BootPowerRatings™ - 2002 Debut

The surest sign that college football has again returned to our collective consciousness is the debut of the BPRs. For newbies, these much ballyhooed ratings come from proprietary software run by the BootComputer, handing out numerical ratings each week to the conference programs. But the sweet icing on the cake is the sharp and insightful commentary that Tree Boy provides...

Pac-10 BootPowerRatings™

As of 8/28/02

Below are our exclusive BootPowerRatings™ of the Pac-10 conference. Each week during the football season, we will release our secret-formula rating of all teams of the Pac-10. The BootPowerRating™ (BPR) is calculated by utilizing a range of factors rumored to include: past results, statistics, common-opponent comparative results factor, strength-of-schedule, home-stadium environment, cheerleader attitude and an unrevealed school spirit multiplier. The resulting rating score falls within a 1-100 scale, where 100 approximates a Rose Bowl-bound team and a score of 1 is somewhere south of D-1.

1. Washington St. [BPR=93]

Recent Pac-10 history shows us that an experienced, pro-worthy QB returning for his senior year is a springboard to conference success.  If this pattern holds, the Cougs should be ready to make another run at the Pac-10 crown.  This lofty, preseason ranking bestowed upon them by the BootComputer comes with a warning: the last time Price's Panthers went 10-2, they followed it up with a 3-8 encore. [Cougfan.com]

2. Oregon [BPR=90]

With the departure of Hype Harrington, the Oregon AD had to find another candidate to waste Phil Knight's Nike bucks; enter Onterrio Smith.  Joey wasn't the only Duck to flee Eugene, as a record 7 webbed-footers took their skills to the NFL, depleting the Oregon secondary in the process.  If Mike "BCS Buddy" Bellotti is going to keep the Quackers among the nation's elite, he will have to do so without offensive coordinator Jeff Tedford, who opted to work with troubled youth in the Bay Area. [eDuck Sports]

3. Washington [BPR=85]

As bad as the Huskies' defense was last year, one can only assume it is going to get better this year. Besides, do you really think Satan would let Ricky N. suffer through a bad season?   Throw in Cody "4" Pick-etts, Reggie Williams and scatback Rich Alexis, and you have a fairly lethal triad on offense.  Bonus for U-Dub: perennial bully Stanford not on schedule. [Dawgman.com]

4. Stanford [BPR=82]

In addition to leaving a bitter taste in Cardinalmaniacs' mouths (and making some light of pocket) the Screw-attle Bowl marked the end of The Sheriff's stay on The Farm.  Amidst the sea of new faces stands Chris Lewis, who has been put in charge of Operation Cardinal by new front man Buddy Teevens.  With pundits setting low expectations, this Stanford squad is looking to make its mark nationally as they begin their quest to "shock the world." [TheBootleg.com]

5. USC [BPR=79]

After finishing the regular season with 4 straight wins (never mind that they were against the league's worst teams) the Toejams returned to early season form and rolled over in their bowl game against Utah. But fear not!! Carson Palmer is back, leading a talented team loaded with potential. Sound familiar? As Pete Carroll takes another "step in the right direction," banners displaying the team motto of "Commitment to Mediocrity" hang in the hallowed halls of Yesterday U. [WeAreSC.com]

6. UCLA [BPR=74]

The good news: Corey "Incomplete" Paus is healthy and ready to get behind center again. The bad news: see above. I know I say this every year, but this is Toledo's last chance to save his job. Take essentially the same team that tanked last year, remove the 3 best position players on that team, jack up expectations even higher, and you have the 2002 Ruins. Sayonara, Bobby. [Bruin Report Online]

7. Oregon St. [BPR=71]

After a banner season just 2 years ago, the Pelted Ones quickly returned to the sewers in 2001. None fell harder than tailback Ken Simonton, who went from Heisman hopeful to a 3-feet-and-a-cloud-of-turf type of runner. Assuming Erickson's juco ringers can stay eligible, the Beavs should remain somewhat competitive for now. [BeaverFootball.com]

8. Arizona [BPR=65]

For some unknown reason, the Kittens are the trendy pick for conference dark horse this year. The experts point to the fact that Mackovic is in his second season, has brought in 2 solid recruiting classes, and most importantly, has gotten the team out from under the watchful eye of Tree Boy. With the difficulty level of their non-conference slate rivaling that of Kansas State, Arizona should collect a handful of wins before eliminating themselves from bowl contention by November. [CatTracks.net]

9. Arizona St. [BPR=60]

The only team with a game under their belts, the Solar Satans are off and limping in 2002. Perhaps seeking revenge from a loss 6 years ago, the Big Red rolled their way to a 48-10 whipping, welcoming freshman QB Chad Christensen to big time football. A home game against non-conference appetizer Eastern Washington should help ease the pain. [DevilsDigest.com]

10. California [BPR=7]

The more things change, the more they stay the same. Despite a new head coach and a sanction involving a bowl ban, this is still the same old bumbling bear squad from Berserkeley. The weenies treaded record BPR territory last year, and were it not for a mercy win at Rutgers, they would have finished in the minus. No such patsy can be found on this year's schedule, which includes an extra game, allowing room for Tedford to break the recently established high water mark of 10 losses. [CyberBears]