Many analysts and coaches across the country believe the USC Trojans may have done wonders for the Pac-10.

Not only did the conference gain some much needed national respect back after Southern California pounced Penn State at the Kickoff Classic on Sunday 29-5, the Trojans may have solidified their place as the new conference favorite.

	Sultan McCullough's 128 yards in USC's win over Penn State helped the Trojans gain some respect.

And the pollsters have noticed.

USC, who was picked second in the conference by the media on Aug. 3, jumped three spots to No. 13 in the ESPN/USA Today coaches' poll. Despite the victory, the players aren't seeing anything that resembles roses just yet.

"We haven't played anyone in the conference yet, but we look pretty good," senior fullback Petros Papadakis said. "There really is no favorite in the Pac-10 until Week 4 because the Pac-10 teams tend to really beat each other up."

For the Trojans, it also means they may be well on their way back elite status in college football.

"That's our goal," Papadakis said. "It's a long way off. We have to take it one play, one practice and one goal at a time. But the ultimate goal is to get respect back to the university. If there was ever a year to do it, this is the year."

The Trojans now have a bye-week to think about their next opponent, No. 25 Colorado, who will travel to Los Angeles for a Sept. 9 contest.

"It's such a big win that you always want to take some time to think about it, but we have to stay hungry for Colorado, because they're no punk either," Papadakis said.

A total of eight Pac-10 teams received votes in the latest poll, with USC and Washington (No. 15) gaining top 25 status. UCLA, Oregon, Stanford, Oregon State, Arizona and Arizona State were the others recognized.

Other conference teams will get a chance to follow in USC's footsteps this weekend, highlighted by UCLA's matchup with third-ranked Alabama.

"I think it may be too early to tell if the conference is 'back'. But any of those kinds of things we can have happen help all of us," ASU head coach Bruce Snyder said.

Around the Pac-10
Arizona: Coach Dick Tomey said Tuesday that it is unlikely senior receiver Brad Brennan will be able to play at Utah on Saturday in the season-opener. ... Tomey also said that he doesn't think the altitude in Salt Lake City, which is approximately 5,200 feet above sea level, will be much of a problem for the Wildcats. The Wildcats travel to Douglas, Ariz. for their fall Camp Cochise, where the altitude is approximately 4,300 feet. "They (the players) are going to be a little breathless," Tomey said. "But the altitude isn't that hard." ... The game versus Utah marks a reunion for Tomey and his first offensive line coach at Arizona, Ron McBride. McBride spent two seasons in Tucson, from 1987-89, before moving on to coach Utah, where he is 71-46 overall.

Arizona State: Junior running back Davaren Hightower is under the weather and hasn't been able to practice. "Davaren has a virus of some sort. He did not scrimmage Thursday night, did not get any work on Friday, was sick during fan photo day on Saturday, and he really didn't practice (Sunday) either," Snyder said. ... Snyder also said he is interested in seeing how redshirt freshman QB Jeff Krohn, the starter for the season-opener at San Diego State on Thursday, handles the pressure. "Jeff Krohn has been named the starter, and he is going to be the most interesting guy for me to watch in terms of leading up to the game and the first couple of series just to see how nervous or not nervous he happens to be," he said.

Cal: Receiver Chad Heydorff pulled a hamstring last Saturday. He expects to be back practicing the first week of September and hopes to be available for the season-opener against Utah on Sept. 9. ... The Bears are the only conference team with a bye the first week of the season. They follow the bye with 11 games in 11 weeks.

Oregon: University of Tennessee transfer tailback Onterrio Smith, who arrived last Wednesday, sprinted 18 yards the first time he touched the football. Smith, who in ineligible to play for the Ducks this season, finished with 24 yards on four carries in a scrimmage on Aug. 25. ... Senior WR Ray Brust's recurring knee injury has forced him to end his collegiate football career, coach Mike Bellotti announced Tuesday. Brust missed the entire 1998 season with a knee injury and underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee this summer.

Oregon State: Junior QB Jonathan Smith was near perfect last Friday directing the No. 1 offense to three touchdowns in the five series opportunities. ... The Beavers will open the season Saturday at home against Eastern Washington under newfound pressure as a team on the rise in the Pac-10. Coach Dennis Erickson led the team to its first winning season in 29 years with a 7-5 overall record last year. ... OSU will also defend its 10 game non-conference winning streak.

Stanford: Coach Tyrone Willingham said he has been impressed with new starting QB Randy Fasani, who will make his collegiate debut at Washington State. "Based on what I have seen thus far, I think Randy will do very well," he said. "At some point, I think he will get rid of those first nervous moments and really hopefully settle in and play an outstanding football game for us." ... Stanford has won nine of its last 10 conference games. ... The winning team in the Stanford-WSU series has scored 30 points or more in 16 of the past 17 games. The Cardinal won 54-17 at home last year.

UCLA: Linebackers Ryan Nece and Robert Thomas were listed among the 70 candidates for the 2000 Butkus Award. "It's an honor, but that's out of 70 linebackers," Thomas said after practice Tuesday. "I'd say it's motivation coming into the season because I will be watched more closely." ... The Bruins, coming off one of their worst seasons ever after finishing 4-7, won't have much time to ease their way back as they open the season against No. 3 Alabama at the Rose Bowl Saturday, in a game that will be televised nationally by ABC at 3 p.m.(EST). "It's awesome to be playing the No. 3 team in the country," Thomas said. "Personally, I have been watching film and just getting ready. This is probably the most ready I have ever been for a game." ... The game vs. Alabama marks the first time the Bruins will play a team ranked third or higher at home since Nov. 19, 1988 when they hosted No. 2 USC. ... UCLA assistant coach Bob Field began his coaching career at Alabama under Bear Bryant in 1971-72.

USC: Papadakis said that the Trojans are relatively unscathed in the injury department following the victory over Penn State. ... He also said the week off before Colorado is good because it lets USC watch Colorado's game Saturday against Colorado State. "We get to watch them so we don't have to go in blind like we did against Penn State."

Washington: The 15th-ranked Huskies will open the season at home for the first time since 1995 Saturday against Idaho. ... UW is 29-2-2 lifetime against Idaho, dating back to Nov. 21, 1900, a game the Vandals won 12-6. Washington has gone 26-0-2 since Oct. 30, 1905. ... UW offensive coordinator Keith Gilbertson is the former head coach of the Vandals (1986-88). In terms of winning percentage, he is the winningest coach in Idaho history with a .757 mark (28-9). UW defensive coordinator Tim Hundley also spent three seasons at Idaho (1977-79).

Washington State: The Cougars and Stanford are the only two conference teams opening the season in league play. ... The last time Wazzu beat Stanford at home was in 1997, the same year Ryan Leaf led the Cougars to the Rose Bowl. ... WSU will unveil the new Field Turf Saturday at Martin Stadium. The only other programs with similar turf are Nebraska and Washington. ... Senior cornerback Lamont Thompson has yet to see time in practice this fall due to a sore neck.