By David K.

A shake-up at the top of the BCS rankings could benefit the Pac-12, but there was plenty of shake-up to go around here at home too. Meanwhile, Larry Scott and the Pac-12 watch with amusement as the rest of the country is in the grips of the latest rounds of Conferencemageddon.

1. Stanford (7-0, 5-0 Pac-12)
LW: 1
The Cardinal made a strong statement on Saturday with their pummeling of the Huskies, the only team on their schedule so far who has a winning record. Stanford dominated on both sides of the ball, especially up front. As they continue moving through the meatier part of their schedule, the Cardinal can help themselves in the BCS standings with wins while hoping more teams at the top stumble. With games left against USC and Oregon, plus the Pac-12 championship game (likely against Arizona State), Stanford stands a reasonable shot at playing for the national title.

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By David K.

I can’t remember exactly how old I was when my dad brought home the first computer I would ever use, a Mac Classic I believe, for summer from the high school where he worked. My first memory of using a computer was playing the black and white version of The Oregon Trail. Fast forward a few years and I was in school, always the first to finish my classwork so I could play Word Munchers or Number Munchers on the Apple IIe we had. I was already hooked. For the rest of my life, computers would be one of my biggest passions. I convinced my parents to get our first home computer (a lowly Performa 475) and then later to upgrade (a Performa 630). I had a subscription to MacWorld and MacAddict. I was a member of Guy Kawasaki’s Evangelist mailing list. For my 17th birthday I asked for (and got) a copy of MacOS 8 for our home computer. Even in those dark years when you were away from the company, I was an Apple fan. Thanks for coming back by the way, it got SO MUCH BETTER!

My passion followed me to college, where I had MY first Mac, a PowerMacintosh G3 tower. I even had a couple Apple posters on the walls in my dorm room. Two years later when my brother went to college he got my G3 and I upgraded to a shiny new G4 tower. From there it kept going. A G4 iMac, a G5 iMac, and my current iMac a Core2 Duo machine. I’ve owned every model of iPhone since the first one, and I use my iPad more than my desktop computer. I’ve followed the keynotes, watched the videos, and truly enjoyed using your products, so many of them ground breaking, over the years.

But I think my favorite moment relating to Apple technology happened just this summer. Earlier this spring my nephew was born, the first in a new generation of our family. He and his parents were living in Chicago at the time so it was hard for the whole family to get to see him in person, especially my elderly grandparents, whose health isn’t what it used to be. While visiting them in California this summer, someone, I can’t recall who, remarked that it was too bad we didn’t have a fast enough computer or internet connection (they still only have dial up!) to do a video chat so they could see and interact with their great grandson for the first time in something other than pictures. At that moment it hit me, we DID have a way to do it. I had my iPhone 4, and a healthy 3G connection at their house! We made the arrangements and one afternoon we got Grandma and Grandpa together in the kitchen together, made the call and then I handed them my iPhone. It was, as you would say, a truly magical moment. The joy on their faces as they saw their great grandson in action for the first time, as they talked to him, listened to him make those cute noises babies make, and saw him moving around, it was like the weight of their age lifted off their shoulders for those few minutes.

So for inspiring me to a life of passion about computers I thank you, but my biggest thanks is for helping to enable moments like the ones my grandparents were able to share with my nephew. That story and millions of others like it are the legacy you have left behind. Today we lost a true visionary, your family lost a loved one, and we all mourn for that loss, but we also celebrate the creations you have helped usher in that have changed and enriched our lives. I regret that I never had the opportunity to meet you, but even without that personal connection you have touched my life and so many others. Thank you Steve. Rest in peace.

By David K.

The situation in the North is exactly where we left it a week ago. In the South, there has been some shuffling between the two trios of teams, but the gap between the two divisions looms larger than ever. This week, we get a slate of 5 conference match ups, while Oregon and Cal enjoy a bye week to prepare for a Thursday night matchup on the 6th.

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By David K.

With Texas A&M all but gone from the Big XII and Oklahoma threatening movement, the possibility of a Pac-16 is alive again, a lot sooner than most expected. Although the Pac-12 has publicly stated that they’d prefer to stay at 12, it would almost assuredly move to expand if the Big XII fell apart as a result of SEC accepting the Aggies. There is no guarantee that expansion would shake out that way, but the Pac-16 with Texas, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, and Oklahoma State added is one of the more plausible scenarios.

