Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

Paul Houck, Portland, OR — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 17:15:56 GMT

I'll take the five wins regardless. GO USC, GO DUCKS, GO BEAVS, GO BEARS, GO SUN DEVILS!!!

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

Ed Seibold, Big Timber, Montana — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 17:39:48 GMT

Please. When all is said and done, if USC prevails over Penn State the Pac-10 will be 5-0 and all of the above just page filler for your column.

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

Richard North Pole, Alaska — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 18:12:59 GMT

You have got to be kidding...finishing with four(maybe five) bowl wins at the end of the season is a negative? A win is a win...never underestimate your opponent. Does that not make for a good story!!! I recommend you change to the positive and maybe more bloggers will respond to your story.

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

tod mascall, lebanon, OH — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 18:35:04 GMT

Did the Pac-10 go 5-0 for no respect? What does it take for those so jealous of the beautiful west coast to be appreciated. I guess we should move the conference to the rust belt maybe or crime ridden south- east. Yes, the west is best and they deal with the rest.

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

Tom VanCamp Brookings Oregon — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 18:37:39 GMT

Once again the only team that beat the Trojans was a Pac 10 team. I still don't think any other team in college football could beat them this year or last. But because of a BCS system that extremely favors the teams east of the Mississippi we will never know? Just so you know that I am not a Trojan fan I am a Duck season ticket holder. We learned how bad the BCS was in it's 2nd year when it pick the Cornhuskers over the Ducks because we only lost to Stanford that year. And Nebraska is Nebraska even with 2 loses and a 2nd place finish in their league.

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

Ed, Los Angeles, CA — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 18:43:10 GMT

Right... so if they lose they stink.

But if they win... they still stink.

Nice intellectual honesty.

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

Richard Bequette, Phoenix, AZ — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 19:08:03 GMT

You're right that it wasn't a vintage year for PAC10 football, but if I'm not mistaken, every team they've beaten in the post-season has been ranked well ahead of the team they were playing, so far. Improvement is measured as the year goes on. Those earlier victories may have cost them ranking status, but I think it tells the tale that the PAC isn't quite as "weak" as you sportswriters like to contend. Now if SC finishes the sweep, it will taste all that much better.

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

Greg Cole, Vancouver, WA — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 19:09:27 GMT

There is nothing that the PAC-10 could ever do to impress the east dominated press. We could be undefeated OOC, have six teams in the top 10, and you would still find a reason that the PAC-10 is weak. The only way you would ever begin to sing our praises is if the entire conference packed up and moved east of the Mississippi. Though I will agree that Hanson has not done the PAC-10 any good.

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

Spike Joseph, Springfield, OR — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 20:00:01 GMT

What's wrong? Did you lose a bowl bet with your wife? And how would a game be "more inmpressive" if it's not in a baseball stadium?

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

Ryan, Gainesville, FL — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 20:00:38 GMT

The author seems to fail at realizing that the wins by the Pac-10 have come when it really matters-bowl games. Yes the Pac-10 took a step backward this season but they won the bowl games. No other conference can say they were undefeated in bowl games (assuming USC beats Penn St.-most likely, have you seen that defense?).

If we belittle the bowl games won by the Pac-10 then the soft schedules of the Big 12 (before conference match-ups) and SEC need to be considered soft.

Pac-10 not the greatest season but still a very good conference.

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

Mike Oda, San Francisco,CA — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 20:05:47 GMT

This is typical reporting for someone who does not actually watch the teams they talk about. I encounter these people quite often as they struggle to find some way to place a bad light on a conference whether it is the underrated Pac10 this year or another conference. There were a couple really bad teams that brought the perception of the Pac10 down but the top 5 teams can put a good showing against any ranked team and as we have seen can win.

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

Dano — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 20:07:43 GMT

Hey, one reason they are only .500 is they play by far the toughest out of conference schedule. I don't see other conferences playing as many games against teams like Penn St, Ohio State, Oklahoma, etc.

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

Josh Normand, Seattle, WA — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 20:24:42 GMT

Hey sir, enough with your Eastern, holier than thou snobbery. Yes the Pac-10 didn't beat one of the big boys, but the big boys don't think much of the Pac-10. To them, it's USC and the Nine Dwarves.

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

Jim Gilmore, Portland, OR — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 20:34:36 GMT

You might have mentioned that Oregon States two best offensive players didn't play due to injuries. One was the pac 10's best offensive player of the year.

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

Hugh Killmeyer — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 20:52:13 GMT

Your bias comments against the Pac 10 demonstrate perfectly why we need to decide college football championships on the field through a playoff system. Championships should never be influenced by the opinion of weasly little sports writers who have never play football a day in their lives!

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

Hugh Killmeyer, Klamath Falls, OR — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 20:53:12 GMT

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

MITbeaver, Mandeville, LA — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 20:59:32 GMT

Ok, get out ahead of USC win and try to down play the accomplishment. Eventhough, three of the five wins were against teams rated higher in the polls.

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

Derin, Scottsdale, AZ — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 21:15:26 GMT

Tamanaha's bias does not surprise me. He knows the Pac-10 is a top (or even) the top conference and would like to downplay it. His arguments included losses by the lowest ranked Pac-10 teams at the beginning of the season. One of those was Washington and the other Washington State who between themselves only beat one other team.

The top half of the Pac-10 are the best in the nation and all have one their bowl games. The Pac-10 sent half their teams and all of them have won. They all beat quality teams as well (Oklahoma St., BYU, Pittsburgh, Miami). Today we will even find out if USC (probably the top team in the nation) will beat Penn St. with each having only one loss. USC's only loss came to another top ranked Pac-10 team. If there is another conference whose top 5 teams are better than the Pac-10 then I have yet to see it!!

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

Derin, Scottsdale, AZ — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 21:15:54 GMT

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

Gary McAuley — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 21:55:37 GMT

John

You're missing the bigger point that what football teams do in September is no more important than what baseball teams do in April or May. We judge all sports champions(except college football) by how they end the season, not what they do at the beginning. That's why a play-off is the only way we will ever get a true college football champion. Maybe USC is the best football team, but we'll never know because it was held against them that they played in the "weak" Pac 10.

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

Iamjoecollector, Salem, Oregon — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 22:40:18 GMT

Continue the bias. Why don't we ask other conferences if they would like the Pac-10's weak bowl schedule? Seems that you, as well as other, always look for a reason to put the Pac-10 down. Yet you and your ilk have no problem propping up Ohio St. or any SEC team based only on their reputation.

