this year??