Of course an expanded Pac would mean redoing the recently created divisions. So how would that shake out? There are a few options.

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By David K.

Well, it certainly wasn’t a pretty opening week for the Pac-12, with struggles against FCS opponents and a lackluster performance by Oregon in the weekend’s marquee matchup of top 5 programs. Still, it wasn’t all bad, with some impressive individual performances, and solid wins by the Bay Area teams. As I’ll be ranking teams based on performance so far, the first few weeks are likely to see much greater change than later weeks, when we will have a more complete picture of each team (and more head-to-head matchups to consider).

NORTH
1. Stanford (1-0, 0-0 Pac-12)
LW 2
An easy win against a weak opponent. Doesn’t tell us much about the Cardinal, whose game against Duke next week will likely be just as unrevealing. November date with Oregon may be first (and only) real test. Moved up a spot largely due to Oregon’s loss.

2. Oregon (0-1, 0-0)
LW 1
It should have been a clash of titans, instead it was a one-sided win for the LSU Tigers. Oregon didn’t help itself much either, losing the ball four times. Heisman hopeful LaMichael James had one of his weakest performances as a Duck. A close loss would have been enough to keep Oregon on top, but this one wasn’t close.

3. Cal (1-0, 0-0)
LW 5
The Bears looked shaky to start, but recovered quickly to take control of the game against Fresno State. Transfer QB Zach Maynard performed well for Cal. This win, plus weak performances by the rest of the Pac-12 North, helped boost the Bears into 3rd for now.

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By David K.

With the first Pac-12 team, new member Utah, set to kick off in under two hours [FRIDAY MORNING UPDATE: The Utes notched the first ever win by a Pac-12 team, 27-10 over Montana State], it’s time for some last-minute Pac-12 power rankings. I’ll be breaking teams down by division this season, like most other bloggers and pundits are doing. I’ll give a brief explanation for each slot. Feel free to agree or criticize in the comments.

NORTH
1. Oregon
The final Pac-10 champion and loser of last year’s BCS title game, the Ducks return 13 starters including QB Darron Thomas and Heisman hopeful RB LaMichael James. If they can avoid distraction from the off-field troubles of the season, particularly those involving agent Willie Lyles, the Ducks look to repeat much of their success from last season, assuming of course they aren’t sidelined by NCAA sanctions before season’s end.

2. Stanford
The other juggernaut of the Pac-12, Stanford’s only blemish last season was a loss in Eugene to the Ducks. The good news is the Cardinal get Oregon at home this season, and face a slate of teams that are unlikely to challenge them, aside from USC and perhaps Notre Dame. A key to the Cardinal’s success will be the performance of Heisman Trophy hopeful QB Andrew Luck, but they are also breaking in a new head coach this season after Jim Harbaugh left for the NFL. [P.S. BY BRENDAN: Stanford is also breaking in three new offensive linesmen.]

3. Washington
The Huskies rallied from a 3-6 season start to win their final 4 games of last season, including a rematch upset of Nebraska in the Dawgs’ first bowl game since 2002. The question is whether 3rd year coach Steve Sarkisian can continue to positive direction for the Huskies against another tough slate of opponents, 6 of whom had 10+ wins last season. The Huskies are breaking in a new QB, but a much improved O-Line and defense could help make up for the inexperience there. The return visit to Nebraska looms large, and the Huskies will face four of the strongest teams in the conference down the stretch (Utah, Stanford, Oregon and USC). There is little margin for error for the Huskies team hoping to return to its position as a power team in the conference and avoid a slide back into the mediocrity of the past decade.

4. Oregon State
The Beavers are one of the hardest teams to predict each year. One game they shine, the next they fizzle. They have produced some stunning upsets (just ask USC) and some inexplicable losses (just ask Washington State). Returning QB Ryan Katz and WR James Rogers will be the players to watch on an offense that returns 8 starters. On the other hand, Rogers’ past problems with injuries may limit his potential impact, and the defense is much shakier. Inexperience and size could be issues for the Beavers.

5. California
Will Jeff Tedford and the Cal bears continue to disappoint, or rebound after last year’s bowl-less season? I’m leaning towards the former. The Bears will be led by new QB Zach Maynard, who transfered from Buffalo after the 2009 season. On top of that, some changes in the offensive staff and playbook could limit the Bears versatility. Adding to the difficulty is a season played, not at home Memorial Stadium which is being renovated this year, but in San Francisco at AT&T Park, a facility they won’t even be practicing in during the week. The Bears could very likely end up in last place in the Pac-12 North by the end of the season.

