Pac-10 Preview

2009 Standings
Oregon 10-3 (8-1)
Arizona 8-5 (6-3)
Oregon State 8-5 (6-3)
Stanford 8-5 (6-3)
USC 9-4 (5-4)
California 8-5 (5-4)
Washington 5-7 (4-5)
UCLA 7-6 (3-6)
Arizona State 4-8 (2-7)
Washington State 1-11 (0-9)

Returning Leaders: Passing
Kevin Riley, Cal, Sr (209 of 382 for 2850 yds, 18 TD, 8 INT)
Jake Locker, Washington, Sr (230 of 395 for 2800, 21 TD, 11 INT)
Matt Barkley, USC, Soph (211 of 352 for 2735, 15 TD, 14 INT)
Andrew Luck, Stanford, Soph (162 of 288 for 2575, 13 TD, 4 INT)
Nick Foles, Arizona, Jr (257 of 400 for 2465, 19 TD, 9 INT)

Returning Leaders: Rushing
LaMichael James, Oregon, Soph (230 carries for 1546 yds, 14 TD)
Jacquizz Rodgers, OSU, Jr (273 carries for 1440 yds, 21 TD, 5.2 ypc)
Chris Polk, Washington, Jr (226 carries for 1113 yds, 5 TD, 4.9 ypc)
Shane Vereen, Cal, Jr (183 carries for 952 yds, 12 TD, 5.2 ypc)

Returning Leaders: Receiving
James Rodgers, OSU, Sr (91 rec for 1034 yds, 9 TD, 7.0 rec/game)
Jacquizz Rodgers, OSU, Jr (78 rec for 522 yds, 1 TD, 6.0 rec/game)
Ryan Whalen, Stanford, Sr (57 rec for 926 yds, 4 TD, 4.4 rec/game)
Jeff Maehl, Oregon, Sr (53 rec for 696 yds, 6 TD, 4.1 rec/game)
Jermaine Kearse, Washington, Jr (50 rec for 866 yds, 8 TD)

Returning Leaders: Tackles
Mike Mohamed, Cal, Sr, LB (111 total, 8.54 tackles/game)
John Boyett, Oregon, Soph, S (90 total, 6.92 tackles/game)
Mason Foster, Washington, Sr, LB (85 total, 7.08 tackles/game)
Alex Hoffman-Ellis, Wash St, Jr, LB (84 total, 7.64 tackles/game)

Returning Leaders: Sacks
Kenny Rowe, Oregon, Sr, DE (11.5 sacks)
Ricky Elmore, Arizona, Sr, DE (10.5)
Nick Perry, USC, Soph, DE (9.0)
Thomas Keiser, Stanford, Jr, DE (8.0)
Cameron Jordan, Cal, Sr, DE (8.0)

Returning Leaders: Interceptions
Rahim Moore, UCLA, Jr, S (10 interceptions)
Trevin Wade, Arizona, Jr, CB (5)
Talmadge Jackson, Oregon, Sr, CB (4)
Akeem Ayers, UCLA, Jr, LB (4)

Around the Interweb

Who is your pick to win the Pac-10?

Scout.com's Oregon State site BeaverFootball.com:

It's hard not to pick Oregon, they have so much coming back. But the quarterback is so pivotal to that offense and team and Jeremiah Masoli had it down to a science. But with Masoli running afoul of the law and having been kicked off the team, the Ducks I think may falter in the chase for the crown. In the end, USC, allow they can't go to a bowl, finishes atop the Pac-10 standings.

Anthony from the USC based blog The Trojan Empire:

With 7 teams receiving first-place votes from the media, parity is evident in the Pac 10. I'm going to stray from the popular pick, which is Oregon, and choose the Beavers of Oregon State. Mike Riley's teams are notorious for slow starts, and have a difficult slate to begin the season, but once they enter Pac 10 play, they will entertain two of the conference favorites at home (USC, Oregon), while also welcoming the Golden Bears. Oregon appears a a world-beater at home, but no so much away from Autzen. USC has lost the last two games played in Corvallis, and if not for late Reggie Bush heroics, there would have been a third.

