1) The Gauntlet Has Been Thrown - Stanford coach David Shaw must have had enough of all that pre-season talk about the Pac-12 being a two-horse race between USC and Oregon. After a shaky start against San Jose State, the Cardinal have now put together two good games. And they've already taken down the Trojans; they travel to Eugene on Nov. 17. Circle it in red.
2) The South Could be Competitive - After last year's embarrassment of having 6-6 UCLA represent in the South in the inaugural Pac-12 Championship game, most pundits were looking forward to having USC reclaim its rightful spot as conference powerhouse. But that road has just gotten a lot more complicated: UCLA and Arizona are both off to hot starts, with wins over ranked opponents, and Arizona State and Utah can play with anyone, when they so choose to. The Trojans, now behind in the standings, have to travel to Utah, Arizona, and UCLA. That schedule looks a lot tougher than it did a month ago.
3) 'SC may have real problems - Despite having one of the best QB's in the nation and the most talented receiving corps, USC's thinness in the trenches proved to be its downfall against Stanford. Without starting center Khaled Holmes, Matt Barkley was harried into 2 INTS and 4 sacks. Stanford probably has the best defensive line in the Pac-12, but the Ducks have the speed on defense to cause USC similar problems. Also, Alabama would eat them.
4) Pac-12 Football is Fun - I watched the first halves of both Alabama-Arkansas and USC-Stanford on Saturday. I missed the second half of USC-Stanford because I went to a party with drinking and chicken wings and karaoke. I missed the second half of Alabama-Arkansas because I took a nap. The SEC may be the best conference in football, but God, does it make for terrible television.
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