Posted by Chip Patterson

Arizona State was selected by the media to finish second place in the new Pac-12 South, right behind USC. If final standings shake out that way, the Sun Devils would find themselves in the Pac-12 title game due to USC's sanctions. Head coach Dennis Erickson was asked on Tuesday if they would have any problem taking that bid.

"I don't care," Erickson joked. "Lot of things in life you take anyway you can get it, you know. But the playoff is really fun. You can have a bad game, come back, and get into that championship game, which is what it's all about, to go to the Rose Bowl. But to answer your question, like I said, I don't care. I'll take it anyway we can get it."

Here are some other highlights from Arizona State's time with the media on Tuesday:

- Erickson is very happy with his defense heading into the fall. Says the unit is two-deep at every position, and will likely be the best part of the team. He noted the loss of defensive back Omar Bolden setting them back a bit, and identified it as one place to improve.

- On the offensive line Arizona State will return "7 or 8" offensive linemen with game experience, not to mention all five starters. The line should help 6-foot-8 quarterback Brock Osweiler, who also drew praise from Erickson for his work in the offseason.

- There is no timetable for a return for running back Deantre Lewis. After suffering a gunshot wound in the back of the leg, Erickson insisted that his return is up in the air. The wound hurt his hamstring worse than many people think, and is obviously still dealing with the emotional issues of being shot. Erickson seemed to hint that he would either sit out the first 3 or 4 games or redshirt the entire season.

Posted by Bryan Fischer

LOS ANGELES -- Oregon has been tabbed by the media to capture the inaugural Pac-12 championship, according to the Pac-12 Preseason Poll. The Ducks were picked to win the North and USC was selected to win the South. Because the Trojans are ineligible to play in the conference championship game due to NCAA sanctions, Arizona State would replace them in the league's first championship game.

The full poll, first place votes in parentheses:

North Division

1. Oregon (29).... 239 points
2. Stanford (13).... 220
3. Washington.... 142
4. Oregon State.... 120
5. Cal.... 110
6. Washington State.... 51

South Division

1. USC (24).... 230
2. Arizona State (13).... 207
3. Utah (4).... 170
4. Arizona (1).... 140
5. UCLA.... 89
6. Colorado.... 46

Pac-12 Title Game Champion: Oregon (28), Stanford (11), Arizona State (3).

The conference notes that the media poll has correctly picked the conference champion 27 of the past 50 years and has selected the correct champion 10 of the last 11 years. This is the third time Oregon has been picked to win the league.

Posted by Tom Fornelli

We here at CBSSports.com and the Eye On College Football blog don't really encourage or condone betting on college football as we're of the belief that the games themselves are all the entertainment we need, but we also know that our feelings aren't the same as all college football fans. Many of you enjoy betting on the sport, and we're here to cater to every college football fan.

So, with that in mind, we felt we should let you know that the Las Vegas Hilton sportsbook has released their number on the win totals of a number of different teams that you can wager on. The truth is that Vegas is actually pretty good at predicting what's going to happen on any given Saturday or during the entire season, as casinos aren't exactly in the business of losing money. So these numbers actually have some value even if you aren't planning on wagering.

Here are the totals currently on the board:

Alabama 10

Oklahoma 10

Boise St. 10.5

LSU 9.5

Stanford 9  

S. Carolina 9 

Arkansas 8.5

Texas A&M 8.5 

Georgia 8.5 

Oklahoma State 8.5

Nebraska 9.5 

Florida State 9.5 

Virginia Tech 10

Wisconsin 9.5

Arizona St. 8 

West Virginia 9.5 

Florida 7.5 

USC 7.5

Notre Dame 8.5

Texas 8

Miss State 7.5 

Miami 8 

Oregon St. 6.5 

TCU 9 

BYU 8.5 

Missouri 7.5

Michigan State 7.5 

Auburn 6 

Tennessee 6.5 

Penn St 7.5 

North Carolina 8 

Michigan 7 

Utah 7.5 

Nevada 8 

UNLV 2.5 

Nothing too crazy on there, even if it is weird to see schools like Florida and Texas only expected to get 7 or 8 wins. You probably also noticed that Auburn's total is set at 6 wins, which seems low considering Auburn is the defending national champion, but it's also reasonable considering what that team has lost.

