If not for Oregon's improbable comeback win in the final seconds against USC, there would have been a five-way tie for the conference crown last year. What else is new? The Pac-10 has been the poster child for parity with nine different schools playing in a major bowl over the last nine seasons. Once again, the race is wide open.

Arizona Wildcats

2001 overall record: 5-6
Conference record: 2-6

Returning starters
Offense: 9
Defense: 6
Specialists: 2

2001 statistical leaders (* - returners)
Rushing: Clarence Farmer* (1,229 yds)
Passing: Jason Johnson* (2,347 yds)
Receiving: Bobby Wade* (882 yds)
Tackles: Lance Briggs* (93)
Sacks: Lance Briggs* (6.5)
Interceptions: Michael Jolivette* (5)

What's new
Departed running backs coach Bobby Kennedy was replaced with a defensive assistant, now giving the Wildcats five coaches on that side of the ball. This has helped the process of implementing several modifications to the Double-Eagle Flex defense that will allow Arizona to utilize its depth in special situations. After allowing too many big plays last season, the 'Cats especially need to increase the pressure on opposing quarterbacks. The sack leader was inside linebacker Lance Briggs, which means the defensive line must step up.

Battling it out
At the corner opposite of Michael Jolivette, there are three candidates for the starting job. Senior David Hinton is the most experienced, playing in every game last season and starting on occasion in 2000. Redshirt freshman Darrell Brooks has also looked good and is listed at No. 2 on the depth chart at both corners. Junior college transfer Luis Nunez has also placed himself in the mix in a short amount of time and will probably get playing time, as well, in the multiple DB packages.

Eye catcher: DE Andre Torrey
Like Nunez, Torrey also enrolled in January as a junior college transfer and made an immediate impact in spring drills. He is a pass-rushing end who meets a big need for the UA defense. He has pretty good size and great quickness, which he used to record four sacks in spring scrimmages. Torrey (6-4, 250) won one of the team's newcomer awards and will be counted on for a significant contribution this fall.

Budding star: QB Jason Johnson
Johnson saw his first action at QB as a junior last season and certainly experienced growing pains in the early part of the conference schedule. He started to show real progress in November, however, completing 58 percent of his passes and averaging 267 yards per game with seven TDs and only 2 interceptions over the final three games. Head coach John Mackovic says Johnson continued to show great growth and maturity this spring. With continued improvement, he could be one of the top quarterbacks in the conference in 2002.

Arizona State Sun Devils

2001 overall record: 4-7
Conference record: 1-7

Returning starters
Offense: 4
Defense: 8
Specialists: 1

2001 statistical leaders (* - returners) Rushing: Delvon Flowers (1,041 yds)
Passing: Jeff Krohn (1,942 yds)
Receiving: Shaun McDonald* (1,104 yds)
Tackles: Jason Shivers* (89)
Sacks: Terrell Suggs* (10)
Interceptions: 3 players tied with 2 each

What's new
ASU had four offensive linemen drafted by the NFL, and another signed as free agent. Regis Crawford is the only returning starter on the line, but he is being moved from right guard to left tackle. The other candidates for starting roles have very little playing experience between them, so it could take a while for Dirk Koetter's offense to get going this season.

Battling it out
The quarterback position may be as inexperienced as the offensive line. Redshirt freshman Chad Christensen has the best mobility of the bunch and was the most consistent in spring practice, giving him a slight edge going into the fall. He is being challenged by Andrew Walter, who made two starts and threw three TDs last season, and junior college transfer Andy Goodenough, who enrolled in January and is still learning the offense. If nobody steps up, new signee Kellen Bradley could join the battle in August.

Eye catcher: RB Hakim Hill
The latest from a distinguished football family, Hakim is the son of former ASU and NFL receiver J.D. Hill and has three older brothers who all played major college football. He redshirted last year as a freshman and made his presence felt on the scout team. He has great speed (Iowa high school state champion in 100 meters and the long jump) and power. Hill is battling Mike Williams for the starting tailback job, and both are hoping the young offensive line jells in a hurry.

Budding star: DB Jason Shivers
Shivers (6-1, 190) started the final nine games at free safety last year and became the first true freshman ever to lead ASU in tackles (89), including 51 solo stops. Like Hill, he has good size for his position and was a sprint champion in high school. Shivers continued to impress in spring practice and could be an all-conference caliber player this season.

