BEST CONFERENCE IN NCAA FOOTBALL? PAC-10 PROVIDES LEVEL PLAYING FIELD EVERY YEAR.

Byline: Jill Painter Staff Writer

Nothing can be more annoying than college football coaches who insist any team can win their conference.

Especially all 10 of them.

But in the case of the Pacific-10 Conference, the predictably uninspiring statement shouldn't be received with a roll of the eyes.

Frankly, they're right.

This is an equal opportunity conference. If there's a conference in the country that can boast of parity, it's the Pac-10.

This isn't the SEC, where every year it's a three-team race with Tennessee, Florida and Florida State. This is the Pac-10, where year after year, you just never know which team will show up in the Rose Bowl.

``This is a great conference from top to bottom,'' Arizona State coach Dirk Koetter said. ``I think this is the best league in the world. There's no easy ones.''

Need proof?

Seven schools have won the Pac-10 the past seven years. Four teams finished 2001 in the top-25.

``The Pac-10 is much too hard and it's such a level playing field that each team could win it,'' USC strong safety Troy Polamalu said. ``Only time will tell.''

Washington State is the preseason favorite to win the conference on the arm of quarterback Jason Gesser. It's the first time the Cougars were picked to win the Pac-10 since the poll began in 1961.

The power in the Pac-10 may be shifting toward the Northwest. Oregon won the Pac-10 last year, and Washington and Washington State finished in a tie for second, along with Stanford.

Washington State, Washington and Oregon were picked to finish first, second and third. But don't forget about USC, UCLA, Stanford, Cal and oh, the Arizona schools.

``Obviously this league, from four years ago, is unbelievable from top to bottom,'' said Oregon State coach Dennis Erickson, who coached Miami to national titles in 1989 and 1991.

Coaches feel confident they can compete for the title every season.

Stanford first-year coach Buddy Teevens, the former assistant offensive coordinator under Steve Spurrier at Florida, welcomes the equality in the Pac-10.

``Some conferences I've been in, you can play as hard as you want (and not win),'' Teevens said. ``There's the haves and the have nots. It's nice to be in an environment where week after week, you have an opportunity to compete and win on a level playing field.''

But what about USC? Perhaps this will be senior quarterback Carson Palmer's breakthrough year. And if Michigan transfer Justin Fargas can stay healthy, the Trojans could have an electric backfield, along with Sultan McCullough. Fargas, a Notre Dame High of Sherman Oaks product, was impressive at running back in the spring.

The Bruins are always loaded with potential and were in the national title hunt last year after a 6-0 start and No. 4 ranking. The season spiraled downward after that. UCLA returns six players on offense, including quarterback Cory Paus.

``A lot of people think we're in a rebuilding process, but I don't think so,'' UCLA coach Bob Toledo said. ``The cupboard is not bare.''

Rick Neuheisel always makes Washington one of the toughest games for conference opponents. The Cougars are ranked ninth - the Pac-10's highest debut - in the Associated Press and ESPN/USA Today preseason polls.

``I think the team that's going to win the conference will have the best defense,'' Neuheisel said. ``There's a lot of great offenses, but who can stop some of these guys?''

The Arizona schools may not be the most heralded teams, but they're starting to attract the same caliber athletes the rest of the conference lands.

Arizona State will start between 16-18 underclassmen. The Sun Devils have just opened a new $21 million facility which includes a weight room and locker room. And they started the season with ample national exposure.

``The experience (we got) playing in Lincoln on national television with that crowd is something money can't buy,'' Koetter said. ``It definitely adds some spice to your life.''

Cal coach Jeff Tedford has his hands full, taking over a team which finished 1-10 last year and is on probation this year. The NCAA has banned Cal from a bowl game this year for committing NCAA violations. But Kyle Boller, a Hart High of Newhall product, could be much more productive under Tedford's tutelage.

Whether it's Oregon State at USC in September, the October matchup between Oregon and UCLA or Washington at Washington State in November, the Pac-10 schedule should be filled with weekly thrillers.

``We have great rivalries,'' said Carroll, a former NFL coach. ``It's much more like the NFL, where each week you match up.''

PAC 10 HANDOFFS

Biggest game: Oregon vs. Washington State, Nov. 9

Most exciting player: WR Keenan Howry, Oregon

Surprise team: Oregon State

Biggest bust: Washington State, the preseason favorite

Newcomer of the year: RB Justin Fargas, USC

Best defensive player: DE Terrell Suggs, Arizona State

Coach on the hot seat: Coach Bob Toledo, UCLA

CAPTION(S):

2 boxes

Box:

(1) PAC 10 HANDOFFS (see text)

(2) COLLEGE FOOTBALL: TEAM-BY-TEAM SCHEDULE