The top 25 players: PAC-10

Now it's time for me to show some love to the fellas out West.

I must tell you that I had a really hard time coming up with this list. In fact, once I had gotten halfway through compiling the list, I seriously considered doing a Top 25 players from USC list as well as a rest of the PAC-10 list. However, there weren't 25 players from the rest of the PAC-10 to make that feasible. So I just kept it how is.

Here, for your enjoyment, are the top 25 players from the PAC-10.

1.Ray Maualuga - USC LB - I think Maualuga is the best LB n the nation. He might be the best defensive player in the nation, although I think Tennessee's Eric Berry might take that honor.

2. Brian Cushing - USC LB - Back to back USC linebackers to start the countdown. That's not good news for the rest of the conference.

3. Rudy Carpenter - Arizona St. QB - A rare break from USC players. If Carpenter can put together another season like last year, he may be in the running for the Heisman. Of course, the schedule is a little bit tougher for the Sun Devils this time around.

4. Fili Moala - USC DL - Back to USC we go. Moala is a fierce defensive linemen for the Trojans that will compliment Maualuga and Cushing rather nicely.

5. Kevin Ellison - USC DB - How good will USC's defense be this year? That was a rhetorical question, we all know the answer is awesome!

6. Joe McKnight- USC RB - McKnight might not even start for the Trojans this year, but I believe he is the most talented offensive player in the PAC-10.

7. Vidal Hazelton - USC WR - Hazelton has that big play ability that the Trojans seemed to lack at the receiver position last year.

8. Patrick Chung - Oregon DB - A non- USC defensive player makes the list. That's gotta be a typo.

9. Zach Follett - California LB - Cal's offense usually grabs all the attention, however, Follett has quietly become the Golden Bears' best player on either side of the ball.

10. Everson Griffen - USC DL - Griffen is yet another reason why the Trojans may have the best defense in all of college football.

11. Patrick Turner - USC WR - Turner and Hazelton provide a great 1-2 combo at WR for USC. If QB Mark Sanchez can develop fast, this could be a very good offense.

12. Brandon Gibson - Washington St. WR - Gibson may actually be a better receiver than the USC duo. However, the Cougars will have to find a halfway decent QB to get the ball to him.

13 Alex Mack - California OL - Does anybody know whatever happened to the girl that played Alex Mack on Nickelodeon? That show was awesome! (Although it was no Famous Jett Jackson)

14. Taylor Mays - USC DB - So USC has 2 linebackers, 2 defensive linemen, and now 2 defensive backs on the list. Scary!

15. Max Unger - Oregon OL - It's a good thing the Ducks have Unger on the line to protect whichever QB they choose to go with. Hopefully for Oregon, that will alleviate some of the pressure.

16. Mark Sanchez - USC QB - I've said it before, and I'll say it again, I'm not completely sold on Sanchez. However, being the QB on USC does pretty much get you onto this list automatically.

17. Jake Locker - Washington QB - If Locker can remain healthy for the Huskies, Ty Willingham just may have a job saving, bowl berth season in Seattle.

18. Nick Reed - Oregon DL - Oregon is expected to have a down year this season. I expect the reduction to take place on offense. The Ducks have too many good players on defense like Reed to slip in that department.

19. Dexter Davis - Arizona St. DL - Davis and the rest of the Sun Devil defense will have to play exceptionally well if Arizona St. hopes to have a repeat of last year.

20. Jeremy Perry - Oregon St. OL - The Beavers just might shock a few people this season. I'm not saying they'll compete for the PAC-10 crown, but they will definitely be better.

21. Keegan Herring - Arizona St. RB - With Rudy Carpenter and the Sun Devil passing game putting up astronomical numbers last season, Herring was overlooked. This year, he may be the best PAC-10 running back not on the USC roster.

22. Mike Thomas - Arizona WR - "Money Mike" was the Wildcats go-to guy last season. If they hope to make it to a bowl game and save Mike Stoops' job, Thomas and the offense will have to really step their game up.

23. Sammie Stroughter - Oregon St. WR - Stroughter suffered through a very emotionally tough 2007 campaign. Prior to last year, Stroughter may have been the best WR in the conference. I look for Sammie to bounce back once again this season. Stroughter is also very dangerous as a return man.

24. Stafon Johnson - USC RB - Johnson is expected to get the starting nod at tailback for the Trojans. With McKnight right behind him, I don't know how long he can hold on to that position.

25. Thomas Weber - Arizona St. K - I know, I know, he's a kicker. But he's not just an average kicker. Weber is the best kicker in the nation. With a tougher schedule, his services may become very important to the Sun Devils.