Pac-10 Fantasy Preview

In a league that is known for its offensive prowess, fantasy options are certainly not hard to come by in the Pac-10. The west coast will once again have plenty of talented signal callers, running backs and pass catchers.

Jake Locker of Washington will be the top fantasy option regardless of position out west in 2008 and he is only a sophomore. A couple of senior quarterbacks from the state of Arizona will be challenging for the top spot all season long. The Sun Devil's Rudy Carpenter - if he can stay off his back - and Arizona's Willie Tuitama both enter their final seasons as collegiate athletes with eyes on a Pac-10 title. Tuitama will have the luxury of the Pac-10's top fantasy wideout in Mike Thomas.

There might be a team in the sunny southern California that might have something to say about the title, however. The uber-talented Trojans are loaded once again at the skill positions: Joe McKnight is no longer a sleeper, Mark Sanchez could be better than John David Booty and the wide receiver corp has five potential NFL draft picks running routes.

When it comes to wide receivers, however, the north west might be the place to look. Washington State's Brandon Gibson might have edged Thomas as the top wideout if he had a returning quarterback. Oregon State's Sammie Stroughter was an All-Conference performer two years ago. Oregon's Jaison Williams - dubbed '50-50' by the fans (because there is a 50-50 chance he will catch the ball) has loads of ability. And someone will have to catch all of Jake Locker's touchdowns.

The passing attacks will be potent once again on the west coast but the running back spot will need some unproven phenoms to step up. McKnight, Cal's Jahvid Best, Zona's Nic Grigsby and Oregon's LeGarrette Blount could all be steals in the mid-to-later rounds of any fantasy draft.

Athlon’s Preseason Rankings (updates coming soon)

Pac-10 QB Rankings
Pac-10 RB Rankings
Pac-10 WR Rankings
Tight End Rankings
Kicker Rankings
Defense Rankings

Quarterback Battles

Cal
The Contenders: Nate Longshore, Kevin Riley
The Favorite: Longshore. He is a two year starter who excelled as a sophomore in 2006. However, Longshore was plagued by inconsistency last season leading people to support Riley.  Sophomore Kevin Riley, who made a great case for himself in the Armed Forces Bowl last season, will be there if Longshore can't hack it.
Fantasy Impact: Above average

Oregon
The Contenders: Nate Costa, Justin Roper, Chris Harper, Darron Thomas
The Favorite: Costa. At least for now. Roper played great in the demolition of the South Florida Bulls last season in the Sun Bowl. Costa fits the system better and is the leading candidate. However, either could be just holding the spot until true freshman Chris Harper is ready to take the reins. The Ducks coaches are very excited about the 6'2" 230 lb duel-threat from Kansas.
Fantasy Impact: Short Term: Above Average. Long term (Harper): Fantasy Stud

Oregon St
The Contenders: Lyle Moevao, Sean Canfield, Ryan Katz
The Favorite: Moevao. A crushing blind side block during the Washington game likely earned the team's support for Moevao. He was also 4-0 after taking over for the injured Canfield in '07, who is a left-handed pocket passer. Look for the job to go to the charismatic, athletic Moevao. At least for now.
Fantasy Impact: Minimal

Stanford
The Contenders: Tavita Pritchard, Jason Forcier, Alex Loukas, Andrew Luck
The Favorite: Pritchard. The fan favorite led the Cardinal to the biggest upset in Stanford history last season but had a less than stellar season in the rest of his games. Highly touted recruits Jason Forcier and Alex Loukas will push Pritchard for time. Forcier is a Michigan transfer who sat out last season. The future is Houston' s Andrew Luck, however.
Fantasy Impact: Minimal

UCLA
The Contenders: Ben Olson, Kevin Craft, Chris Forcier, Nick Crissman
The Favorite: Olson. But he is on the shortest of leashes. JUCO transfer and son of a coach Kevin Craft might be the beneficiary of an inconsistent Olson.  Craft is a better athlete but has a weaker arm and less experience than Olson. Quarterback guru Rick Neuheisel has promised that UCLA "will play the position well."
Fantasy Impact: Minimal

Running Back Corp

Arizona State
Keegan Herring is the Pac-10 leading returning rusher, but Dennis Erickson is likely to employ a committee approach in 2008. Herring's injury concerns - as well as his penchant to dance too much - will allow juniors Dimitri Nance and Shaun DeWitty get opportunities. Nance has the experience but DeWitty has the intriguing size and speed combo. Look for all three to get carries early on.

Oregon
If only all teams had the problems the Ducks have at running back: too many options. Jeremiah Johnson scored double digit touchdowns two years ago and says that he is 100% for the start of this season. If he can't carry the load, JUCO stud LeGarrette Blount will be there to pick up the slack. Andre Crenshaw and true freshman speedster LeMichael James could also be in the mix.

