Pac-10 Forecast: Ducks to fly high again

1. Oregon - The Ducks, who have said goodbye to the Jeremiah
Masoli era after a series a illegal transgressions, will still quack the
loudest with a huge  returning group that includes running backs
LaMichael James and Kenjon Barner. The key to coach Chip Kelly's spread
option will be at quarterback, where either Nate Costa or Darron Thomas
will replace Masoli. Both looked good in the spring, so the call says the
Quack Attack will once again take a trip to Pasadena in January.

2. Cal - The Bears return 14 starters, including RB Shane Vereen
and WR Marvin Jones. But the key will be what Kevin Riley coach Jeff Tedford gets on Saturdays. I think he gets Dr. Jekyll. Cal also must avoid a recent tradition - a mid-season slump. I think they will.

3. USC - Some had the Trojans as high as No. 3 in the country
following spring practice, and while I thought that was high, they
definitely had the tools, with Barkley, to challenge for the top spot.
Then the NCAA laid down the hammer with sanctions, which this fall
includes a bowl ban. The Trojans motivation now is to play for the A.P.
national title, which they will be in the running for, until a home loss
to Oregon in October. The question is can coach Lane Kiffin hold them together. The thought is he will, but their will be some setbacks.

4. Stanford - The Cardinal may have the best QB in the conference
in Luck. But the question is now can he perform without Toby Gerhart
lining up behind him. The redshirt sophomore must be the man this year, and I think he slips a notch, but coach Jim Harbaugh still has enough in the cupboard for a top four finish.

5. UCLA - The Bruins, who will be led by QB Kevin Prince, made
progress last year to the point where they had a chance for victory in each of their
six losses. I see more improvement, with a better offense and a defense that despite key losses will be better than most think. This is a team that looks ready to make a strong push to the top part of the conference.

6. Washington - The Huskies made great strides in Steve
Sarkisian's first year, and expect more of the same, especially with
Jake Locker, the conference's top QB, back for one final year. Some have them near the top of the conference. But I think this is a more reasonable slot. There's still some work to do on Lake Washington.

7. Oregon State - The Beavers nearly made their first Rose Bowl
in more than 40 years last season. But despite the return of super RB
Jacquizz Rodgers, expect a drop off in 2010. Oregon State lost some key cogs from last season's second-place team, which will be tough to overcome. But Rodgers gives them a shot every week.

8. Arizona - The Wildcats, keyed by former Cal High standoud Nic
Grigsby and QB Nick Foles, have made steady improvement over the past
two seasons. But they take a step backward in 2010.

9. Arizona State - The Sun Devils have fallen on hard times since
sharing the conference title with USC three seasons ago. If anyone can
get them back to square one and beyond, it's Dennis Erickson. I just
don't see it happening this year.

10. Washington State - The Cougars have had very little to growl about
in the past two seasons, winning just three games, including only one
last year. The Paul Wulff plan is just not working.