Now while I'm not going to wage any of my money on these, I will say that I have some doubts about BYU being able to win 9 games this season, and considering that UNLV is playing both Southern Utah and New Mexico this season, surely it can find a third win, can't it?

*Looks at rest of UNLV schedule*

Oh, okay. Maybe not. 

Posted by Chip Patterson

As we brace ourselves for the media day onslaught that will begin with the SEC on Wednesday, the watch list season finally wraps up with the prestigious Walter Camp Award watch list. The award is given annually by the Walter Camp Football Foundation to the "Player of the Year.  Although it also awards individual greatness in college football, only two of the last five Heisman Trophy winners have also collected the Walter Camp Award.

Two of last year's finalists return to the watch list (Stanford's Andrew Luck and Oregon's LaMichael James) along with many of the usual suspects from the other position-based awards. The list will be narrowed to 10 semifinalists in mid-November, then the winner will be chosen from the finalists and announced on Dec. 8.

QB Matt Barkley, USC
WR Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State
WR Ryan Broyles, Oklahoma
LB Vontaze Burfict, Arizona State
LB Tank Carder, TCU
DE Quinton Coples, North Carolina
QB Kirk Cousins, Michigan State
DT Jared Crick, Nebraska
RB Knile Davis, Arkansas
TE Michael Egnew, Missouri
WR Michael Floyd, Notre Dame
WR Jeff Fuller, Texas A&M
QB Robert Griffin III, Baylor
QB Chandler Harnish, Northern Illinois
RB Ronnie Hillman, San Diego State
DB Jayron Hosley, Virginia Tech
RB LaMichael James, Oregon
WR Alshon Jeffery, South Carolina
DT Brandon Jenkins, Florida State
WR Damarais Johnson, Tulsa
QB Landry Jones, Oklahoma
QB Case Keenum, Houston
LB Luke Kuechly, Boston College
RB Marcus Lattimore, South Carolina
DB Robert Lester, Alabama
DE Brandon Lindsey, Pittsburgh
QB Andrew Luck, Stanford
DE Jonathan Massaquoi, Troy
QB Bryant Moniz, Hawaii
QB Kellen Moore, Boise State
QB Aaron Murray, Georgia
WR/KR Eric Page, Toledo
QB Dan Persa, Northwestern
RB Chris Polk, Washington
RB Trent Richardson, Alabama
QB Denard Robinson, Michigan
QB Geno Smith, West Virginia
QB Darron Thomas, Oregon
QB Brandon Weeden, Oklahoma State
RB James White, Wisconsin

Anyone missing?  Think anyone doesn't belong? Let us know in the comments section below or tell us on Twitter 

Posted by Jerry Hinnen

The 2011 season simply can't get here fast enough for Arizona State.

A long misfortune-filled offseason got even longer for the presumptive Pac-12 South favorites Wednesday, as senior defensive end James Brooks left the team for the ubiquitous "personal reasons." After missing the Devils' spring game for academic reasons, he is expected to remain in school and continute pursuing his degree.

Brooks had endured a turbulent career in Tempe (having been suspended for three games in 2009 for violating team rules) but became an integral part of the Sun Devil defense and special teams last season, recording 7.5 tackles-for-loss, 4 sacks, and a pair of blocked extra points in ASU's high-wire 30-29 Territorial Cup victory over Arizona. Entering his senior season, Brooks was expected to join with super-sophomore Junior Onyeali and fellow senior Jamar Jarrett to form one of the Pac-12's most fearsome defensive end rotations.