UCLA based blog The Trojan Haters Club:

One thing’s for sure – usc will not be representing the Conference in the Postseason this year. Even with all the defections, Lane Kiffin — a mediocre Head Coach at best — still has more talent on his roster than anyone else. But usc’s ban leaves Oregon in the driver’s seat to play in the Rose Bowl Game, even without dynamic stoner QB Jeremiah Masoli. The Ducks seemed like the Class of the Pac-10 last season.

Breaking Down The Pac-10

Arizona Wildcats

Chris (Prediction: #7): The only reasons I have Arizona falling this far is that I'm not sold on the offense's ability to win shootout games in this league. The offense is perfectly adequate, but adequate won't do it in a league this stacked offensively. Also there are some questions defensively, as the Wildcats only return 4 starters from a pretty good defense a year ago, and will also have to deal with switching to a completely different scheme. This all adds up to not being a contender for the Pac-10 title.

Ross (Prediction: #6): They lose a ton on defense (7 starters), return a ton on offense (8 starters), lose both coordinators... but they have a favorable schedule (5 conference home games and two of the conference road games are winnable ones @ UCLA and @ Washington State).  If you wanted to swap them with Washington, I wouldn't argue.

Arizona State Sun Devils 

Chris (Prediction: #9): Offensively the Sun Devils will struggle...but not as much as most people think. Who can forget that Steven Threet was adequate at Michigan two years ago before transferring away from Rich Rod's option heavy spread? Threet may not be the Sun Devils' savior in 2010, but 2011 may be a different story, especially if linebacking sensation Vontaze Burfict sticks around for the party. The Sun Devils' 2010 storyline: O will struggle and D will be good...not 2009 good, but good.

Ross (Prediction #9): LB Vontaze Burfict is one of the best players in the league. Unfortunately, his teammates kinda suck.

California Golden Bears

Chris (Prediction: #6): Separating the teams in the middle of the Pac-10 is like choosing the hottest girl at a Curves...in other words, it's difficult and extremely agonizing. To pick Cal over Arizona, I have to believe that Cal's pass defense will improve drastically (despite only returning one starter and probably starting a freshman). I don't, but in a quarterback's league, no guy has more experience than Kevin Riley. Riley will use that experience to exploit Pac-10 secondaries alongside one of the nation's best up-and-coming running backs in Shane Vereen. Also, Jeff Tedford coached teams play too well for the Bears to fall any further.

Ross (Prediction: #5): This seems to be in the default range that Cal is settling into under Tedford: good, but not great.  Kevin Riley's back for a third year as starter, but he's shown little that makes you think he could lead them to the promised land.  Still, the bottom rarely falls out on Tedford teams and they should have a strong offense. 

Oregon Ducks

Chris (Prediction #1): At first I was skeptical about Oregon's contention (in the Pac-10 and nationally) without returning 2-year starter Jeremiah Masoli, but then a familiar name appeared in the starting lineup...one Nate Costa. Costa may not be a Masoli (which at this point we can't take as completely a bad thing, right?), but with all of the skill position talent at his disposal, and a completely intact offensive line, I have faith in Costa. Add in 8 returning starters on an improving defense and your have your conference champs. Oh wait, and did I mention LAMICHAEL JAMES!? How many guys in recent history can you remember who didn't start the season and finished with 1,500 yards rushing. Yeah, that's right, THIS GUY! They will ride on James' coattails all year, and James (who quickly became one of the nation's best) will lead them to Pac-10 glory.

Ross (Prediction: #1): Even without Masoli, this team is loaded on offense (9 returning starters, including the entire offensive line) and features a lot of returning faces on defense, too.  If they get decent performance out of whoever emerges at QB, they should again be very, very good.  The one concern: the schedule has them going to USC, Cal, and Oregon State, three difficult road games. 