The above is why Ohio St. got blown out in two straight championship games, Nebraska went to the Championship game instead of Oregon after Nebraska lost to Colorado in the last game of the season, and the Pac-10 continues to get no respect.

I bet you still think Detroit is Joey Harrington's fault?

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

John - Tulsa Okla. — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 22:40:51 GMT

Thank you VERY much! Its great to hear the voice of reason amidst all of the unwarranted hype of ANY team in the Lac 10. USC is good but NOT great and if they were in the SEC or the Big 12 South, they'd be playing in the Holiday Bowl! Heck they were the MWC B---h!So go Play someone when Lac 10 officials aren't in control of the game, then you can talk. Until then just shut your mouth and take up knitting.

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

MCSchaeffer — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 22:54:55 GMT

"Working within that unimpressive environment, USC found it impossible to get any respect and was kept on the perimeter of the national championship conversation ever since its loss to Oregon State a dozen days later." Sounds like more whining from another "University of Spoiled Children" alum! If the rest of the Pac-10 is so unimpressive, why'd USC lose to OSU? Were the player's paychecks late that week? You really should reveal your affiliations when you make these biased comments John.

Signed, a Stanford alum (see, I admit MY biases!)

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

ah sv ca — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 23:05:40 GMT

How dare you!!!!! You aren't fit to hold any of the PAC 1o teams jock straps....MORON!!!!

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

Roger Smith, Napa, California — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 23:52:04 GMT

5 bowl games and 5 wins. Man they're really bad. Sure wish they could lose bowl games like that powerhouse Big 10. Who's the Big 10 Champion? Oh yeah, the nittany kitties. Or Michigan State and their fine bowl loss, so uncharacteristic to their regular season play. Oh whoops, California beat them in the regular season too. Bowl wins against BYU, the Big 10, the Big 12, Big East and the ACC. Lots to apologize for. Or maybe the writer ought to apologize for picking such a bogus topic. Have a nice trip back to Happy Valley....

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

R. Streiff Grants Pass, Oregon — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 00:28:25 GMT

Another season ends and another East Coast Sports Writer xpurt once again puts down the Pac 10. Happens every year...why is that?

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

Nick, Oregon — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 00:35:30 GMT

The Pac-10 defeated Oklahoma State (who, from the hype surrounding the BigXII South this year, was otherwise a top 10 team)... Penn State is pretty darn impressive. BYU is a team that's always very good (and they were defeated by, easily, the worst Pac10 team in the bowls). Miami... eh, they honestly aren't that great, but Cal DID play with their weak-link on offense (Longshore), and vastly under-used Jahvid Best. Pitt had a pretty good year on all sides of the ball, and they were COMPLETELY smothered by an OSU team missing their best offensive weapons (and a consistently inept quarterback).

I don't know how great these teams really are, but I do think it's a bit disingenuous to consider the poor start during the regular season in out-of-conference games, yet completely ignore the bowls. The WHOLE conference improved over the course of the season (except Washington)... it was shown in the bowl games.

As it is, I do think it's funny that I never see this sort of article when the SEC or BigXII has a great bowl season. And I guarantee 80% of THEIR opponents aren't ranked going into the bowls, as was the case with the Pac10's opponents this year.

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

Justin R, Corvallis, Oregon — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 01:33:47 GMT

Concealing the facts makes it far easier to make your point, doesn't it?

Fact is, Pac-10 teams, after USC's blowout of Penn State, have beaten the #6, #13, #17 and #18 teams in the nation.

That's impressive. No other conference can claim to say anything close to that. But it's hard to go back on your waffling opinion, isn't it? So you mumble and stutter and point out that the wins "weren't impressive" and that in the early weeks of the season, teams lost to teams they shouldn't have.

Bowl games express the epitome of a team's growth at the end of the season, when they have truly found their identity. If injuries don't occur (like they did to 50$ of the Oregon State offense, James and Jacquizz Rodgers, a fact you seemed to have forgot), it's the only true way to express how good a team truly is and how smart their coaches are.

And guess what? The Pac-10 has been nothing short of dominant. The record tells the real story.

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

Patrick Kittell, Orlando — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 01:35:06 GMT

As is is often said: "That's why they play the games." This idiotic commentary is like saying the Philadelphia Phillies were swept by the Los Angeles Dodgers 4 - 0 at Dodger Stadium earlier in the season, so they must not deserve to be World Series Champions. Or that the Boston Celtics, going 1 - 3 on their West Coast swing this week, aren't worthy of being NBA Champs when they hoist their second straight trophy next June.

The PAC-10 teams earned their way into the postseason bowls, and then they ran the table on everyone else. Their records earned them the right to beat every other league's team the way they did in the bowls. Their post-season record speaks for itself.

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

Bartman, OK — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 01:41:32 GMT

PAC-10 is weak, all they have is USC.

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

KH, Spokane, WA — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 01:54:44 GMT

Not impressive? Why, because it isn't your almighty SEC? Come on. Look at the hype machines that fell to the PAC: BYU, Penn State, Miami (perpetual hype machine), Pitt (that whole conference is all hype), and of course Oklahoma State, the adorable Big-12 underdog that could. Get over your east coast bias, and stay up a little later, watch a few pac-10 games, and maybe take a remedial journalism class.

Every conference was not its usual self, or we wouldn't have had so many 6-6 teams in bowls, even when there are 15-20 more than there should be.

I'm sure I could find a statistic to support any cock-eyed theory as well, but the fact of the matter is that the bowl conference record belongs to the Pac-10 this year. As a "sports journalist," you are the species that loves to say "what have you done LATELY?" Well, the Pac-10 put up, so now you can shut up.

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

KH, Spokane, WA — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 01:59:35 GMT

Also, keep in mind that two teams, UW and WSU, account for half those losses. Also note how few FCS teams there are in the pac-10 schedule compared to other BCS conferences. Geez do your stinkin homework!!!

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

Dr.Pac 10 — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 02:09:27 GMT

Opinions like your are like.... You get the message.

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

Edward, Corvallis OR — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 02:19:39 GMT

Run the tables in December, and still no respect? In spite of the fact that we carried two of the worst teams in the FBS. Notre Dame pastes Hawaii after getting shut down by the Trojans and the men of Troy still get your scorn? If the Utes, who barely got by the Beavers, manage to top 'Bama will you show some love for the PAC-10?

