Note: Teams ranked in predicted order of finish
1. SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA — A trio of potential NFL linebackers leads a defense that might be best in country. OLBs Brian Cushing and Keith Rivers and ILB Rey Maulaluga could all be All-Americans ... Trojans have tricky road schedule with games at Nebraska, Notre Dame, Oregon, Cal and Arizona State ... Looking for the next Reggie Bush? Freshman TB Joe McKnight might be it.
2. CALIFORNIA — All-American DeSean Jackson has returned five punts for TDs in his career ... TB Justin Forsett, who ran for 626 yards as Marshawn Lynch's backup last season, becomes the starter ... Pass defense ranked 103rd in the nation last season and must replace CB Daymeion Hughes.
3. UCLA — Remember the defense that shut down USC in the final regular-season game and kept the Trojans from playing for a national title? Well, 10 starters from the defense are back, led by DE Bruce Davis and LB Christian Taylor ... New offensive coordinator is Jay Norvell, who held that same job at Nebraska.
4. OREGON STATE — No returning starter at QB here. Left-hander Sean Canfield takes over for Matt Moore. Canfield was 28-for-45 for 335 yards last season ... Canfield has one of the top backs — if not so well-known — in the country in Yvenson Bernard.
5. OREGON — Lots of talk about who's playing quarterback, but if RB Jonathan Stewart stays healthy, he'll be the Ducks' best offensive weapon. The 240-pounder has scored 20 touchdowns in two seasons ... Ended last season with four straight losses.
6. ARIZONA STATE — QB Rudy Carpenter had an erratic sophomore season after a brilliant freshman year. He passed for 2,523 yards and 23 touchdowns but had low efficiency rating of 133.68 ... RB Ryan Torain is another under-the-radar star. He ran for 1,229 last year.
7. ARIZONA — Coach Mike Stoops has shown some signs of getting the Wildcats going in the right direction, but he's still just 12-22 in three season in Tucson ... CBs Antoine Cason and Wilfrey Fontenot might be the top duo in the league.
8. WASHINGTON — Coach Tyrone Willingham appeared to have the Huskies ahead of schedule early last season. But QB Isaiah Stanback's injury ruined the season and Washington lost six straight games ... Schedule is brutal with home games against Boise State and Ohio State.
9. WASHINGTON STATE — The Cougars will be breaking in two new cornerbacks, scary stuff in a league with so many good passers ... Slotback Michael Bumpus (60 catches) and WR Brandon Gibson (49 catches) give Brink two reliable targets.
10. STANFORD — Coach Jim Harbaugh has already made headlines, first saying Pete Carroll would be leaving USC after this season and then by calling the Trojans potentially the greatest team ever ... Not much else noteworthy about a team coming off a winless season.
Deseret Morning News power ranking: 2
Deseret Morning News pick: USC
3 players to watch: John David Booty, QB, USC; Nate Longshore, QB, Cal; Alex Brink, QB, Washington State
3 games to watch: Cal at UCLA (Oct. 20), USC at Cal (Nov. 10), UCLA at USC (Dec. 1)