Oregon State Beavers

Chris (Prediction #4): The Rodgers' brothers are going to rewrite a lot of Oregon State records together. That doesn't necessarily equal Pac-10 contention, but if they stay healthy, there's no arguing that they can make a run at the Rose Bowl. The key will be sophomore quarterback Ryan Katz (assuming he's the starter). If the Rodgers' brothers have to drag him along for the whole ride, it's unlikely the Beavers will even crack the top half. But the offensive and defensive talent is such that if Katz is just efficient and the Beavers' staff plays not to lose (a risky way to play believe it or not) they should finish high enough to warrant a good bowl and season they can be proud of.

Ross (Prediction #2): Definite potential to be atop the league, given how much they return on offense (8 overall, including 4/5 of the offensive line and the marvelous Rodgers brothers) and the fact that Riley has developed into one of the most consistently good and reliable coaches in the Pac 10.  They also have a fairly favorable schedule, with three of their top opponents (Cal, USC, Oregon) all coming to Corvallis.  Breaking in a brand-new QB is a worry, though. 

Stanford Cardinal

Chris (Prediction: #3): Even if the Cardinal lost Heisman Trophy candidate Toby Gerhart, they return the Pac-10's most efficient passer...yes, sophomore Andrew Luck...not that kid named Clausen. The Cardinal may have snuck up on some teams last year, but this year teams will be wary from the get-go. Luck will have to turn that efficiency into even more productivity after losing his backfield mate, and especially with a suspect defense, will have to win more shootouts this year than a year ago. But don't sleep on Coach Jim Harbaugh. He is almost ready to contend annually for the Pac-10 hardware.

Ross (Prediction #4): There are reasons not to like them, like their porous defense, the fact that their star player and leader (Toby Gerhart) is gone, and the fact that they have a slew of potentially difficult road games (@ Notre Dame, @ Oregon, @ Washington, @ Cal)... but they also have arguably the best QB in the conference (Andrew Luck) and he has a lot of weapons back and Harbaugh has done such an incredible job of turning that program around that it's hard to bet against him. 

UCLA Bruins

Chris (Prediction: #8): The Bruins have improved under Rick Neuheisel, and enjoyed some tempered success. However, this group is too young to contend for anything and the upward trend will at least be put on hold this year. That doesn't mean watching that other team from Los Angeles couldn't be exciting too. For one thing, the Bruins boast preseason All-Conference pick Rahim Moore, who last year picked off a PHENOMENAL 10 passes! $20 on him not topping that total this year to anyone who will take it, but if he does, doesn't that validate my they can be exciting claim?

Ross (Prediction: #8): They return a lot on offense and another year with Norm Chow should only help them progress on that front; unfortunately, they're going to need to outscore most of their opponents because they return little on defense and just lost one of their best players (Datone Jones) to an injury. 

USC Trojans

Chris (Prediction: #2)- Many have the Trojans winning the Pac-10, especially now with Jeremiah Masoli moving on to Ole Miss, but I'm not sold. First off, how will the Trojans perform under the damper of not being able to play in the postseason? What about the other restrictions imposed by the NCAA? What about their enigmatic new head coach Lane Kiffin, who although has shown some impressive recruiting tactics, has yet to prove himself to be a great coach. Or how about their savior of a quarterback? You know, the kid who sort of kind of did something that was almost amazing but not really (beating Ohio State by giving the ball to Joe McKnight on pass plays to pad his stats on that final drive). Also, as a Pac-10 assistant correctly pointed out, Barkley didn't really improve with time. He makes too many mistakes, as was highlighted in his senior year of high school when he threw more picks than TD's...yet still managed to be a top prospect. Add to that the Trojans numbers last year (especially offensively where they struggled mightily for USC standards) and their sub-par defensive stats, and you've got the classic case of over-hyped team! The only reason that I am ranking them this high is that yes they are USC, and yes they have talent, especially at running back. If they can utilize their running backs' talent, get Matt Barkley to start throwing to his teammates and improve upon what is likely to be the worst SC defense of the last ten years, they have a chance to even be #1 in the Pac-10 next year. But any injuries become truly perilous, because their two-deep is just slathered with freshmen.