Oregon State
The coaches say redshirt freshman Ryan McCants reminds them of Steven Jackson. That would be great news for Beavers fans - and fantasy fans. The long line of OSU running backs could start again with smaller version of the St. Louis Rams star. However, his first carry against Stanford week one will be his first collegiate rushing attempt so JUCO Jeremy Francis and incoming freshman Jacquizz Rodgers will be there to help out.

Stanford
The running back job is supposedly open, however, if Anthony Kimble is healthy he will be the man. He missed five games in '07 with a shoulder injury and still led the team in rushing. Jeremy Stewart played adequately in place of Kimble last season and should see time this fall. Tyrone McGraw played well in the  spring and Toby Gerhart returns after missing most of '07.

UCLA
The fantasy issues at running back for the Bruins stem more from porous offensive line play rather than tailback play. Two reconstructive knee surgeries to the top two runners, however, do not help. Both senior Khalil Bell and redshirt freshman Raymond Carter will tote the rock for new coach Rick Neuheisel. A name to watch will be Aundre Dean - the leader of a loaded running back recruiting class that could edge his way into the starting line-up should the injuries be an issue.

USC
Joe McKnight is the future and will be playing on Sundays. Stafon Johnson, Stanley Havili, C.J. Gable, Allen Bradford, Broderick Green, Marc Tyler and Curtis McNeal are there too. Good luck with this one from week to week.

Washington
Louis Rankin nearly hit the 1,300 yard mark in '07 and there is a long list of names looking to replace him this fall. Brandon Johnson is the early favorite after a solid 121-yard game against Cal late in the season last year.  Redshirt freshman Willie Griffin and Brandon Yakaboski are certainly looking to crack the line-up, though, should Johnson struggle. Two more decorated true frosh runners, Johri Fogerson and Demitrius Bronson, look to get on the field in '08 as well.

Washington State
Either one of two guys could find their way into fantasy starting line-ups this fall. Dwight Tardy and Chris Ivory have both proven to be suitable starters. Tardy nearly hit the 700 yard mark in eight games last season and was on pace for a 1100-10 season before getting hurt. Ivory has game changing ability as was evident by the 6.3 yards per carry and two 100-yard games. The only time he carried 10 or more times, he reached 100 yards.

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

Cal
No team in the nation loses more from its receiving corp than Cal. DeSean Jackson, Lavelle Hawkins, Robert Jordan and Craig Stevens all have moved on. In steps a redshirt freshman, a true freshman, a transfer and a special teamer. (Michael Calvin, Marvin Jones, Nyan Boateng, Jeremy Ross)

Oregon State
If Sammie Stroughter reverts back to '06 form, the Beavers will have a top flight fantasy option on the outside. If not, the Percy Harvin-like James Rodgers and the consistent Darrell Catchings will be catching Moevao's passes.

Stanford
It is Richard Sherman's time. Although not a starter, he led the team in receiving yards and touchdowns last season. Doug Baldwin and Ryan Whalen have shown flashes of ability and will see the field a lot this fall.

UCLA
Marcus Everett missed most of '07 with an ankle issue but should be the most experienced option. An influx of young talent - led by prep star Nelson Rosario - could elbow their way onto the field if the older players struggle early. 

USC
Much like the running back situation, S.C. has plenty of talented options. The key is figuring out each week whether to play Patrick Turner, Vidal Hazelton, Ronald Johnson, David Ausberry or Damian Williams.

Washington
Someone has to catch those Jake Locker touchdowns. Besides sophomore D'Andre Goodwin, four freshman could be vying for playing time in summer camp. Chris Polk, Cody Bruns, Anthony Boyles, Devin Aguilar could all see time. Polk is most gifted and best keeper option. Bruns owns the national high school career record for receptions (304), yards (5,080) and touchdowns (72).

Sleepers

Gary Rogers, QB, Washington State
New coach Paul Wulff will throw early and often.

Ryan McCants, RB, Oregon State
Ken Simonton. Steven Jackson. Yvenson Bernard. Ryan McCants?

Richard Sherman, WR, Stanford
Leading receiver is now starter and main focus of Harbaugh's passing attack.

Cameron Morrah, TE, Cal
Craig Stevens' replacement is elder statesman of Bears' receiving corp.

Oregon, DEF
Great secondary combined with solid defensive ends could equal lots of fantasy points.

Freshman to Watch

Chris Harper / Darron Thomas, QB, Oregon
Ryan McCants, RB, Oregon St
Raymond Carter, RB, UCLA
Michael Calvin, WR, Cal
Blake Ayles, TE, USC

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