I agree with many that the PAC-10 should become the PAC-12 and add a championship game. I think that Utah and BYU would make a good addition as they are both good schools academically, have good football programs, and have an established in state rivalry. But even without expanding the PAC-10 is a strong conference and deserves respect.

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

John Doe, Seattle, Wash — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 02:26:42 GMT

Have a great big bowl of sour grapes on me.

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

Larry B, Springfield, Mo — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 02:29:17 GMT

Okay so the bottom half of the PAC-10 looked bad against some of the better non-BCS schools. Looking just at won/lost records between the schools of the major conferences throughout the entire season, only the SEC has a chance for a better winning percentage than the PAC-10.

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

Mike Schneider — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 02:45:02 GMT

Give me a break! If this was the SEC or the Big 12, you would be so excited you couldn't control yourself.

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

Frank Fullerton California — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 03:07:36 GMT

Typical bashing from the east coast!

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

Andy G — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 03:12:21 GMT

Actually, I would say the Pac-10 wasn't as bad as the season may have indicated, but I guess it's all about whether or not you have a particular bias for or against the Pac-10. It doesn't suprise me that John is trying to tarnish a darn good Pac-10 bowl season.

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

Bill, Houston, Texas — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 03:21:49 GMT

Yall over at the East coast Sports Propaganda Network can say whatever you like, but the Pac-10 won the trophy this year for being the best all around conference in the country (being undefeated in bowl season) if you recall... so all your little qualifications don't matter. Its official, the pac-10 was the best this year. Thats not to say it has the best team in college football, only to say it is the greatest conference.

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

bill roseville ca. — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 03:27:36 GMT

BS Why cant all those great teams back east beat west coast teams at the end of the season?
Better conditioning on the west coast is the answer

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

Steve — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 03:30:26 GMT

I believe USC will play either Florida (which will win the national championship) Okie or Texas TOMORROW and beat any one of them. I don't know where John T. gets his info, but maybe he should spend a little more time on the West coast!!! East coast bias for every sport.

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

Anne, Tigar, OR — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 03:47:01 GMT

Year after year we hear this sort of thing: Weak conference.....USC and the seven dwarves........all offense, but no defense. It is SO old and also, so false! If east coasters would take some time to REALLY pay attention to the Pac Ten teams, they would come to the realization that this conference is the real deal. Bring on the SEC. Pac Ten fans welcome the challenge and maybe then, finally, the rest of the nation would give us a little R E S P E C T !!!!!!

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

Oaktown Charlie — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 04:08:01 GMT

What a stupid post - USC is the best team in the land. The Pac 10 did win all 5 bowl games, often against teams higher ranked in the polls. What that all proves is the polls and most so called sports writers have an East Coast - Southeast bias.

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

Mike Brooks, Eugene, Oregon — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 04:35:48 GMT

What? Look, by any measurement, the PAC10 is the toughest conference n the country. In post season play, they are 5 and 0, the best record for any league. Your blathering aside, THAT is all the proof that is necessary to justify USC being the National Champion with Oregon ranked no further down the list at number 5. If it weren't for the constant East Coast bias of sports writers, USC WOULD have have played for the championship and Oregon would have played in a BCS bowl ... and both teams would have demolished their opponents.

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

Vince, Florence, Oregon — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 05:22:28 GMT

The guy from Oklahoma says the PAC-10 is weak and that SC is the only legit team in the conference. Hey, pard, does 45-35 ring a bell for you? Why the hell is Oklahoma playing for the national championship? Texas ran your butts off the field. Kinda like what the Ducks did to you a few years back. Yeah, yeah, yeah and wah, wah, wah. We've all heard the crying about the refs. Fact is, bud, tears and all, you lost.

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

Todd Roberts, Eugene, Or — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 05:44:10 GMT

What?? Five bowl victories and the Pac-Ten is not very good? Sounds like you like to fall into that East-Coast bias and underestimate The conference of champions once again. OK, a sub-par showing in non-conference games in preseason didnt help the Pac-10, but considering the post season outcome, The Pac has gained most, if not all,of its swagger back. Take Oklahoma State; played Texas to a five point loss. Take Penn St; only loss prior to Rose Bowl was a one point blunder in a tough conference battle. Take BYU; at one point early in the season, voters had them picked to finish undefeated and in a BCS game. Take Pitt and Miami; both rebuilding perinial power house teams respectavely in their conferences that both were picked to win their bowl games against the Pac-10. So in conclusion, watch out for USC, Oregon, Oregon State and Cal next year.
GO DUCKS!! <what a hit on that poor oklahoma QB-OUCH!!>

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

Todd Roberts, Eugene, Or — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 05:45:13 GMT

GO DUCKS!!!
Poor Oklahoma QB who got the HURT put on him1 Hit of the year!!!

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

Tim — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 05:45:50 GMT

This author seems to think that regular season games pairing TOP HALF teams from other conferences with BOTTOM HALF teams from the PAC-10 is a better measure than bowl games paring top-half teams from each conference. So BYU (#3 in Mountain West) beat 10th place Washington and 8th place UCLA, then, when they finally play a top-half PAC-10 team (#5 Arizona), they get BEAT. And this all adds up in the mind of John Tamanaha as a negative for the PAC-10. Interesting logic. -- I was at the game where #1 Mountain West Utah beat #3 PAC-10 Oregon State, and it took a miracle for Utah to win that game at home. Those teams were evenly matched, and it was #1 MWC vs. #3 PAC-10. I'm sure John thinks that indicates the PAC-10 is inferior too.

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

Michael — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 05:47:01 GMT

Ok, so apparently a win in a football stadium is more valuable than a baseball stadium, where do dual use facilities fit in this hierarchy and will the BCS factor that into their computers next year?

See, this is why championships are supposed to be decided on the field, not voted on by morons like you.

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

The North — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 06:04:41 GMT

USC beat Penn State at home by a few points... Big deal. I would love to see USC play a late November game in 30 degree weather.

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

cmac — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 06:22:37 GMT

You want some whine with that nerdy cheese you just served up? Bottom line, the Pac-10 may have had an off year, but they are still woefully underrated every year. Funny, but if I remember right, the PAC-10 is 9-6 against the mighty SEC since 2000. Let's not forget they also play full 1-A schedules, unlike the SEC which counts games against high school (uh,1-AA) teams as wins on their schedule. Is there any doubt that the SEC loving press has the best team in the nation ranked at #5 this year? USC would destroy Oklahoma! I sincerely wish the PAC-10 played the SEC every year. I am extremely confident the press darlings of the south would lose their reputation very quickly.