California Golden Bears

2001 overall record: 1-10
Conference record: 0-8

Returning starters
Offense: 7
Defense: 9
Specialists: 2

2001 statistical leaders (* - returners)
Rushing: Terrell Williams* (688 yds)
Passing: Kyle Boller* (1,741 yds)
Receiving: Charon Arnold (606 yds)
Tackles: John Klotsche* (71)
Sacks: Tully Banta-Cain* (8)
Interceptions: Nnamdi Asomugha* (3)

What's new
Jeff Tedford, the offensive coordinator at Oregon over the last four years, takes over as head coach of the Bears and brings a new offensive system with him. Cal had been running variations of the West Coast offense since 1996, but Tedford has installed a passing game that involves more downfield looks and more utilization of the tight end. His primary focus, however, has been changing the attitude that has consumed the program after several years of futility.

Battling it out
The running back battle is interesting because it involves the leading rushers from the past three years. Joe Igber was the Bears' top ground gainer as a freshman and sophomore but broke his collarbone last season and will not resume contact drills until this fall. Terrell Williams took over for Igber and led the team with 688 yards last year as a freshman. Both were being challenged by junior Adimchinobe Echemaandu until he suffered a torn ACL late in spring practice. Highly-touted signee Marcus O'Keith could also enter the mix in August.

Eye catcher: LB Wendell Hunter
Hunter saw limited action on defense as a freshman last year, making six tackles (including one for loss). He has fit in pretty well with the new defensive scheme, however, and showed great improvement this spring. Hunter has a reputation as a big hitter but just needs to make plays more consistently. If he can improve in that area, he has a good chance to earn a starting job at one of the outside spots.

Budding star: QB Kyle Boller
Boller has struggled for most of his career (45 percent completions with more INTs than TDs), but his poor numbers can be partly attributed to inconsistencies around him in offensive scheme, pass catching and protection. He now looks like a new quarterback under Tedford, who is a former QB himself and has been a QB coach for most of his career. Tedford says Boller has strongest arm of any quarterback he's coached, which includes Trent Dilfer, Akili Smith and Joey Harrington. Boller has already been studying film of Harrington as a guideline for the new offense.

Oregon Ducks

2001 overall record: 11-1
Conference record: 7-1

Returning starters
Offense: 5
Defense: 6
Specialists: 2

2001 statistical leaders (* - returners)
Rushing: Onterrio Smith* (1,058 yds)
Passing: Joey Harrington (2,764 yds)
Receiving: Samie Parker* (748 yds)
Tackles: Wesley Mallard (111)
Sacks: Kevin Mitchell* (6)
Interceptions: Steve Smith (8)

What's new
The best home-field advantage in the Pac-10 has just gotten better. A recently-completed expansion project has added approximately 12,000 seats to the south side of Autzen Stadium, increasing capacity to about 54,000. Oregon has won 25 of its last 26 home games and will open the season there on Aug. 31 against Mississippi State.

Battling it out

	RB Onterrio Smith makes Oregon a dangerous team.

Someone must fill the giant shoes of Joey Harrington, and it is currently a two-man battle. Junior Jason Fife backed up Harrington last year and appeared in four games, completing 6 of 9 pass attempts. The other candidate is redshirt freshman Kellen Clemens, who probably has better scrambling ability, while Fife has the edge in arm strength and experience. Fife also had a great spring game (12-15, 217 yards, 4 TDs) and has a slight edge entering fall camp.

Eye catcher: DB Steven Moore
After losing a pair of all-conference caliber corners in Rashad Bauman and Steve Smith, the Ducks desperately needed to find some new talent there this spring. In stepped Moore, who played in every game as a backup last year and made nine tackles, three pass break-ups and forced a fumble. He was one of the real standouts of spring practice and has the coaches feeling more comfortable with the secondary entering the fall. Moore is a smaller corner in the Bauman mold who has shown promise with his man coverage skills.

Budding star: RB Onterrio Smith
Despite starting only one game and splitting time with Maurice Morris, Smith led the team in rushing with 1,058 yards and proved to be a true gamebreaker. At Washington State, he had 285 yards rushing and 342 all-purpose yards -- both breaking school records held by Bobby Moore (Ahmad Rashad). With Morris gone, Smith should get considerably more carries this season and has a chance to earn All-America honors.

