AP Poll

The new AP Poll is out, and it's good news for USC as they made a big leap from #6 up to #3. The bad news for USC is that safety Josh Pinkard is out for the season. USC isn't the only top 25 team to lose a key player. Other players out for the season after just one week include RB Michael Bush of Lousiville and LB Anthony Waters of Clemson. USC has to either replace Pinkard with freshmen or move Dallas Sartz from linebacker to safety. If Sartz moves to safety, it clears up a bit of a logjam at linebacker and would let Cushing, Lua, Maualuga and Rivers all play in the 3-4. Considering that Pete Carroll loves playing freshmen and two of USC's top recruits last year were safeties, USC shouldn't have a problem filling the spot with them or Sartz. Inexperience at the position could be a problem though. USC does get a week off before they play Nebraska, so whoever fills in for Pinkard should get enough reps in practice to be effective against the Cornhuskers.

Cal took the biggest hit of any team in the poll, dropping from #9 to #22. Along with Miami, they are the only teams in the top 25 that took a loss. I know some people think Cal's season is over, but conference play hasn't started yet and they could still go 11-1. It isn't that likely to happen, but it could with improved play from Ayoob or Longshore or whoever lines up under center. That running game is going to be scary for each and every Pac-10 defense that has to face it, not to mention Minnesota this weekend.

Evidently, Oregon only moved up because Cal lost, despite their dismantling of the Cardinal. They may get some much deserved respect if they can tame Fresno State's offense and put on another show in Fresno this weekend.

Arizona State fell down to #25 after their victory over Northern Arizona. They better get their heads on straight against Nevada and Colorado, because they have a tough stretch playing Cal, Oregon and USC in consecutive weeks.

The Pac-10 announced its players of the week: UCLA's Ben Olson on offense, USC's Keith Rivers on defense and Arizona's Nick Folk on special teams