July 30, 2003

LOS ANGELES, Calif. - USC has been picked to win the 2003 Pac-10 football title, while Oregon was slated fifth in the league's annual preseason media poll.

The Trojans were first with 227 points (10 first place votes), three more than Arizona State, which received nine first place votes. Washington was third with 198 points (four first place votes), followed by Oregon State with 172 points (two first place votes).

Oregon claimed fifth with 139 points, one more than UCLA's 138. Defending Pac-10 champion Washington State was seventh with 107 points, while the bottom three consisted of California (68 points), Stanford (57 points) and Arizona (46 points).

The Pac-10 media members have correctly picked three straight Pac-10 champions, including Oregon in 2001, and have tabbed four of the last five champs. This is the first time since 1996 that USC has been picked to win the conference.

The Ducks begin practice for the upcoming season on Wednesday, Aug. 6, before kicking off their 12-game schedule on Aug. 30 at Mississippi State.

Pac-10 Preseason Media Poll (first place votes)

1. USC (10)           227
2. Arizona State (9)  224
3. Washington (4)     198
4. Oregon State (2)   172
5. Oregon             139
6. UCLA               138
7. Washington State   107
8. California          68
9. Stanford            57
10. Arizona            46

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