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

John Akimoto — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 06:28:34 GMT

Yes, I know that the other winning OOC records by the Big 12, SEC, ad nauseum show how great those respective conferences are. Heck, those are some mighty impressive wins blowing out such college football powerhouses as Chattanooga and The Citadel.

I agree with other posters that the PAC-10 will never get any respect no matter what. The PAC-10 can schedule and go undefeated against conference champs in the other big six conferences, win the national title and all other BCS Bowls invited to and the east coast biased media will concentrate more on how the east coast teams "lost" their games rather than the PAC-10 teams having won it.

Admittedly ,this wasn't a banner year for the PAC, but I think they got redemption in their bowl games.

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

John (Oakland) — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 07:00:09 GMT

Dude, you are retarted. 5-0 > any other bowl record. 4 wins against ranked teams = impressive.

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

JR Tucson — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 07:21:03 GMT

5 and O in bowl games is 5 and O! That would make John T. an O. The problem with the east coast view is that defense in the PAC ten is so formidable and fast that it distorts the view of the offense in the PAC. It is like they say it is one thing to have good players and another to play good. If you look at shear physicality of PAC ten teams in these 5 games on defense it is no wonder that a short QB from Oregon should have a SUV pick up truck named after him as how many Oklahoma State defense players got run over? What is so bad about east coast bias is the people in the west watch east coast football on Saturday morning and Thursday night, but east coast guys are fast asleep when the best games are on TV.
They do play some good ball back east, but we watch more games than you do, and if you look at USC or Oregon or CAL or any of them it shows.
Statistically go look up how many SNAPS the OREGON defense faced this year, and how long they spent on the field. If you add it up I think you will find it is about double the national average and might be close to 1000. Look at USC stats....

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

James Portland Oregon — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 08:31:09 GMT

I guess we know who pays your check. Really uninspired effort here. Its columns like this that perpetuate the sham that is college football bowl season. Congratulations, you're part of the problem.

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

Jared Lee, Los Angeles, CA — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 08:40:36 GMT

So according to the author's argument, for a conference to be considered good, it has to have a stellar year? Doesn't a stellar year culminate in the bowl games? It shouldn't matter how well a team/conference starts, it matters how well they end it.

As another poster has said:
"Fact is, Pac-10 teams, after USC's blowout of Penn State, have beaten the #6, #13, #17 and #18 teams in the nation." Is it a fluke that a supposed "weak" conference did this? Give credit where credits due. Pac-10 might not be the best conference, but don't belittle their accomplishments.

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

JFL from Portland, Oregon — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 08:53:24 GMT

you're an idiot, winning games makes you weak, losing games makes you weak, why don't you talk about the population centers of the united states and how the west (outside of california) doesn't interest poor sports writers enough to get good press, but yeah, you have a good point, 5-0 in bowls is nothing, a winning record against the SEC since the bcs began is meaningless, we'll listen to you instead, because you say so, you downplay oregon states win when half of their offensive production didn't play in the game, face it, you are a poor writer and the reason college football suffers, give us a playoff and then we don't have to listen to idiotic voices that tell us what our eyes just say wasn't real

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

Justin, Beaverton OR — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 10:53:38 GMT

This guy isn't just a tool, he's the whole tool shed. Utterly ignorant article John Tamanaha. What does a 59-0 beating of UCLA prove? Absolutely nothing. Wow, BYU beat 0-Dub, er U-Dub, the worst BCS Conference team ever in the BCS era by 1 point on a missed PAT. That speaks worse of BYU than of the Pac-10 my friend. And Baylor beat the second worst team ever in WSU, hip hip hurray... That sure shows how weak the Pac-10 is. Furthermore, if Utah is as "Great" as projected, why did they have to come from behind in the last 2 min to beat Oregon State AT HOME? And why is a win over Arizona State considered so "great", ASU sucked this year. You cherry-picked your info, what a surprise.

Facts are facts: Pac-10 BOWL TEAMS just went 5-0 in Bowl games, and 4 of the teams those Pac-10 teams beat were ranked. OSU won while missing 2 guys who provided 50% of their offense (you know, the 2 Rodgers Brothers). Lesean McCoy had 88 yds on 26 carries aginst their D...

"Winning a handful of those non-conference games in September, would have been far more beneficial to the league than notching them in December."
This is moronic at best, winning in December in a bowl game is more important, period. Remember how impressive we thought Alabama's win over Clemson was at the beginning of the year? Yea, it was impressive until everyone figured out that Clemson wasn't very good... And their coach got fired. Point being, beating teams who are a known comodity at the end of the year is MUCH more important.

Finally, 4 of the teams you sited as your "proof" were not good, period. UCLA, ASU, WSU and 0-Dub had a total of ZERO wins between them aginst the 5 Pac-10 Bowl Teams... And those are the teams you are siting as the reasoning behind the Pac-10 sucking.

Finally, that 17-17 nonconference record you site came aginst a total of 2 FCS schools, and 19 of those teams were ranked when the Pac-10 played them and 17 of those 19 were STILL ranked going into their bowl games. Hogwash article.

Go back to your SEC fantasy-land.

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

Richard Foster, Aurora, new york — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 11:55:31 GMT

In my book USC is #1 and has won 4 straight Rose Bowls
The whole nation including the refs saw Young pitch the ball from his knees but would not call it. I stay up late to watch the Pac Ten football.

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

Greg Williams, Springfield, VA — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 12:38:33 GMT

Congrats to USC for beating another Big-10 team. If Texas does the same to Ohio State, and what Georgia did to Michigan ... all this proves is not the greatness of USC but the weakness of the Big 10. There is no question that Pete Carroll is a great coach and USC is a great team.

But look at the quality of the PAC-10! From top to bottom ... there is not much week to week challenge for USC to prove how truly great they are or can be! There is no question that the "toughest" on a year to year basis is the Southeastern Conference. Can USC play an SEC schedule on a week to week basis be as good as they are?

Yes, I admit that the SEC had a down year, but nonetheless, they still have a team in the national championship game. Should Florida beat Oklahoma, that would be three consecutive years that that conference has won a national championship. If not, that would be two of the last three years it has won a national championship.

