The best: Arizona, the only Pac-10 school that hasn’t played in the Rose Bowl, makes yet another bid for Pasadena. The Wildcats are typically solid on defense, but this year they return their entire offensive front wall. Arizona was lucky to beat Illinois last September but then crushed Miami 29-0 in the Fiesta Bowl. Only roses will be enough to satisfy the folks in Tucson this time.
The rest: Call it the Air-Pac. From Rob Johnson at Southern Cal to Wayne Cook at UCLA to Dave Barr at California to Steve Stenstrom at Stanford, the league’s quarterbacks can throw it. USC appears to be on the verge of returning to its former greatness under head coach John Robinson. UCLA can’t be counted out as long as it has touchdown threat and Heisman hopeful J.J. Stokes loping through the secondary. Washington is trying to recover from sanctions for rules violations. New coach Jim Lambright takes over for the legendary Don James. Arizona State could make a run at the first division. The Sun Devils’ defense returns seven starters from a group that held opponents without a touchdown for 10 straight quarters at one point late in the season. Bill Walsh’s Stanford Cardinal should have a passing offense as good as any in the country, led by fifth-year senior quarterback Steve Stenstrom.
Key game: Arizona at USC, Nov. 12.
Fast fact: The last five battles between UCLA and USC have been decided by a total of 13 points.
The picks: 1. Arizona; 2. Southern Cal; 3. UCLA; 4. Washington; 5. Arizona State; 6. California; 7. Stanford; 8. Oregon; 9. Oregon State; 10. Washington State.