But like a lot of the Sun Devils' plans since winning that game over Arizona, those expectations aren't going to come to fruition; Brooks's decision is believed to be final. He now joins All-Pac-12 corner Omar Bolden, receiver T.J. Simpson, and quarterback Steven Threet on the list of projected ASU starters who won't play in 2011. And the news comes in the same offseason as the shooting of running back Deantre Lewis and the arrest of safety Ramon Abreu, not to mention a dispiriting Signing Day haul.

Even after all the setbacks, the Sun Devils may still deserve their summer tags of "division favorites" and "top-25 material." But if they do fulfill their preseason press clippings, there's no question they'll have done it the hard way.

Posted by Jerry Hinnen

It's not quite the Nike all-out-assault "rebranding" that's taken place at places like Arizona State, or even the promised mix-and-match approach set to be unveiled at Oklahoma State (as our Brett McMurphy reported earlier today). But Under Armour has apparently done a revamp of South Carolina's uniforms, with this picture showing off the new duds:



All-SEC Gamecock corner (and Thorpe Award Watch List member) Stephon Gilmore also tweeted a pic of the new uniforms. For comparison's sake, here's Alshon Jeffery modeling last year's, uh, models:





As for a verdict, first things first: any uniform that gets rid of those bizarre camouflage-inspired undersleeves with the garnet look is an improvement.

But otherwise ... it's a thumbs-down. Monochrome uniforms are almost never a good idea, and aside from the white look (which would be improved with off-color pants anyway, as evidenced by the Jeffery photo), you can see why; the black looks like something the 'Cocks borrowed from Cincinnati, and the garnet (as it was last year) remains, well, too much damn garnet. (Isn't this much better?)

The tweaks don't help, either. What was wrong with the more distinctive "Carolina" font already in use? Why move the broad shoulder stripes towards the front of the uniform, where they just look distracting? And why have them stop short of the sleeve?

That's not to say they're bad; the 'Cocks unique and attractive color combination means they're all but assured of always having some of the more interesting uniforms in the Southeast. But if they could convince Under Armour to just make them a little less busy, they'd really be getting somewhere.

HT: @PegPelvisPete.

Posted by Chip Patterson

The "Watch" Watch continues on as the Football Writers Association of America and the Charlotte Touchdown Club have released the first watch list for the 2011 Bronko Nagurski Trophy.

The award is given annually to the nation's best defensive player, as selected by FWAA All-America Committee members. Players can be added or deleted from the watch list at any time throughout the season, a player not on the list can work his way on by being name Defensive Player of the Week by the FWAA.

Check out the full watch list below. Any snubs? Who's your favorite? Let us know in the comment section below.