Yes Carroll may have a 82-9 record in his tenure at USC but ... he would not be able to accomplish this if he had to play Oklahoma, Texas, Texas Tech, or Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, LSU on a regular basis.

USC is the best team in the West ... which doesn't say much! The PAC-10 and the Big 10, much to the dismay of there fans, needs to accept that they are the giants of the past not the present or the future!

The SEC, year-in and year-out, is where college football is really played! The Big 12 is a very close second. Yes we, the fans from the SEC are biased but it is because we can walk the walk after we talk the talk.

I firmly beleive that USC would not or could not beat the winner OR the loser of the Oklahoma-Florida game!

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

V. Simmons, Corvallis, OR — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 13:41:38 GMT

Your analysis doesn't make sense. What does playing the game in a baseball stadium have to do with winning the game?

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

Russell Nicolai Tigard OR — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 14:05:17 GMT

Note:The PAC 10 UNDEFEATED can any other conference claim the same Answer No. Now you'll have something RIGHT as we know the PAC 10 DOMINATED AND DESERVES RESECT. PAC 10 CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS now you'll have two things Right!!

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

Tim Hamm, Spokane, WA — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 14:06:31 GMT

Funny how you neglected to mention that the 0-fer Washington team came within a horrible call of taking BYU to OT. Don't let facts get in the way of the theory, I guess.

Face it- USC is the best team in the country, again, and they are shut out of the Championship in favor of at least one team that is going to absorb a blowout loss, again. The Pac 10 beats each other up every year, that's how we know our champion is a true champion. There are no easy games.

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

DucksRUle — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 14:34:10 GMT

Dear God, I saw a post from a clueless Oklahoma fan saying that the Pac 10 only has "USC" as the powerhouse. This after the Oregon Ducks decimated Oklahoma State in the Holiday Bowl! Are these people paying attention?

Back when Oregon was #2 in the 2001 season, they lost the chance to play in the national championship game thanks to the brilliantly lame BCS ranking system, and ended up having to play #4 Colorado, which had previously beat Oklahoma, who was playing in the national championship. LET'S ALL GIVE IT UP AND YELL A CHEER FOR EAST COAST WRITERS AND PUNDITS!

For your information, Oregon soundly beat Colorado in the Fiesta Bowl, that same team that beat the Oklahoma team playing in the national championship.

This disgusting unfairness was duly noted and has been carefully watched by all Pac 10 fans and teams since then. Now the big east "capitulates" and says only "USC" is worthy of playing any other conference outside the Pac 10, although the other four Pac 10 teams beat RATED conference teams, including the Ducks victory over Oklahoma State, using a third string quarterback.

Some of the TV commentators quipped that Oregon has consistently brought their high power offense to pummel opponents from other conferences in bowl game, and that Oregon's defense has provided some of the hardest hits for the "highlight reel" than any other team in the nation.

Yes, come play the Ducks, you Big 10, SEC, ACC, Big 12 posers. Regardless of what you "wish", the PAC 10 ends their season with an UNBEATEN BOWL GAME RECORD. (oh yes, ESPN gives out a trophy for this accomplishment).

The PAC 10 isn't some pansy conference. We play each other, and every team, save Washington teams, has performed well. Oregon Ducks don't get the 2nd highest scoring offense in the nation by sleeping in late on Saturdays.

It's time for the BCS and the Eastern coalition of biased sportswriters to consider the PAC 10 as a viable powerhouse of football teams that should have higher BCS rankings, until the smart money wins out and abolishes the BCS in favor of a bowl playoff system.

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

Brian Peterson — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 15:47:08 GMT

Only respectable wins were Oregon over OSU and USC over a mediocre PS, a team that OU, Texas, TT, Alabama or Florida could have beat playing only their second string.

Yawn.

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

Mike Mackey, Piqua, Ohio — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 15:57:57 GMT

I used to live on the West Coast but since I left people seem to have lost perspective and drank the cool aid. I have never read so many responses to an op-ed article that seem to miss the point. I believe USC is the best team in the country. But that said the other Pac-Ten victories are against a MW team and two teams that finished fourth in their conferences. The PAC-10 bowl alliances are weak and the conference went under 500 out of conference. The author stated the truth the PAC-10 had an off year and the victories in the bowls while a statement can't change that fact. Besides, a strong and balanced conference does not have the same champion every year.

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

Pac-10 Fan — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 16:00:57 GMT

I'll bet this column was actually written by Les Miles. Sounds like the same whiney crap to me.

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

Jay Black, Albuquerque, New Mexico — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 16:11:09 GMT

Yeah Tamanaha, you're right, the Mountain West and WAC are both tougher than the PAC-10 you moron. I'm not saying that we're the SEC or even the BIG-12 (despite Oregon's victory) but give me a break. If the PAC-10 won more than 100% of its bowl games this year would it be worthy of any respect then? Tools like you will always knock the PAC-10 no matter what it does so I'm not even sure why I'm writing this.

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

P.B.inLosAngeles — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 16:14:21 GMT

What the fans and alum of the PAC-10, who have never lived outside the region really don't get, is that it's Calfirornia, and Southern California specifically, that people like Tamanaha can't stand, it's not so much the conference. Every So Cal athletics fan, who knows what he or she is talking about, knows that Oregon is basically, Cal State North, just as UW was in the 80's, when it comes to the grid iron or hoops, same can be said of the Arizona schools, check the rosters. I recall this writers column of October 12, 2008 - "the ASU/USC game this weekend past was the least impressive 28-0 victory you’ll ever see" - Well, everyone said that Penn State was under rated and that they'd give the Trojans all they could handle. Make no mistake, Penn State is a class act, but our So Cal kids are better athletes, period. Long Beach Poly High School has put over 40 players in the NFL. USC has at lease one gold medalist in track & field in every summer Olympics since 1912....UCLA & USC: #'s 1 and 2 in Team National Championships....Show some respect John.

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

Tom Estling Westlake LA — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 16:15:36 GMT

Shakespeare had the number of folks like youngster John here. He doth protest too much. USC is clearly the premier football school in the US. In a few days they will complete 7 straight years rated 4 or above. Year after year USC is the cream but they have the hardest time winning in the PAC10. I live in Louisiana and year after year watch LSU get overrated by playing ULLafayette and other weak teams. Florida could compete with USC this year (not Oklahoma) USC has half their defense drafted last year and this year has the best defense in college football. Georgia Auburn Tennessee have an up year now and again-but seven straight. By the way, next year USC will have FOUR High School Players of the Year at quarterback.