Ross (Prediction: #3): The bottom is going to drop out soon enough, but in the meantime they still have quite a bit of talent in the two-deeps and the ability to play the "us against the world" card while it's still fresh.  On the other hand, Kiffin's track record as a HC isn't exactly great, they have a few tricky road games (@ Stanford, @ Oregon State), and this team will have a lot of distractions to try and overcome. 

Washington Huskies

Chris (Prediction: #5): Despite not buying into the Jake Locker is the best quarterback in America circus (he's very good, but at least on the college level he's a poor man's Tebow...which pains me to say), it is impossible to ignore the offensive firepower they return. Add in what should be an improved defense, and you've got a team destined to finish in the top half of the conference.

Ross (Prediction: #7): The Huskies have a lot back on both sides of the ball (10 on offense, 8 on defense), good coaching, and made a lot of progress last year.  A higher finish certainly wouldn't be a big surprise; I'm holding off until I see them win a few more games and prove that they can get over the hump.  They're right on the cusp, though. 

Washington State Cougars

Chris (Prediction: #10): Not very many people know how bad the Cougars were last year, because in an improved Pac-10 there was plenty of good to focus in on...which left the magnifying glass off the Cougars at the bottom. Not only did they not win a Pac-10 game, going 0-9, the Cougars failed to score 20 points on any team not named SMU...which represented their one win on the season. The Cougars ranked last in the Pac-10 in every major offensive and defensive category, and save passing offense (which ranked 100th nationally), they finished every major offensive or defensive category ranked below 115. The team brings back 11 starters total. A total which doesn't include their leading passer, rusher, or a returning punter or kicker. You can look at that one of two ways...the first, it's a lot of new blood that can possibly improve upon their dismal showing from a year ago. The second way...it's going to be an even rougher season in the basement of the Pac-10. I tend to side with the second one.

Ross (Prediction: #10): Someday they'll be good again.  Probably.  Maybe.  In any event, it ain't happening this year.  Their goal should be getting their average margin of defeat under 30 ppg -- then they can start thinking about inching towards respectability again.

CFBZ Predicted Pac-10 Finish
1. Oregon Ducks
2. Oregon State Beavers
3. USC Trojans
4. Stanford Cardinal
5. Washington Huskies
6. Arizona Wildcats
7. California Golden Bears
8. UCLA Bruins
9. Arizona State Wildcats
10. Washington State Cougars

Pre-Season Preview: UCLA Bruins

2009 Record: 7-6 (3-6 in Pac-10)
2009 Bowl: EagleBank Bowl (beat to Temple 30-21)
Final 2009 AP Ranking: Not Ranked
Head Coach: Mike Riley (11-14 at UCLA, 77-44 All-Time)
Non-Conference Schedule: at Kansas State (9/4), Houston (9/18), at Texas (9/25)

2009 Offensive Statistics
Scoring: 22.0 points per game (9th in Pac-10)
Rushing Yards/Game: 114 (9th in Pac-10)
Passing Yards/Game: 222 (4th in Pac-10)
Total Yards/Game: 337 (8th in Pac-10)

2009 Defensive Statistics
Scoring: 21.2 points per game (3rd in Pac-10)
Rushing Yards/Game: 142 (8th in Pac-10)
Passing Yards/Game: 191 (2nd in Pac-10)
Total Yards/Game: 334 (3rd in Pac-10)

