Not all players, mind you. We’ll focus on the Pac-10’s offensive skill players, the ones you know best.
On to the list:
1. Jacquizz Rodgers, RB, OSU: (Previous 2) Alabama running back Mark Ingram is the current bellcow for this year’s Heisman Trophy. Ingram is a good one, but is he that much better than Quizz, who is getting zero consideration for the Heisman? Between rushing and receiving yards, Ingram is averaging 148.8 yards per game, Rodgers 155.6 yards. Ingram has 11 touchdowns, Quizz 15. Yes, Alabama plays in the SEC, but has faced only one Top 10 team to date. Rodgers has already gone up against two top 5 teams. What hurts Rodgers’ cred is OSU’s 4-3 record. It’s too bad, because Rodgers is every bit as good as Ingram, and right now, the best offensive player in the Pac-10.
2. Jake Locker, QB, Washington: (Previous 1) I drop Locker to No. 2 this week, but don’t take that to mean he’s a bum. I still think Locker is the Pac-10’s top NFL prospect, and probably the first guy I’d take if there were a college draft (it might be a close call with USC’s Matt Barkley.) But there’s no denying Locker has hit a rough patch. Some of it is schedule, some of it probably fatigue and injury. But the great ones find a way. There’s a good chance before season’s end Locker will return to No. 1, but as of late October, Rodgers is bringing excellence every Saturday.
3. Toby Gerhart, RB, Stanford: (Previous 3) The most reliable running back in the country. In six of eight games this season, Gerhart has averaged between 4.4 and 4.8 yards per game; in the other two, it was more. Stanford is on the brink of crashing the bowl party for the first time since 2001; without Gerhart, it’s probably another empty postseason for the Cardinal.
4. Damian Williams, WR, USC: (Previous 4) USC ranks No. 6 in the country in punt returns thanks to Williams. Maybe the Trojans should try him at kickoff return, too, since they’re No. 112 in that department. The Pac-10’s most dangerous receiver when the game is on the line.
5. Jeremiah Masoli, QB, Oregon: (Previous 5) Masoli’s comeback to Pac-10 football last Saturday after missing a game with a knee injury was like shifting a 5-speed. He started slowly against Washington, throwing a few sideline passes while not taking many chances with the run game. But by halftime, Masoli was up to third gear, and in the second half, at full throttle. If that was “70-75 percent,” as Masoli said afterward, let’s see 100 percent against USC. That would be fun.
6. Jahvid Best, RB, California: (Previous 6) The anti-Gerhart. The Pac-10’s most electric offensive player. The past two games, Best has had a touchdown run of 93 and 61 yards. But more often, he’s getting a yard, two yards or caught behind the line of scrimmage. Can’t leave Best off the top 10, he’s too good. But unless he finishes the season with some consistency, Best is the Pac-10’s most disappointing player of 2009.
7. James Rodgers, WR, Oregon State: (Previous 8) The Pac-10 leader in receptions and receiving yardage, all that keeps Quizz’s older brother from a higher ranking is a signature game. Maybe something like three touchdowns, one on a punt return, with a buck 50 in receiving yards. Rodgers is capable.
8. LaMichael James, RB, Oregon: (NR) James was supposed to play second fiddle to LeGarrette Blount, but instead, has become the savior for Oregon’s offense. He’s run for more than 150 yards in three of Oregon’s past five games, and might have done it in all five had the Cal and WSU games not been blowouts. James spotted Gerhart and Rodgers a big lead early in the season, but winning the Pac-10’s rushing title isn’t out of reach for this talented freshman.
9. Sean Canfield, QB, OSU: (NR) Canfield is playing too well to ignore. Only Locker has thrown more passes in the Pac-10 this season than Canfield, who has completed at least 60 percent of his throws in every game. If OSU wins eight or nine games during the regular season, Canfield ought to be considered for first team all-Pac 10 honors.
10. Matt Barkley, QB, USC: (NR) What sort of looked like schtick has turned out to be just another brilliant judgment by Pete Carroll. Barkley didn’t start the season opener just so Carroll could scratch an itch; turns out the kid is every bit as good as the hype. The Pac-10 passing yardage and efficiency leader might be the most physically gifted quarterback since John Elway.
Two on the outside: Ed Dickson, TE, Oregon (previous 7); Nick Foles, QB, Arizona.
Five to watch: Joe McKnight, RB, USC (previous 10); Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford; Ryan Whalen, WR, Stanford; Chris Polk, RB, Washington (previous 9); Kai Forbath, K, UCLA.
Nick Daschel covers the Pacific-10 Conference for Buster Sports, and can be reached at ndaschel@bustersports.com
You can also follow Nick on Twitter
Comments