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

Robert Henderson, Wilson, WY — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 16:40:00 GMT

Incredible! I have been hearing this eastern bias for 40 years and am amazed at how it can continue in spite of repeatedly being proven wrong. I guess it's like the discredited "supply-side economics theory" that keeps popping up, except that no one really gets hurt when ignorant columnists write their drivel. What NBC needs is a competent sports editor.
I paraphrase the famous composer Max Reger, "I'm sitting in the smallest room in my house. Your column is before me. Now it is behind me."

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

Jan Perkins Houston, Texas — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 16:58:04 GMT

USC is the best team in the country. Oklahoma wouldn't be able to come within two touchdowns of USC. In fact I question whether either Oklahoma or Texas could win against Oregon or Oregon State (with the Rogers brothers)The BCS is a joke and the Big 12 is overrated.

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

EW Schwertley, Louisville, KY — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 17:02:09 GMT

The PAC 10 deserves all the credit for this year's performance. 5-0 in bowl games is impressive. The Bowl Challenge Cup is won.
The Bowl Challenge Cup would more accurately reflect conference strength by taking each conference's win percentage in bowl games times the percentage of teams from the conference that play in bowl games. For example, 5 of 10 teams from the PAC 10 played in bowl games. The 100% win factor times the 50% participation factor (which brings in conference strength and ability to get to the post-season) = 50%. This is still a pretty high score. The ACC, the only other BCS conference with completed bowl play, has a 40% win factor and an 83% participation factor = 33%.

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

Sou'wester — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 17:15:35 GMT

Pretty much anybody can whip a patsy in their own back yard. I'd sure like to see the PAC 10 play some away games against the stronger teams in other conferences. I guess that is why Nebraska was chosen over Oregon and OU got the BCS championship game in 2004 and 2009. It is a case of "play up or go home" and the PAC 10 certainly did not "play up" during the regular season and then they played their bowl games in their own back yard. USC at home in the Rose Bowl, Cal across the Bay in San Fran, Arizona at Las Vegas, and Oregon in San Dog. Basically, none of those boys travelled half as far as their competition. They were all playing in front of a "home" crowd. If the PAC 10 wants respect, they should just go out and get some. I'd recommend home-and-home with LSU, OU, Alabama, Texas, Florida, or well, you get the idea. Just don't expect OU to come back to the west coast for a raping like they got at Oregon a couple of years back. You'll about have to get some referees from a different conference.

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

Jack, Tulsa, Oklahoma — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 17:18:48 GMT

John Tamanaha, the article's author, wrote: "The fact of the matter is that a 5-0 postseason record will only bring the Pac-10 to .500 (17-17) versus non-conference Football Bowl Subdivision teams. That’s what happens when your winning percentage in all non-conference games during the regular season ranks ahead of only the MAC, C-USA and Sun Belt."

Hey John, that's 17-17 against top conferences. Unlike the Big Ten, Big XII, and ACC, who play against MAC/C-USA/SunBelt patsies in non-conference play, the Pac-10 plays real teams.

The 17-17 OOC record you point to as the Pac-10's "weakness" is actually a strength when you consider the caliber of opponents.

Every single year the Pac-10 has by far the toughest non-conference schedule, with only a handful of patsies. The other BCS conferences ? They load up on the patsies. It's easy for the Big Ten and Big XII to rack up 30-5 OOC records vs Kent State, Akron, and Louisiana-Monroe.

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

patrick — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 17:27:49 GMT

wow...probably one of the dumbest things I have ever read in my life. He usually has good articles. Sooooo....beating BYU, Oklahoma st and Penn st is meaningless I guess. Hmm, that's strange, it seemed to mean alot when Oklahoma beat Oklahoma st. "2nd vs 4th" team--John...

EXCUSES ARE LIKE THAT CERTAIN PART OF YOUR ANATOMY, EVERYONE HAS ONE.

This is, unfortunately, what the Pac 10 has to deal with. Total, 100% bias against them, and no matter what they do, it is always written off somehow like this mealy mouth drivel above, as "meaningless" "look at it a different way.." "well, they were the 4th ranked team and blah blah Bullshi* bullshi*"

I mean, the Pac comes out and beats some of the top teams in the country..penn st, Oklahoma st, BYU, all ranked in the top 25, and still they get slammed. John, just what is it then, that the Pac 10 has to do to get respect? The #9 Pac 10 team has to beat the SEC all star team by 40 points?

Stop wasting readers' time with garbage like this.

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

Jack, Tulsa, Oklahoma — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 17:57:28 GMT

Ok, so John Tamanaha, the article's author, harps on the Pac-10's 17-17 record versus non-conference Football Bowl Subdivision teams, and how this winning percentage in all non-conference regular season games ranks ahead of only the MAC, C-USA and Sun Belt.

Hey John, that's 17-17 against top conferences. Unlike the Big Ten, Big XII, and ACC, who play against MAC/C-USA/SunBelt patsies in non-conference play, the Pac-10 plays real teams.

The 17-17 OOC record you point to as the Pac-10's "weakness" is actually a strength when you consider the caliber of opponents.

Every single year the Pac-10 has by far the toughest non-conference schedule, with only a handful of patsies. The other BCS conferences ? They load up on the patsies. It's easy for the Big Ten and Big XII to rack up 30-5 OOC records vs Kent State, Akron, and Louisiana-Monroe.

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

James Hartwell, Boise, Idaho — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 18:02:58 GMT

