The 2010 Pac-10 Football Media Day emphasized change above all else. The conference has a new commissioner, a new logo and soon-to-be two new teams.
USC has felt their own change in recent months with a new coach, new AD and a slightly depleted roster.
Undoubtedly, Pete Carroll left behind a legacy of dominance, but the mystique has started to fade in recent years including a 9-4 campaign in 2009 and the recent sanctions.
"When we were really rolling, I don't think teams really believed they could beat us. Sometimes it felt like the game was over in pregame warm-ups," said former offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian, who is now the Washington Huskies head coach.
"The belief of some of the teams might change now. That is as much important as anything."
Without USC as the top dog, the typical preseason feeling of inevitability made way for parity.
A record seven teams received first place votes in the preseason media poll with Oregon edging out the Trojans for the top spot.
While the other Pac-10 teams have learned how to beat USC, no one has shown the consistency to be USC.
"It has not changed one bit. That's a heck of a football program and we know that when we go to play them, we better play our best," Oregon coach Chip Kelly said.
The Trojans are eligible to win the Pac-10, but they cannot accept the resulting Rose Bowl bid, which casts them in the spoiler role to outsiders.
"I'm looking at USC as they can still knock you off even if they can't make it to a bowl game. Any time you have a chance to bring in four- or five-star athletes every year, you're going to be a great team no matter what," Oregon State RB Jacquizz Rodgers said.
Coach Kiffin has spoken recently about the "us against the world" mentality and the "anger" that the current crop of Trojans plan to take out on their opponents. If they are down, they don't plan to be down for long.
"They are still a great team. They are always going to be a great team. You are going to have to be at the top of your game to beat them," Arizona QB Nick Foles said.
They say "perception is reality." In that case, the "Fall of Troy" is only a temporary headline,
"Everyone still respects USC the way they always have. Great tradition, great players, great coaches, you always have to bring your 'A' game if you're going to be successful," Cal's Jeff Tedford said.
"Until something changes that, you have to go in and perceive that."
USC has felt their own change in recent months with a new coach, new AD and a slightly depleted roster.
Undoubtedly, Pete Carroll left behind a legacy of dominance, but the mystique has started to fade in recent years including a 9-4 campaign in 2009 and the recent sanctions.
"When we were really rolling, I don't think teams really believed they could beat us. Sometimes it felt like the game was over in pregame warm-ups," said former offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian, who is now the Washington Huskies head coach.
"The belief of some of the teams might change now. That is as much important as anything."
Without USC as the top dog, the typical preseason feeling of inevitability made way for parity.
A record seven teams received first place votes in the preseason media poll with Oregon edging out the Trojans for the top spot.
While the other Pac-10 teams have learned how to beat USC, no one has shown the consistency to be USC.
"It has not changed one bit. That's a heck of a football program and we know that when we go to play them, we better play our best," Oregon coach Chip Kelly said.
The Trojans are eligible to win the Pac-10, but they cannot accept the resulting Rose Bowl bid, which casts them in the spoiler role to outsiders.
"I'm looking at USC as they can still knock you off even if they can't make it to a bowl game. Any time you have a chance to bring in four- or five-star athletes every year, you're going to be a great team no matter what," Oregon State RB Jacquizz Rodgers said.
Coach Kiffin has spoken recently about the "us against the world" mentality and the "anger" that the current crop of Trojans plan to take out on their opponents. If they are down, they don't plan to be down for long.
"They are still a great team. They are always going to be a great team. You are going to have to be at the top of your game to beat them," Arizona QB Nick Foles said.
They say "perception is reality." In that case, the "Fall of Troy" is only a temporary headline,
"Everyone still respects USC the way they always have. Great tradition, great players, great coaches, you always have to bring your 'A' game if you're going to be successful," Cal's Jeff Tedford said.
"Until something changes that, you have to go in and perceive that."
Great piece Jordan, thanks for the pull quotes!
Fight On!