Bowl lotta football

  University of Washington Sports Information Quarterback
Marques Tuiasosopo of the Washington Huskies was
honored as the Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year for 2000.

By Joshua Mason
Daily Bruin Contributor To say that the Pac-10 is one of the
nation’s toughest conferences this year is an understatement.
In 31 games played outside the conference, Pac-10 teams posted an
impressive 23-8 record, the best nonconference record in college
football. Opponents beaten by the mighty Pac-10 include storied
programs such as Miami, Michigan, Alabama, Penn State, and Texas.
Within the conference, competition was even tougher. This season,
there were a conference-record seven overtime games, and 22 of the
40 Pac-10 games played were decided by seven points or less. The
conference title was decided in one of the closest finishes in
years. The race for the Rose Bowl wasn’t determined until the
season’s final week, when then-first-place Oregon was knocked
of by the cross-state Beavers in a classic installment of the Civil
War rivalry. By way of a three-way tie, Washington earned a trip to
the Rose Bowl to take on Big-10 champ Purdue. Oregon State also
profited from its success and was selected to the Fiesta Bowl,
making the Pac-10 the only conference with two BCS selections.
Washington (10-1 overall, 7-1 Pac-10)
The Husky option attack led by Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year,
quarterback Marques Tuiasosopo, proved successful during the season
as Washington tallied 182.7 yards per contest. Headed to the Rose
Bowl, Washington’s only taint is a narrow 23-16 loss at
Oregon early in the season. The Huskies’ biggest highlight
was being the only team to beat the explosive Miami Hurricanes in
their second game of the season, 34-29. Oregon State (10-1,
7-1)
The Beavers’ season may well be one of the finest stories of
the 2000 campaign. Coming into the season unranked and considered
little threat for the Pac-10 title, Oregon State overcame all odds
and beat conference-leading Oregon 23-13 in their final game at
Corvallis to claim a share of the Pac-10 title. Led by underrated
running back Ken Simonton, the Beavers will continue their role as
underdog when they take on one of the most storied football
programs, Notre Dame, at the BCS Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 1.
Oregon (9-2, 7-1)
Oregon’s season seemed a huge success until they were toppled
by the Beavers in their last game of the season. With only one
conference loss, the Ducks were able to secure a three-way tie for
the Pac-10 championship. But the loss to Oregon State, combined
with a nonconference loss to Wisconsin knocked the talented Oregon
squad out of contention for the Rose Bowl and into the Holiday Bowl
on Dec. 29. Stanford (5-6, 4-4)
Despite having a better conference record than UCLA and Arizona
State, the Cardinal fell one game short of being bowl-eligible
because of nonconference losses to San Jose State and Notre Dame.
Wideout DeRonnie Pitts closed out a stellar career at Stanford by
leading the Pac-10 in receptions per game. A 27-24 victory over
Texas is Stanford’s fondest memory of 2000. UCLA
(6-5, 3-5)
For the second straight year, it was a season of mediocrity for Bob
Toledo and his boys. With early-season wins against Alabama and
Michigan, the Bruins started off as one of the most intimidating
teams in college football. Injuries to Cory Paus and DeShaun
Foster, as well as close losses in conference play, ruined a Bruin
run at a Pac-10 title and left UCLA struggling to become
bowl-eligible, though they made it and will head to the Sun Bowl.
Arizona State (6-5, 3-5)
A second consecutive trip to Hawaii and the Aloha Bowl wasn’t
enough for Arizona State coach Bruce Snyder to keep his job. The
coach was fired after his Sun Devils defeated conference-rival
Arizona 30-17 and became the fifth bowl-eligible Pac-10 team.
Internal problems at quarterback as well as tough overtime losses
(two in a row) explain why the Sun Devils didn’t play up to
their potential. Arizona (5-6, 3-5)
Arizona concluded its disappointing finish with coach Dick Tomey
unexpectedly resigning after the loss to Arizona State that knocked
the ‘Cats out of a bowl game. After beginning the season 5-1,
the Wildcats lost their final five games. USC (5-7,
2-6)
The firing of head coach Paul Hackett marked the end of a
disappointing three years for a Trojan squad that had been regarded
as one of the most talented in the nation. Highly recruited
quarterback Carson Palmer dealt with a sophomore slump, throwing
more interceptions (18) than touchdown passes (16). One of the
bright spots for the Trojans was a last minute victory over
crosstown rival UCLA. Washington State (4-7,
2-6)
In an otherwise disappointing season, the Cougars were able to
measure their talent for the upcoming season. Next year’s
team looks like it’ll be a tough unit, considering three of
the Cougars’ losses came in overtime. Even more promising is
quarterback Jason Gesser, the sophomore who was second in the
Pac-10 in passing efficiency. Gesser’s season was cut short
after he broke his leg in a loss to Oregon. California
(3-8, 2-6)
The most notable mark of Cal’s season was a 46-38
triple-overtime victory over the Bruins at home. The rest of the
ride consisted of disappointment after disappointment for the young
team. Senior defensive end Andre Carter became Cal’s all-time
quarterback sack leader with 28.5 for his career and should be one
of the most regarded players in the NFL draft.

PAC-10 CONFERENCE RANKINGS Daily Bruin
preseason picks (predictions made 9/25-9/28)

1. UCLA
2. Washington
3. USC
4. Oregon
5. Oregon State
6. Arizona
7. Cal
8. Arizona State
9. Stanford
10. Washington State

Actual Pac-10 finish (conference record)

1. Washington (7-1)
2. Oregon State (7-1)
3. Oregon (7-1)
4. Stanford (4-4)
5. UCLA (3-5)
6. Arizona State (3-5)
7. Arizona (3-5)
8. Cal (2-6)
9. Washington State (2-6)
10. USC (2-6)

SOURCE:UCLA Sports Info

Original by JACOB LIAO/Daily Bruin
Web Adaptation by MONICA KWONG/Daily Bruin Senior Staff