I am not a pac-10 fan by any means ask anyone of my friends, but to say they haven't been spectacular this bowl season is absurd. The pac-10's SOS for non-conference games was impressive and the Big 12's signature non-conference win came against the 2nd best team in a non-BCS conference. Grant it TCU is no slouch, but lets put OU in TCU's backyard now see the outcome? OU would probably still win, but TCU would have a fighter's chance and remember they are the 2nd best team in a NON-BIG 6 conference against OU the champ from what people say is the best conference in the country. And Texas Tech, come on they struggled with Nevada, yea that’s right Nevada. They are the 3rd or 4th best team in the WAC. I hate to say it, but minus BSU the WAC is pretty weak. Back to OU the big-12 champ, which impressively they have won 3 out of the past 4 years has really gotten beat up in BCS games. And what about Pat White's feat? He is a record setting 4 and 0 in bowl games as a starting QB, but he plays in what is perceived to be the weakest BCS conference. One of those wins came in dominating fashion against guess whom? OU!!! In writing this I am not trying to bash on the big-12 even though it may seem like it. The only point I am trying to make is that every game has its own identity and to say that one team is worthy or not because something that happened weeks or months ago is just not right. I mean what happens if the pac-10 refs didn't see what Jake Locker did as over celebration and they go on to beat BYU. What happens to both of those programs seasons? The only way that any of this can be solved is for a playoff!! These kids are young and it may take them an entire year to be clicking on all cylinders, so we don't really see the strongest of teams until the end of the year. Do I have any objections to that? So here is my proposal; play the 4 BCS bowl games on New Years Day like it should be. That way all of the nostalgic type, the old timers can relive what once was. Yes big-10 and pac-10 alumni this is mainly for you since the granddaddy of them all didn't really have any national prominence this year because all USC gets is a pat on the back. Then the winners of these play a week later or so at neutral sites and then we get a true national championship game after that. Then guess what? We have a true champion, one that the mighty alumni can claim all to themselves. And the players well then they know who is truly the most talented team and the fans it is what we have all be dreaming for. The only people that I can imagine being sour about this is some cigar-puffing suit up in a press box that doesn't even know the difference between a guard and a tackle. And no suit, I am not talking about guarding the water bottle and tackling anyone that comes near it. So come on fans lets fix this! We need to fight, and we need people like good old Lou Holtz to lobby for us, because I know he would love to see the true champion each year.

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

James Hartwell, Boise, Idaho — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 18:09:57 GMT

Give some love to BSU in the polls by the way. It will help us out for next year.

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

West Coast & Proud, So CA — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 18:16:27 GMT

The writer is a complete idiot, and the knuckleheads from Oklahoma that are still trying to justify their spot in the grand dance are overcompensating for living in the badlands of the country. Take the time to look back at history, & this year too. The Pac-10 truly is the conference of champions. More national titles than any other conference in all sports & the east coast whining & continued opinionated degradation of the conference simply does not change that.

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

Paul Kim in Bear Territory — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 18:54:45 GMT

Tamanaha never gives Pac-10 any love. He's a cotton-headed ninimuggins.

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

George Ferch, Orange, CA — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 19:03:06 GMT

John,
I agree with you when you said the Pac10 needs better bowl match ups, but before you condemn the Pac10 for being weak, maybe you should look at the strength of the non-conference schedules of the top four teams in the Pac10 (USC, Oregon, Oregon St., and Cal). Collectively they played 10 bowl teams and 2 patsies, versus 6 bowl teams and 10 patsies for the SEC's top four teams, and 4 bowl teams and 10 patsies for the Big12's top four teams. That is two "gimmes" for the Pac10 versus 10 “gimmes” each for the SEC and Big12 (2+ wins for each top team). The BCS should stick that in their computers.

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

Tyler V — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 19:17:53 GMT

Think about this, except for USC, all the bowl games played by Pac-10 teams were played before Dec. 31. Thus, level of competition is not that great. If they were any better, they would be matching up against tougher opponents; The record would have been different.

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

anotherTROJANfan — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 19:39:16 GMT

What a TOTAL MORON and intellectually bankrupt peice of crap author of this post. Just another solid reason for a playoff system. Also the one team that beat USC (OSU) won nine games this year. They weren't from the SEC Big12 BIG10 ACC MW or the Independent ND. They were from the most challenging conference in the FBS, the PAC10.

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

Dean Doty, Albuquerque, NM — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 19:53:03 GMT

Point is well taken, but worthless just the same as you do not recognize 1)the tremendous year of the Mountain West conference. Good teams can beat anyone on any Saturday. 2)Pac 10 Must play every school in conference 3)Pac 10 schools schedule tough out of conference opponents SC beats Ohio State,Virgina, UCLA beats SEC TEnnessee, Cal beats Michigan. 4) Look at the out of conference foes the SEC plays and loses, they can only beat the Citadels of the world. Get real with your reporting.

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

Steve Mahnken, Overland Park, Kansas — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 20:13:14 GMT

Regardless of bowl wins, the Pac 10 is and always has been a joke. They get to host essentially a lot of home bowl games to teams for the most part used to playing in cold weather. I would love to see USC go to Norman, Oklahoma for their bowl game, or Columbus, Ohio instead of playing in their backyard. Oh, whoops, I believe there is a trip to Columbus this fall. Can't wait!!!

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

Ross, Charleston, SC — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 20:23:18 GMT

Pac 10 is weak because they lost some out of conference games to MWC and WAC? John, take a look at the SEC and Big 12 out of conference schedules this year. They are shameful. Some more games against MWC and WAC would have been toughter than what those two sonferences played.

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

Wildcat — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 22:37:47 GMT

More bias from another east coast coward. They bash the Pac-10 and are against playoffs because they know the Pac 10 would dominate every year.

The West is the best, always has been and always will be.

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

Chris, Oakland, CA — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 22:50:04 GMT

I don't agree with this guy but PAC 10 teams HAVE to beat teams like NM State, Maryland and Baylor. Else guys like this will continue to have examples to point at. No matter if a CAL team which was suppose to suck beat Mich. State or USC crushes Ohio St. The PAC 10 is better then anyone gives the conf. credit for, but these guys will always say stuff like this until the PAC consistently beats teams they're suppose to beat early in the season. If they don't it's still a tough conference, but it gives these guys ammo to say it isn't.

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

Paul Edwards ( P-Dub ), Los Ange1es, Ca1ifornia — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 23:44:01 GMT

Looks like the OKIES ( people from Oklahoma ) still have not gotten over the embarrassment of that 55-19 whippin at the hands of USC in the 2004 BCS championship game. For anyone from Oklahoma of all places to call USC and the Pac Ten weak is weak. By the way, Texas Tech just got shellacked by Ole Miss which says more about the weak defenses of the Big 12 South and proves the Pac Ten was vastly underrated because at last check we finished the 2008 season in dominant Pac Ten fashion!!! USC FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

John, Beaverton OR — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 00:25:15 GMT

This guy's a toolbox. Pac-10 just beat all 5 opponents, and 4 of them were ranked, and in all of the ranked matchups besides Penn State/USC, the Non-Pac-10 Team was ranked higher.

