The PAC is BACK!
September 5, 2007 by bcsbusters
PAC-10 Football, PAC-10 Football, PAC-10 Football, PAC-10 Football, PAC-10 Football, PAC-10 Football!
Late in the game against Tennessee, as Vol Nation was filing out of the stadium, you could hear the chant grow. California’s victory over highly regarded Tennessee was about to become history and the Bears elation in Strawberry Canyon could be heard on national television.
The PAC has battled a negative perception in recent years that it is a soft conference as it is considered around the country as USC and the nine dwarfs. While the Big-East was busy during the opening campaign drilling Division I-AA fodder (now known as the “Championship Playoff Division”), the PAC-10 has strengthened its image due to tough non-conference scheduling. Although the ACC could lay claim to the toughest schedule for the upcoming week,
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the PAC isn’t far behind as it has a rather daunting task themselves. Oregon may find a rather dire and hostile environment in Ann Arbor this week, due to Appalachian State’s monumental upset last week to open the season. The Ducks better bring their adrenaline kits because they are walking into a hornets nest. The Beavers take on Cincinnati and after their trip East a couple of seasons ago against Louisville, I hope they change the itinerary.
Other key match-ups include BYU - UCLA, Boise State - Washington, California - Colorado State and Arizona State - Colorado. The PAC-10 has played five BCS conference teams, the two mid-majors who cracked the BCS party (Boise and Utah) and up-and-coming programs like Houston, Colorado State and BYU. BYU was an alliance Bowl team in 1996, winning the Cotton Bowl that year against Texas A&M. Although there are some sweet match-ups involving the Big-12 on Saturday as well, you can no longer say the PAC-10 is playing a soft non-conference schedule. So far - after two weeks, it looks to be the toughest thus far across the country. A key point to remember, however, is the PAC needs to win this weekend, after going 6-2 last weekend, or they will waste this opportunity to earn some much needed respect after the Golden weekend last week in Berkley.
Saturday, September 8 - 2007 (Week #2)
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Week #2 Match-Ups |
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 00 (0-0) (1-0) Last: W - Houston (48 - 27) (Game Recap) |
@ |  00  (0-0) (0-1) Last: L - Appy St (34 - 32) (Game Recap) Next: Notre Dame 9/15 |
 03(0-0) (1-1) (Game Recap) Last: W - Utah (24 - 7) (Game Recap) |
@ |  34  (0-0) (2-0) Last: W - SE Miss. St (59 - 3) (Game Recap) Next: @ Miami (Oh0 9/15 |
 00(0-0) (1-0) Last: W - Syracuse (42 -12) (Game Recap) Next: Ohio State 9/15 |
VS |  00  (0-0) (1-0) Last: W - Weber St. (56 - 7) (Game Recap) Next: Wyoming 9/15 |
 00(0-0) (0-1) Last: L - Wisconsin (42 - 21) (Game Recap) |
VS |  00  (0-0) (0-0)
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 00(0-0) (0-1) Last: W - Idaho (38 - 10) (Game Recap) Next: @ Nebraska 9/15 |
VS | Idle |
 00(1-0) (1-0) Last: W - Stanford (45 - 17) (Game Recap) Next: @ Utah 9/15 |
VS |
Next: @ Tulsa 9/15 |
 00(0-0) (1-0) Last: W - Tennessee (44 - 31) (Game Recap) Next: Louisian Tech 9/15 |
@ |  00 (0-0) (0-1) Last: L - Colorado (31 - 28)OT (Game Recap) Next: @ Houston 9/22 |
 00(0-0) (1-0) Last: L - UCLA (45 - 17) (Game Recap) Next: San Jose State 9/22 |
Idle |
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 00(0-0) (1-0) Last: W - Ea. Mich (27 - 03) (Game Recap) |
VS | N. Arizona 00 (0-0) (1-0) Last: W - W. N. Mexico (47-0)
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 00(0-0) (1-0) Last: W - SJSU (45 - 03) (Game Recap) |
VS | (0-0) (1-0) Last: W - Colorado St.(31 - 2  (Game Recap) Next: Florida State 9/15 |
| DI-AA Bone-Yard |
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| BCS Bone-Yard |
(2-1) |   |
| Non-BCS Bone-Yard |
(4-1) |
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| Who Defeated the The PAC-10? |
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Cal played a great game, but also gave up 382 yards and 31 points at home. The Pac 10 had a great weekend, but it was just 1-1 against ranked competition. It’s a little early in the season to go ranking conferences yet.
Agreed, but it’s not like they played Arkansas State either. I am merely pointing out that the PAC-10 has very good schedule strength this year as compared to the Big-East, Big-10 and ACC.