USC still the team to beat
07-26-2006

There actually is a little room for debate.

USC has lost 11 starters, including the past two Heisman Trophy winners, so it has plenty of reloading to do after its last-minute loss to Texas in the national championship Rose Bowl.

This might be the time for the rest of the league to catch the Trojans.

But there is also little doubt that USC will be the anointed team to beat tomorrow when the Pac-10 conducts its annual media day in Los Angeles and announces the results of its preseason poll.

The race for the Pac-10 remains for second. It probably will be that way every year until coach Pete Carroll decides to return to the NFL.

The Citizen's John Moredich and Anthony Gimino each see California and Arizona State as the league's top challengers this season, but the Bears have a question at quarterback and the Sun Devils are still looking for a semblance of a defense.

The rest of the league is up for grabs.

See more at Tucson Citizen