6. Washington State
Cougar coach Paul Wulff may be on the hottest seat in the conference right now with an abysmal 5-32 record over the last three seasons at WSU. Anything less than a bowl berth is likely going to be the end of the line for the coach, but this could be the Cougar team to save him. QB Jeff Tuel is experienced and skilled and he has some good receivers to help him out. Washington State is helped out by a very winnable slate of games to start the season and a few more down the stretch that gives them plenty of opportunities to get the needed six wins, despite facing both Stanford and Oregon, along with newcomer Utah. It wouldn’t surprise me to see the Cougs reach 6 wins and a bowl by season’s end, likely finishing above both Oregon State and Cal in the process. But until they’ve proven it on the field, they get the #6 spot.

SOUTH
1. USC
Regardless of where the Trojans finish, they are still bowl-ineligible (and ineligible to compete in the inaugural Pac-12 title game) thanks to the idiocracy that is the NCAA, but USC is, as usual, loaded with talent. Games against Utah in week 2 and at Arizona State in week 4 could have huge impacts on the race for the title, even if the Trojan’s can’t officially win it. More good news is that the Trojans will skip regular thorn in the side Oregon State this season. The bad news is they face Oregon and Washington, two teams that they have had little success against in recent years, before closing out the season against UCLA.

2. Utah
Newcomer Utah will get its chance to prove it belongs and has, in my opinion, a legitimate shot at representing the Pac-12 South in the inaugural Pac-12 championship game. An ineligible USC and an ASU team being hampered by injuries provides a key opportunity for the Utes to establish a name for themselves. Getting to miss games against both Pac-12 North contenders Oregon and Stanford also plays to Utah’s advantage. A win in week two against USC in the Pac-12 opener could set the stage for a dominant season and silence Utah’s critics once and for all.

3. ASU
An early presumptive favorite to win the Pac-12 South crown, ASU has been hampered by a number of injuries to key players (QB Steven Threet is out for multiple concussions) and some distractions off the field, particularly those involving the always controversial Vontaze Burfict. However, all may not be lost for the Sun Devils. With USC out of the race, and UCLA and Colorado unlikely to pose a real threat, ASU need only finish ahead of Utah and Arizona to win the division crown, and could do so without a stellar record.

4. Arizona
The Wildcats have never been to the Rose Bowl, and the road to Pasadena has gotten just a bit harder with the switch to divisions and a championship game. While they won’t have to deal with USC as a contender for the top spot this season, they do face the Trojans early on. In fact, after their cupcake opener against Northern Arizona, the Wildcats head to Oklahoma State before returning home to host Stanford and Oregon. A 1-4 start for Mike Stoops and co. is a very real, very likely possibility. The good news is it would mean very little in terms of the race for the division championship, and even with that slow a start, if the Wildcats can keep themselves motivated, can play out down the stretch against a much more winnable slate, much like the one that allowed them to climb into the top tier of the rankings last season. An experienced QB in Nick Foles is a benefit, but the offense is overall very new, especially on the line, which could limit his ability to make plays. Really, it could go any direction for the Wildcats.

5. UCLA
Facing a seemingly do-or-die season for Slick Rick, the Bruins shook things up in the offseason with some coaching changes, including Neuheisel taking over as QB coach and hiring two new coordinators. Recently QB Kevin Prince was named the starter, a move which was not exactly met with enthusiasm, as many were hoping for star recruit Brett Hundley to take the spot. Talent-wise, the Bruins have the pieces, but it remains to be seen whether the coaching staff can inspire and utilize them to actually win games.

6. Colorado
Good news Buffs, the Dan Hawkins era is officially over and you are no longer stuck with Texas calling all the shots. Bad news Buffs, your team is breaking in a new coach, facing a whole new slate of conference foes, and looking at a big shift in offensive style. The Buffaloes return a lot of experienced players and have a chance to prove themselves in their new conference. I’m picking them for last now as a bit of an unknown quantity with a lot of question marks, but Colorado could surprise and move up the ranks. I’d be very surprised, however to see them compete for the top of the division. Simply earning a bowl berth would be a big step in the right direction.