We’ve been in a list-writing mood lately, as you may have noticed.

After ranking the best Washington Husky games of the coming season in order yesterday, now it’s time to look at the best Pac-10 games not involving the Huskies. This time it’s simply a top 10, ranked in the order that the schedule will serve them up:

USC at Virginia (Aug. 30)
A team with national title hopes doesn’t want to start 0-1. But it’s no simple thing to begin your season three time zones away. (Although the Huskies managed just fine last season at Syracuse.)

Oklahoma State vs. WSU (Aug. 30)
This one won’t turn heads nationally, but the Paul Wulff era opens at Washington State with an interesting intersectional match at Qwest Field.

Tennessee at UCLA (Sept. 1)
This visit from an SEC power should provide a fascinating welcome back for Rick Neuheisel.

Oregon State at Penn State (Sept. 6)
Pac-10 prestige could rise considerably if the Beavers can rise to this early season challenge … at Beaver Stadium.

Ohio State at USC (Sept. 13)
Could be the intersectional game of the season, and a BCS title bid could hang in the balance.

Georgia at Arizona State (Sept. 20)
Georgia is a popular pick for the national championship this season. However, if Dennis Erickson’s team comes together just a bit ahead of schedule, the Bulldogs could have a devil of a time in the desert.

Arizona State at USC (Oct. 11)
These are the popular picks for No. 1 and 2 in the conference. This game should determine who’s one and who’s two.

Oregon at Arizona State (Oct. 25)
If things go as expected, this seems like a battle for the Holiday Bowl. But if USC stumbles a bit, the stakes here could rise considerably.

Arizona State at Oregon State (Nov. 1)
Dennis Erickson returns to Corvallis for the first time as opposing coach.

USC at UCLA (Dec. 6)
The LA rivalry gains some extra voltage with Pete Carroll on one sideline and Rick Neuheisel on the other.

(And, yes, I know I didn't fit in Notre Dame at USC. What can I say? It looks like a fascinating season on its way.)

Writers who cover the Mountain West Conference have picked future UW opponent Brigham Young to win the league title this season.

BYU will be Washington's home-opening opponent this season, visiting Seattle on Sept. 6.

Here's the MWC media poll. However, the Cougars have their sights set higher than a mere conference title this season. BYU's 2008 hopes include following in the footsteps of Boise State and Hawaii as this season's mid-major making the breakthrough to a BCS bowl game.

(The Pac-10 football writers' poll will be announced Thursday morning.)