Oregon State Beavers

2001 overall record: 5-6
Conference record: 3-5

Returning starters
Offense: 7
Defense: 8
Specialists: 2

2001 statistical leaders (* - returners)
Rushing: Ken Simonton (971 yds)
Passing: Jonathan Smith (2,427 yds)
Receiving: James Newson* (968 yds)
Tackles: Richard Seigler* (93)
Sacks: Noah Happe* (7)
Interceptions: Terrell Roberts* and Mitch Meeuwsen* (3 each)

What's new
The offensive backfield will have some new faces after the departure of the school's all-time leading rusher (Ken Simonton) and passer (Jonathan Smith). The replacements should be Steven Jackson, who had 390 rushing yards last season (including 119 vs. USC), and Derek Anderson, whom Dennis Erickson recently said has a chance to be the best he has ever coached.

Battling it out
Calvin Carlyle started at strong safety in 1999, 2000 and the first two games of last season before suffering a shoulder injury that required surgery. He was replaced by freshman Mitch Meeuwsen, who was moved to free safety this spring. Carlyle was held out of spring practice, though, and he'll have to regain his starting role. Two junior college signees -- Lawrence Turner and Brandon Catenese -- enrolled in January and vaulted to the top of the depth chart with impressive spring workouts.

Eye catcher: OL Matt Brock
Brock (6-2, 297) steps in for standout center Chris Gibson, who also preceded him at Roseburg High School. He saw very little action as a freshman behind Gibson last year, but coaches knew he had plenty of talent. Brock asserted himself in spring drills and proved to be one of the better offensive linemen on the team. There is little doubt he will be the starting center this fall.

Budding star: LB Richard Seigler
Seigler has been an impact performer for the Beavers over the last two seasons and should be in line for award recognition this year. He was the only freshman starter on the Fiesta Bowl team and earned second-team All-Pac-10 recognition last year after finishing third in the conference in tackles (93). He also has good pass coverage skills, which makes him a valuable commodity at middle linebacker.

Stanford Cardinal

2001 overall record: 9-3
Conference record: 6-2

Returning starters
Offense: 7
Defense: 2
Specialists: 1

2001 statistical leaders (* - returners)
Rushing: Brian Allen (899 yds)
Passing: Randy Fasani (1,479 yds)
Receiving: Luke Powell* (790 yds)
Tackles: Coy Wire (92)
Sacks: Matt Leonard* (4.5)
Interceptions: Tank Williams (5)

What's new

	Teyo Johnson gives Stanford a dangerous weapon at receiver.

After Tyrone Willingham left for Notre Dame, Stanford turned to Florida assistant offensive coordinator Buddy Teevens as its next head coach. He brings in eight new assistants and retains defensive line coach Dave Tipton. Though Stanford threw the ball well under Willingham, the offensive scheme has been changed to resemble that of Steve Spurrier, which will spread the field and use more receivers. Receiver Teyo Johnson described the change as "looking deep to short rather than short to deep."

Battling it out
The defense will also experience a strategical alteration, as the new staff will employ a more aggressive style of play. This starts with the defensive end positions, which have plenty of candidates. One end spot could go to junior Louis Hobson, who saw action last year but was hobbled by an injury in the spring and fell to third on the depth chart. Sophomore Will Svitek is listed at No. 1 there, just ahead of redshirt freshman Michael Lovelady.

Eye catcher: LB Michael Craven
Though still raw and unproven, the redshirt freshman has all the physical tools to be one of the best linebackers to come through Stanford. Craven (6-1, 220) was a highly-touted recruit with great strength and speed, and he displayed his potential on the practice field this spring. Because the Cardinal are replacing all three linebackers, Craven might need to play beyond his years to give the defense a needed boost. He is also a member of Stanford's nationally-ranked baseball team but worked solely on football during spring practice dates.

Budding star: WR Teyo Johnson
Johnson came to Stanford as a quarterback and redshirted at that position before converting to receiver near the end of last spring. With almost no experience at the position, he still shared Pac-10 Freshman of the Year honors with Reggie Williams of Washington. The 6-7 Johnson had 38 catches for 565 yards with seven TDs, not to mention the 5.8 points and 4.8 rebounds he also contributed to the basketball team. He then returned for spring football and was the leading receiver in the spring game with six catches for 83 yards and two TDs.