2009 Misc Stats
Turnover Margin: +0.46 per game (1st in Pac-10)
Penalties: 54 yards per game (4th in Pac-10)

Returning Starters
Offense: 7
Defense: 5
Kicker/Punter: 2

Top Returning Statistical Leaders
Passing: QB Kevin Prince, Soph (173 of 308 for 2050 yds, 8 TD, 8 INT, 186 ypg)
Rushing: RB Johnathan Franklin, Soph (126 carries for 566 yds, 5 TD, 4.4 ypc, 43 ypg)
Receiving: WR Nathan Rosario, Jr (42 rec, 723 yds, 2 TD, 3.5 rec/game, 17.2 ypc)
Receiving: WR Taylor Embree, Jr (45 rec, 608 yds, 2 TD, 2.5 rec/game, 13.5 ypc)
Tackles: LB Akeem Ayers, Jr (73); SS Tony Dye, Jr (73)
Sacks: LB Akeem Ayers, Jr (5)
Interceptions: FS Rahim Moore, Jr (10

2010 Pre-Season Rankings
Athlon Sports: #56
Pre-Snap Read: #40
Sporting News: #46

2010 Pre-Season Pac-10 Prediction:
Athlon Sports: #8
Phil Steele: #8

Last year was a year of streaks for UCLA. They started off with three straight out of conference wins against San Diego State, Tennessee, and Kansas State. After that they promptly dropped their first 5 conference games and then won 3 before falling to USC in their Pac-10 finale. This year, UCLA's offense should be ready to break-out but they also face a tough out of conference schedule as they go to Kansas State and Texas and play Houston at home. We reached out to the pro-UCLA and anti-USC blog The Trojan-Haters Club to find out their thoughts on the 2010 UCLA Bruins.


What are the biggest strengths and biggest weaknesses of the Bruins this year?

Let’s start with the most obvious weakness – the Offensive Line. As it has been for a few years now, the depth, and level of experience, of the OL is still weak, even by Pac-10 standards. Due to a Mormon Mission, a career-ending injury, and an academic casualty, the Bruins are already down to what basically should have been their Second String Line. Partially to compensate for this glaring weakness, the Bruins are changing to a different style Offense, called the “Revolver,” which adds more misdirection and QB Keepers, to keep the Defense from being able to so easily exploit their control of the trenches.

This brings us to the Bruins’ STRENGTH – Unparalleled Offensive Coordinator Norm Chow. Despite two years of horrendous results (due to lack of talent), Chow is still nationally respected. He now has more athleticism at the skill positions, so the Bruins will score more than in the recent past, despite a particularly tough schedule this season. The treacherous schedule could actually be considered another “weakness.”

Having the Country’s Best Offensive Coordinator – who hasn’t gotten it done for the last two years – may not seem like much of a strength, but the next choice was going to be “Best Home Uniforms.” Actually, the other undeniable strength this year is the Kicking Game. Reigning Lou Groza winner Kai Forbath returns, and will re-write the Record Book at UCLA, and maybe at the NCAA as well. He led the Nation in Field Goals last year, and has made 37 straight inside 50 yards. Punter Jeff Locke, a Ray Guy nominee, and All-American Long Snapper Christian Yount round out the #1 Kicking Game in the Country.

Of course, if Chow’s Offense improves as expected, a lot of the Punts and Field Goals will be replaced by Touchdowns.

UCLA has an early game against Texas. What do you hope to learn about UCLA in this game and what do you view as a successful outing?

Hopefully, the Longhorns will have long forgotten the 66-3 thrashing from several years ago, and NOT return the favor. The Bruins will be playing in only their second road game, and fourth game of the season, with a new Offense. Hopefully, the Bruins will be able to overcome the superior physicality, and shorten the game with unpredictably innovative play-calling. If they are still in the game in the 4th quarter, they will be able to come home without hanging their heads. HOWEVER, a “successful outing” means a VICTORY. There is no such thing as a “successful loss” in a non-exhibition game.