2011 BRONKO NAGURSKI TROPHY PRESEASON WATCH LIST (87)
Ray-Ray Armstrong, Miami, S	Markelle Martin, Oklahoma State, S
Mark Barron, Alabama, S	Mike Martin, Michigan, DT
Jake Bequette, Arkansas, DE	Chris Marve, Vanderbilt, LB
Brandon Boykin, Georgia, CB	Jonathan Massaquoi, Troy, DE
Nigel Bradham, Florida State, LB	Michael Mauti, Penn State, LB
Tanner Brock, TCU, LB	T.J. McDonald, USC, S
Arthur Brown, Kansas State, LB	Chase Minnifield, Virginia, CB
Zach Brown, North Carolina, LB	Charles Mitchell, Mississippi State, S
Vince Browne, Northwestern, DE	Roosevelt Nix, Kent State, DE
Vontaze Burfict, Arizona State, LB	Donte Paige-Moss, North Carolina, DE
Miles Burris, San Diego State, LB	Dontari Poe, Memphis, DT
Tank Carder, TCU, LB	Tydreke Powell, North Carolina, DT
Morris Claiborne, LSU, CB	Shaun Prater, Iowa, CB
Quinton Coples, North Carolina, DE	Kheeston Randall, Texas, DT
Fletcher Cox, Mississippi State, DE	Kendall Reyes, Connecticut, DT
Jared Crick, Nebraska, DT	Xavier Rhodes, Florida State, CB
Vinny Curry, Marshall, DE	Adrian Robinson, Temple, DE
Lavonte David, Nebraska, LB	Josh Robinson, UCF, CB
Alfonzo Dennard, Nebraska, CB	Keenan Robinson, Texas, LB
Tony Dye, UCLA, S	J.K. Schaffer, Cincinnati, LB
Marcus Forston, Miami, DT	Kawann Short, Purdue, DT
Jerry Franklin, Arkansas, LB	Mychal Sisson, Colorado State, LB
Stephon Gilmore, South Carolina, CB	Shayne Skov, Stanford, LB
Zaviar Gooden, Missouri, LB	Harrison Smith, Notre Dame, S
Logan Harrell, Fresno State, DT	Akeem Spence, Illinois, DT
Cliff Harris, Oregon, CB	Sean Spence, Miami, LB
Casey Hayward, Vanderbilt, CB	Alameda Ta'amu, Washington, DT
Dont'a Hightower, Alabama, LB	Keith Tandy, West Virginia, CB
Jayron Hosley, Virginia Tech, CB	Kenny Tate, Maryland, S/LB
Jaye Howard, Florida, DT	Bruce Taylor, Virginia Tech, LB
Delano Howell, Stanford, S	Devin Taylor, South Carolina, DE
Bruce Irvin, West Virginia, DE	Manti Te'o, Notre Dame, LB
Malik Jackson, Tennessee, DT	Taylor Thompson, SMU, DE
Brandon Jenkins, Florida State, DE	Danny Trevathan, Kentucky, LB
James-Michael Johnson, Nevada, LB	Courtney Upshaw, Alabama, LB
Coryell Judie, Texas A&M, CB	Prentiss Waggner, Tennessee, S
Mychal Kendricks, California, LB	Bobby Wagner, Utah State, LB
Dre Kirkpatrick, Alabama, CB	Brian Wagner, Akron, LB
Jake Knott, Iowa State, LB	Korey Williams, Southern Miss, LB
Luke Kuechly, Boston College, LB	Nathan Williams, Ohio State, DE
Robert Lester, Alabama, S	Billy Winn, Boise State, DT
Travis Lewis, Oklahoma, LB	Derek Wolfe, Cincinnati, DT
Brandon Lindsey, Pittsburgh, DE	Jerel Worthy, Michigan State, DT
Brad Madison, Missouri, DE
By conference: SEC 19, ACC 14, Big Ten 10, Big 12 9, Pac-12 9, Big East 6, Conference USA 5, Mountain West 5, Independents 3, MAC 3, WAC 3, Sun Belt 1.
Players may be added or deleted from the list before or during the season

Posted by Bryan Fischer

The Pac-10 is officially no more as of today, and after 33 years, the "Conference of Champions" has given us plenty of college football moments from some of the best players to ever play the game.

To commemorate the best that have worn the Pac-10 logo since Arizona and Arizona State were added in 1978, the record books were opened and the highlight tapes were watched in order to discover just who was the creme of the crop on the West Coast.

It's no surprise to see a healthy Southern California presence on the all-time team; after all, the Trojans won more conference titles than anybody else and have churned out elite players even during downturns. The list itself is actually pretty heavy on teams that will soon form the Pac-12 South, but when you consider that 51 percent of the conference's 132 All-Americans came from one of the two Los Angeles schools, you can see why.

As with most lists, there's plenty to debate, so feel free to voice your opinions in the comments.