UCLA Bruins

2001 overall record: 7-4
Conference record: 4-4

Returning starters
Offense: 6
Defense: 5
Specialists: 2

2001 statistical leaders (* - returners)
Rushing: DeShaun Foster (1,109 yds)
Passing: Cory Paus* (1,740 yds)
Receiving: Tab Perry* (416 yds)
Tackles: Robert Thomas (111)
Sacks: Kenyon Coleman (8.5)
Interceptions: Matt Ware* (5)

What's new
In an attempt to get the four best defensive backs on the field, Matt Ware was given a look at free safety during spring drills. He proved to be equally talented at that position, which gives the coaches the flexibility to use him according to their needs. They may wait until seeing the incoming freshmen, however, before they make a final decision on where he will start this season. Ware also got some work at receiver during the spring and was even occasionally used as an option quarterback. He will play minor league baseball this summer in the Mariners organization.

Battling it out
The starting tailback job is still being contested by the same players who were there at the end of last year. Akil Harris (6-0, 203) and Manuel White, Jr. (6-3, 241) filled in for the suspended DeShaun Foster for the final three games, but neither was spectacular. Harris started twice and had 375 yards and three touchdowns on the season. White started one time and finished the year with 290 yards and three TDs. Both will likely see game action and could play at the same time since White can also play fullback.

Eye catcher: DB Matt Clark
Clark was one of only three true freshmen to play for the Bruins last year and saw most of his action on special teams. He pleased the coaching staff with a productive spring at cornerback, showing good quickness and speed. He is also a candidate for kickoff return duties. Clark is battling with senior Joe Hunter at the corner opposite of Ricky Manning. His continued development helps the chances that Ware could remain at safety.

Budding star: DT Rodney Leisle
The junior has started every game the last two years but has been somewhat overshadowed by Kenyon Coleman, Ken Kocher and Anthony Fletcher. Even still, he was recognized as second-team All-Pac-10 last season after making 36 tackles -- five for loss -- with two sacks. Leisle (6-4, 298) has great strength and a motor that is always running. With two new starters on the defensive line, look for him to assert himself this season and perform at an All-America level.

USC Trojans

2001 overall record: 6-6
Conference record: 5-3

Returning starters
Offense: 8
Defense: 5
Specialists: 1

2001 statistical leaders (* - returners)
Rushing: Sultan McCullough* (410 yds)
Passing: Carson Palmer* (2,717 yds)
Receiving: Kareem Kelly* (801 yds)
Tackles: Troy Polamalu* (118)
Sacks: Lonnie Ford (7)
Interceptions: Troy Polamalu* and Kevin Arbet* (3 each)

What's new
What's new is also what's old. USC will take a page from the glory days and make its first major uniform change since the early '70s. The jerseys sport a single crescent stripe on the shoulder with numbers on the sleeve -- the same look as when the Trojans won two national titles and played in five Rose Bowls in the '60s under John McKay. Fans hope the jerseys will be bring half as much success this time around.

Battling it out
Southern California native Justin Fargas transferred from Michigan a year ago and is now eligible to play, giving fellow senior Sultan McCullough a run for his money. McCullough missed the second half of last season with an abdominal strain that required surgery, but he returned for spring practice and looked back in form. That's a good thing for him because Fargas turned many heads in the spring and has a slight edge going into fall workouts.

Eye catcher: LB Melvin Simmons
Fargas was not the only transfer who caught the attention of the coaches this spring. Simmons was equally impressive on the defensive side and emerged as the starter at weakside linebacker. He sat out last season after coming from Washington State, where he started 10 games in 2000 and made 59 tackles with four sacks. He will join returning starters Mike Pollard and Matt Grootegoed to give the Trojans a solid linebacking corps.

Budding star: DT Shaun Cody
Cody began his true freshman season at defensive end and then started the final eight games at tackle. He finished with 39 tackles, seven tackles for loss and five sacks to earn first-team freshman All-America honors. Cody (6-5, 275) uses his quickness and leverage inside to spend much of each game in the opponent's backfield. He is expected to be one of the top defensive linemen in the Pac-10.