What we will learn about UCLA is how they handle noise, pressure, and adversity. If the Bruins fall behind early, will they be able to switch away from a Rushing Offense, to air it out, in an attempt to come back? Or will the Coaching Staff stay conservative, and continue to shorten the game, just to avoid a 66-3-type game? And will the players run out of gas physically, in the Texas heat? And what about emotionally? Will they pack it in if they go down by three TD’s on the Road?

Besides playing Texas out of conference, UCLA also has games with Kansas State and Houston. How do you feel the Bruins match up with these teams?

Kansas State is the first game with the new Offense, and it’s on the Road. There are going to be bugs to work out of the system, and it might look ugly for a while. Houston is the third game of the year, and it’s at the Rose Bowl, where the Bruins perennially perform markedly better. The Revolver should be functional by then, and it will have to be, to keep up with Houston’s high-powered offense. UCLA is considered to be in the same ballpark as KSU and Houston in terms of overall talent, so it will come down to Execution, Motivation, and Home Field Advantage.

What team on the schedule do you want to beat the most?

Is this a trick question? Here at BeatSC.com, and in a vast majority of the Bruin World, BEATING U$C is ALL that matters. The trOJans are so arrogant, even in the face of their recently-received NCAA sanctions, that it is imperative for UCLA to win the annual battle of the crosstown rivals. The Bruins have only ONE archrival, and it is usc.

And now that the sleazy Lane Kiffin is the Head Coach, a lot of people around the Country – especially in Tennessee – will be rooting for the Bruins too.

By the way: At last check, usc still honors double-murderer O.J. Simpson with a giant jersey, in the Coliseum, and as far as the sanctions, they still insist that they did nothing wrong. Such low class and denial needs to be dealt with, on the field.

Who is the best player on your team that nobody talks about?

Defensive End Datone Jones, who, this Season, should triple his last year Sack total of 4. Also, honorable mentions to D-Back Tony Dye, who has been solid but not spectacular; and Sean Westgate, who has made some huge heads-up plays, but will now be asked to fill a much bigger role.

Who is the best player on the team?

Does Kai Forbath count? In terms of being the Best at what he does, Forbath can’t be topped. But for those of you who don’t think Kickers are really Players, Akeem Ayers might be the Man. Ayers had 6 Sacks and made 75 tackles last season as a Sophomore, and became much talked-about, after making two super-athletic, leaping Interceptions.

The other choice would be Junior Safety Rahim Moore, who led the NCAA last Season with 10 Interceptions. That total was the highest in the Country IN SIX YEARS. Opposing Quarterbacks will be throwing AWAY from Moore all year. Hopefully, that won’t lead to a decline in his production, as it did for usc’s Taylor Mays.

I am not picking anyone from the Offense, as no one has truly PROVEN their greatness on the field, yet.

What player(s) needs to step up this year in order for the team to reach it's full capability?

The entire Offensive Line. The Bruins can’t score, hold onto the ball, or shorten games against superior opposition, if they can’t BLOCK. The Revolver is designed to maximize production based on not dominating the front line, but if the undermanned and outsized Bruin OL doesn’t know their assignments thoroughly, the Offense will not be able to sustain a drive.

If the OL steps up, then it will be up to Quarterback Kevin Prince. He will have to show unfailing leadership, as well as a mastery of the Revolver. He has some raw talent and is tough as nails, but it is his toughness that may be his curse. The Revolver is likely to see Prince running the ball a lot, and if he doesn’t learn how to AVOID a straight-on, bone-bruising hit, he won’t last the Season.

Who are the top newcomers that can make an impact this year?

The Bruins have several heralded Freshmen who are expected to contribute immediately, including three who probably envision themselves as the team’s leading rusher this year – Jordon James, Malcolm Jones, and Anthony Barr. But better bets to have immediate impact are two TRANSFERS – Wide Receiver Josh Smith from Colorado, and Tight End Joseph Fauria from Notre Dame. Smith, assuming his knee is healthy in the Fall, could be a game-breaker, as his Buffalo numbers suggest. In his seasons at CU, he had 52 Receptions, and big Return stats as well. Fauria is an imposing specimen, and an intelligent player, who has a history with Kevin Prince, and could turn out to be Prince’s favorite target this year.