Finally, this dumbarse uses ASU, UCLA, 0-Dub, er U-Dub as the programs that justify his claim... Wow, great... ASU, UCLA, 0-Dub, and WSU were a combined 0-20 aginst the 5 bowl teams from the Pac-10. Thats sure is representative.

Finally, games played in December/January are MORE IMPORTANT. Why? Because by the time Bowl Season arrives, we actually know how good/bad teams are. Case in point, everyone thought it was a big deal at the time when Alabama beat Clemson. Turns out Clemson wasn't very good, and their coach got fired in the process. So, once again, beating a ranked team in December is just a bit more impressive than beating some team that has a pre-season ranking and no wins to prove they deserve that ranking.

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

Stu Hamilton, Cincinnati, OH. — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 03:15:33 GMT

Interesting how the writer of this article, who's an adjunct professor teaching sports public relations at the University of Southern California, would be so disrespectful of the Pac-10 and their accomplishements this year. While the bottom half of the conference didn't perform well this year, the top half has been very impressive, which is evident by their collective records this year and the 5-0 record in bowl games.

Would enjoy seeing more SEC and Big 12 team's come out West to play the top tier teams in the conference and hopefully that will happen in the future. Regarding bowl affilations, I concur that the Pac-10 has the worst line up of bowls of any major conference and I'm sure everyone would welcome some improvement in that area as well.

In the net/net, the Pac-10 fared extremely well in their bowl match ups this year and I hope the other Oklahoma team does better then their in-state rival in the National Championship game. Would hate to see another debacle like the last time the Sooners played in this game, since it will just reconfirm that the wrong team was in the title game instead of the Pac-10 champion.

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

Matthew Mann — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 05:55:09 GMT

What an unintelligent post. Isn't it obvious that bowl games are much more important than early season OOC games? Teams develope. They become better. Your a hack who clearly looks at reputations more than records. Oh, BTW, nice job Alabama. The West wins again.

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

john l, west chester pa — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 15:00:40 GMT

Out of conf games - what about who those games are against. While the PAC 10 did not shine, at least they played real teams (sic I-A) unlike some many chest beaters down south.
The outcome of any game only tells me one thing, who was better for those 3 hours. Nothing more.

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

Adam, Fayetteville, AR — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 16:12:15 GMT

PAC 10 didn't come off worse, and the author didn't make that argument. He just simply said that it didn't prove anything.

And it doesn't. The PAC 10 is still USC, and alot of trash teams.

The SEC and Big 12 are the only legitimate conferences.

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

qwerasdf — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 16:28:44 GMT

LULZ Bama lost. What what SEC? Pac-10? What? SEC better than Pac-10? Seriously? LOL! As much as I hate SC, you have to admit they have SOLID performance each year. Sure they lost to Texas that year, but you have to admit their defense performance that year was dismal, especially some critical mistakes in that game.

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

Kevin Mulkey, Centennial, CO — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 20:13:52 GMT

This column is utterly ridiculous, particularly now that Utah thoroughly destroyed Bama. It took a minor miracle for U to beat the Beavers at home, yet they eased through the Tide. Just goes to show that maybe the SEC wasn't "all that".

Hopefully, Florida will do us all a favor and shut up the obnoxious Sooner fans. Can we please get a playoff so we don't have to keep having these meaningless arguments? The BCS final game will mean nothing more than the Sugar, Fiesta, or Rose Bowls. Whoever wins is not the champion unless they can prove they can beat Utah, USC, and (most likely) Texas.

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

Jim, Orange County, CA — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 21:09:51 GMT

If the author has any pride, he would reply back to these posts to defend himself. The majority of us can see through his east coast bias. Why put down the pac-10's bowl accomplishments when others conferences have not fared as well? 5-0 record is hard to argue against unless you want to nitpick the trivial things like OOC and bottom half pac-10 teams who aren't even relevant in the discussion.

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

John, Beaverton, OR — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 22:31:14 GMT

Looks like Utah and the Pac-10 get the last laugh. Any argument that the SEC is superior to the PAC-10 because of early-season losses to mid-majors just got flushed in the Sugar Bowl with a season-ending loss by Alabama, once overated at #1 because it's from the favored SEC. The PAC-10 and SEC should play more at the end of the year, though, that's for sure.

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

Dennis McInerney, Ridgefield Park, NJ — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 15:25:22 GMT

John, what are your final picks and scores for the last 3 bowl games.

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

Scott — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 16:31:37 GMT

Years ago the Pac-10 went to the Cotton Bowl quite a bit and won more than their share. What's the PAC-10 record in BCS bowls the last 10 years? Pretty good.

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

NazRaQ, Denver, CO — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 21:53:54 GMT

just another PAC-10 Hater. I'd bet my house that USC could beat any SEC or Big12 Team out there this year and last year.

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

John, Beaverton, Oregon — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 05:25:28 GMT

Just in case anyone checks back in, especially the author, I've got to say that I'm really liking the inference of these bowl games - especially when you use the authors early-season arguments. Texas squeaks by Ohio State who got dismantled early in the season by USC...PAC-10 is looking better every bowl game -- even after they're done playing!

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

Darren Webb Los Angeles Ca — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 05:40:49 GMT

You have got to be kidding. The PAC 10 has demonstrated its dominance this bowl season. 4 out of the 5 wins were over ranked teams. John T you have obviously never played football and are probably one of these fantasy player who thinks their some sort of football genius. You under estimate the PAC 10 and as for the MWC what about Utah's win over Alabama. Wise up you no nothing about football.

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

Kevin Liles, Portland, Oregon. — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 21:50:40 GMT

Interestingly enough, 2 of the 3 teams that made it a "special season" for the Big 12 lost. I agree that the Pac 10 had a down year. This fact still remains, Pac 10 teams 5 wins, every conference they faced in bowl games, 5 losses. In these wins, there were 4 wins against teams in the Top 20. They won the games they were supposed to win (unlike the ACC, Big 10, Big 12 when it counted the most! No east coast bias can change that fact.
GO DUCKS!

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

Laura Henderson, Tulsa, OK — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 22:38:10 GMT

HARSH! The BCS didn't go the way that I wanted either. OU just didn't have it and "superman" stole the show. (Can't believe that they give him so much attention) Anywaz.. they kinda need to find a better way to do this college football stuff. BOOMER!....

Pac-10 not as good as its bowl showing

Trashcan, Omaha, NE — Fri, 01 May 2009 20:18:11 GMT

Let us not forget Boise State taking it to Oaklahoma.
Go Ducks!