Washington Huskies

2001 overall record: 8-4
Conference record: 6-2

Returning starters
Offense: 8
Defense: 5
Specialists: 2

2001 statistical leaders (* - returners)
Rushing: Willie Hurst (607 yds)
Passing: Cody Pickett* (2,403 yds)
Receiving: Reggie Williams* (973 yds)
Tackles: Ben Mahdavi* (85)
Sacks: Ben Mahdavi* (5)
Interceptions: Roc Alexander* (4)

	Despite the loss, Cody Pickett showed he can help Washington contend in the Pac-10.

What's new
Bobby Kennedy is in his first year as wide receivers coach -- the first time in three years a full-time coach has handled that position. Graduate assistants have coached the wideouts the previous two seasons, but there is now a special need to cultivate the talents of Reggie Williams -- one of the best young players in college football at any position.

Battling it out
With the departure of Willie Hurst, there is a serious battle ensuing at tailback. Rich Alexis set a UW freshman rushing record (726 yards) two years ago but was not as impressive last year (391 yards). He is being challenged by Braxton Clemen, who missed most of last season after suffering a broken collarbone in the second game of the year. Clemen might have a little bit more versatility and quickness, but Alexis has a good burst for straight-ahead running.

Eye catcher: LB Joseph Lobendahn
Lobendahn appeared in all 11 games last year with a lot of special teams action, recording a total of eight tackles. He was one of only four true freshmen to play for the Huskies last season. But with Ben Mahdavi being held out of contact for the spring, Lobendahn saw plenty of action at middle linebacker and really turned some heads. He won't unseat Mahdavi, but he has gained the confidence of the coaches and should be a reliable backup on the inside.

Budding star: QB Cody Pickett
Pickett had an interesting first year as the starting quarterback, playing part of the season with separated shoulder but setting a school record with 455 passing yards versus Arizona. Despite missing a full game and a half of action, he still placed third on the school's single-season passing yardage list. Pickett had offseason shoulder surgery, but looked good throwing the ball by the end of the spring. He was 24-of-33 passing in spring scrimmages.

Washington State Cougars

2001 overall record: 10-2
Conference record: 6-2

Returning starters
Offense: 7
Defense: 5
Specialists: 1

2001 statistical leaders (* - returners)
Rushing: Dave Minnich (815 yds)
Passing: Jason Gesser* (3,010 yds)
Receiving: Nakoa McElrath (1,163 yds)
Tackles: Lamont Thompson (93)
Sacks: D.D. Acholonu* and Isaac Brown* (9.5)
Interceptions: Lamont Thompson (10)

What's new
Not counting NFL preseason, the first official game played in the Seahawks' new stadium will be Washington State's home date versus Nevada on August 31. It is the first home game for the Cougars in Seattle since 1976. All trips to Seattle since then have been as a visiting team against Washington. The other six Cougar home games this season will all be played at Martin Stadium in Pullman.

Battling it out
After the graduation of Dave Minnich, Jermaine Green looks like the man to beat at tailback. At 6-1, 215 pounds, the junior college transfer gives the Cougars another physical back and much better speed at the tailback position. John Tippins (6-2, 220) backed up Minnich last year with 268 yards and two TDs. He has lost 20 pounds from last season and performed much better in the spring, although slightly behind Green. A couple of new signees could also challenge this fall.

Eye catcher: WR Devard Darling
Darling (6-3, 205) saw limited playing time as a freshman at Florida State, then transferred to Washington State last year after the tragic death of his twin brother during offseason conditioning drills. He was a playmaker on the scout team in the fall and had 10 catches for 180 yards with two touchdowns in the first three scrimmages this spring. He missed the spring game with a minor injury but should see plenty of action in the rotation this season, even if he is not a starter.

Budding star: CB Marcus Trufant
Trufant (6-0, 189) missed five games with a thumb injury last year but still finished with 37 tackles, three interceptions and seven pass breakups. He showed no affects of the injury in the spring and continued to dominate on the field. Head coach Mike Price calls Trufant the best cover corner in the conference and one of the best in the nation.

Brad Edwards researches college football for ESPN and is a contributor to ESPN.com throughout the year.