Who is your pick to take the Pac-10 this year (you can't pick UCLA) and are there any teams flying under the radar that might be able to make a run at the Pac-10 championship?

One thing’s for sure – usc will not be representing the Conference in the Postseason this year. Even with all the defections, Lane Kiffin — a mediocre Head Coach at best — still has more talent on his roster than anyone else. But usc’s ban leaves Oregon in the driver’s seat to play in the Rose Bowl Game, even without dynamic stoner QB Jeremiah Masoli. The Ducks seemed like the Class of the Pac-10 last season.

If Oregon falters, or if much more of their roster gets arrested or suspended, that would leave the door open for Jim Harbaugh’s Stanford Cardinal, as well as for Washington and Oregon State.

Who is the one player on an opposing team that strikes the most fear in your heart?

The Huskies’ QB Jake Locker is a Cade McNown-type, who has a will to win, and can lift his team to victories against superior opponents. Stanford’s Quarterback Andrew Luck is also a difference-maker. Finally, the Rodgers Brothers are a one-two punch that will give the Beavers a damn good shot at the Pac-10 Title.

Gut feeling on the teams final record at the end of the regular season and what makes this a successful season in your eyes?

Given the slightly tougher-than-usual schedule and the troubling personnel issues, a WINNING RECORD and a Bowl Victory is what I expect. It would constitute a decent Season, AS LONG AS ONE OF THE “W’s” IS AGAINST U$C. There is no such thing as a “successful” season, if it includes a loss to the hated rival. In 2005, the Bruins won 10 games but lost to sc, badly. That year is NOT a fond memory, overall. However, in ’06, the Bruins had a lackluster record, but BEAT $C 13-9, knocking them out of the BCS Title Game. Now THAT is a good year.


Previous Pac-10 Previews:
Arizona State Sun Devils 
California Golden Bears
Oregon Ducks
Oregon State Beavers
Stanford Cardinal
USC Trojans
Washington Huskies
Washington State Cougars

Next Up: Arizona Wildcats

Previous Pre-Season Previews
ACC- Boston College Eagles, Duke Blue Devils, Florida State Seminoles, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, Maryland Terrapins, Virginia Cavaliers, Virginia Tech Hokies, Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Big 12- Iowa State Cyclones, Kansas Jayhawks, Kansas State Wildcats, Missouri Tigers, Oklahoma Sooners, Oklahoma State Cowboys, Texas Longhorns, Texas Tech Red Raiders
Big East- Cincinnati Bearcats, Pittsburgh Panthers, Rutgers Scarlet Knights, Syracuse Orange, UConn Huskies, USF Bulls, West Virginia Mountaineers
Big Ten- Illinois Fighting Illini, Michigan Wolverines, Minnesota Golden Gophers, Northwestern Wildcats, Ohio State Buckeyes, Purdue Boilermakers
C-USA- Houston Cougars,  SMU Mustangs, Southern Miss Golden Eagles, Tulane Green Wave, UTEP Miners
Independent- Army Black Knights, Navy Midshipmen, Notre Dame Fighting Irish 
MAC- Ball State Cardinals, Bowling Green Falcons, Buffalo Bulls, Central Michigan Chippewas, Temple Owls, Toledo Rockets
MWC- BYU Cougars,  Colorado State Rams, UNLV Rebels, Utah Utes
SEC- Auburn Tigers, Georgia Bulldogs, Kentucky Wildcats, LSU Tigers, Mississippi Rebels, South Carolina Gamecocks, Vanderbilt Commodores
Sun Belt- FIU Golden Panthers, North Texas Mean Green, Troy Trojans
WAC- Boise State Broncos, Fresno State Bulldogs, Louisiana Tech Bulldogs, New Mexico State Aggies