This could be Coach Pete Carroll's best squad at Southern California, quite a feat considering the Trojans have won 33 of their past 34 games and consecutive national titles. Familiar faces return in Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Matt Leinart and running back Reggie Bush. The most significant loss on offense was coordinator Norm Chow, who left to take the same position with the Tennessee Titans.

Regardless, the gap between the Trojans and the rest of the conference has widened. California, UCLA, Arizona State and Oregon - all capable but somewhat flawed teams - will contend for second behind mighty USC, which again seems destined for the Bowl Championship Series title game. Cal will not be as strong as last season, despite Coach Jeff Tedford's reputation of developing new quarterbacks. Arizona State also has to replace its signal caller, while Oregon has issues at linebacker and UCLA needs to demonstrate improvement defensively.

There is no question UCLA will be overshadowed in Los Angeles, but that does not mean the Bruins are not improved. With 16 returning starters, Coach Karl Dorrell's club will have no shortage of experience, which could come in handy late in games. UCLA lost four games by six points or fewer. Watch the linebacking corps, considered one of the nation's best, featuring Spencer Havner, who led the conference in tackles, and Justin London. Aside from hosting Oklahoma on Sept. 17, the Bruins get a break in the schedule: UCLA won't face Oregon, and Cal and Arizona State visit the Rose Bowl.

This conference features two teammates who could finish first and second in the balloting, a tandem that nearly accomplished that last year. Leinart, of course, won the award; Bush finished fifth. Leinart returned because he wanted to; Bush returned because he had to - he was only two years removed from high school. Don't expect Leinart's offseason elbow surgery to be an issue. It will, however, be interesting to see how the quarterback operates without Chow calling the shots.

Expect Tyrone Willingham to get more time to rebuild Washington than he did Notre Dame. Dorrell is under some pressure after two six-win seasons. But Arizona State Coach Dirk Koetter is under the most scrutiny, and not for a 26-23 four-year record. Running back Loren Wade was charged with first-degree murder in the March shooting death of a former player. A subsequent university-led investigation into events before the murder found that Koetter made "errors in judgment."

USC at Cal, Nov. 12: The Trojans have not lost a game since their triple-overtime loss in Berkeley two seasons ago. The Golden Bears likely will enter the contest with a gaudy record because of a soft early season schedule. And, well, the Trojans will probably be in pretty decent shape, too.

1. Southern Cal
2. California
3. UCLA
4. Arizona State
5. Oregon
6. Oregon State
7. Wash. State
8. Arizona
9. Washington
10. Stanford