With out further ado, the CBSSports.com All-time All-Pac-10 teams:

Pos	Player, School	Comment
QB	Matt Leinart, USC	2004 Heisman Trophy winner, two national titles, Pac-10's career leader in TD passes, lowest percentage of passes intercepted in Pac-10 history, Pac-10 record for touchdowns in a season
RB	Marcus Allen, USC	1981 Heisman Trophy winner, College Football Hall of Famer, Pac-10 record for rushes and yards in a season
RB	Charles White, USC	1979 Heisman Trophy Winner, College Football Hall of Famer, Pac-10's all-time leading rusher
WR	Dwayne Jarrett, USC	Pac-10 record for career touchdowns, Two time consensus All-American
WR	Troy Walters, Stanford	Pac-10 record for career receiving yards, 1999 Biletnikoff Award winner, Stanford and Pac-10 career record for most yards gained
TE	Tony Gonzalez, Cal	All-Pac-10, All-Ameican
OL	Brad Budde, USC	College Football Hall of Famer, 1979 Lombardi Award Winner, three-time All-American
OL	Tony Boselli, USC	Three-time first team All-American, 1994 Morris Trophy
OL	Randall McDaniel, Arizona State	College Football Hall of Famer, member of 1987 Rose Bowl team, All-American, four-year starter
OL	Alex Mack, Cal	Two-time Morris Trophy winner, three-time All-Pac-10, 2008 Draddy Trophy winner
OL	Jonathan Ogden, UCLA	1995 Outland Trophy winner, All-American, two-time All-Pac-10
DL	Tedy Bruschi, Arizona	1995 Morris Trophy winner, Pac-10 career leader in sacks (52), two-time All-American
DL	Steve Emtman, Washington	1991 Outland and Lombardi Award winner, All-American, College Football Hall of Famer
DL	Terrell Suggs, Arizona State	2002 Ted Hendricks, Lombardi and Nagurski Trophy winner, Pac-10 record for tackles for a loss in a season, NCAA record for sacks in a season
DL	Ron Waldrop, Arizona	1993 Outland and Nagurski Award winner, two-time All-American, College Football Hall of Famer
LB	Chris Claiborne, USC	1998 Butkus Award winner, All-American, two-time All-Pac-10
LB	Ricky Hunley, Arizona	College football Hall of Famer, two-time All-American, 31 games with more than 10 tackles
LB	Vernon Maxwell, Arizona State	Three-time All-American, three-time All-Pac-10, school record for most fumbles in a season
DB	Chuck Cecil, Arizona	College Football Hall of Famer, 1987 Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year, All-American, Tied conference record with four interceptions in one game
DB	Kenny Easley, UCLA	Four-time All-Pac-10, three-time All-American, College Football Hall of Famer
DB	Ronnie Lott, USC	College Football Hall of Famer, All-American, two-time All-Pac-10
DB	Mike Richardson, Arizona State	Two-time All-American, four-year starter
RET	DeSean Jackson, Cal	Pac-10 record for punt returns for touchdowns in a season (4) and career (6)
RET	Maurice Jones-Drew, UCLA	Holds NCAA record for highest average per punt return, school record for all-purpose yardage, All-American
K	John Lee, UCLA	Pac-10 record for most points by kicking, Pac-10's career FG percentage leader (85%) and an NCAA record for the most games in which a FG provided the winning margin (10)
P	Nick Harris, Cal	Consensus All-American, Conference and NCAA record for career punts and yardage

Second team

QB: John Elway, Stanford
RB: Ken Simonton, Oregon State; Toby Gerhart, Stanford
WR: Mike Hass, Oregon State; Keyshawn Johnson, USC
TE: Marcedes Lewis, UCLA
OL: Ryan Kalil, USC; Bruce Matthews, USC; Lincoln Kennedy, Washington; Gary Zimmerman, Oregon; Kris Farris, UCLA
DL: Rien Long, Washington State; Haloti Ngata, Oregon; Sedrick Ellis, USC; Ron Holmes, Washington
LB: Ron Rivera, Cal; Junior Seau, USC; Pat Tillman, Arizona State
DB: Mark Carrier, USC; Antoine Caison, Arizona; Darryl Lewis, Arizona; Troy Polamalu, USC
RET: Sammie Stroughter, Oregon State; Chris Owusu, Stanford
K: Jason Hansen, Washington State
P: Josh Bidwell, Oregon