WASHINGTON HUSKIES
Points to consider: New coach Steve Sarkisian had a light-hearted approach from the get-go, and relayed an amusing story about his job to lead off. He talked about driving over the Hwy. 520 bridge every morning to Husky Stadium. Every time the stadium comes into view, he said he felt compelled to call somebody, whether at "5:30 a.m. or 7" to chat about his job. … Sarkisian noted four of his first five games (LSU, Notre Dame, USC, Stanford) are against programs that are in the top 15 in being physical. "We have to get our mindset in fall camp to be that way as well," the coach said.

Updates: Sarkisian said five of his six junior-college transfers should be on campus sometime next week.

Funny moment: UW linebacker Donald Butler showed up to the podium late, to which Sarkisian remarked, "Good to have you, Donald."

Quotable: Will the UW be like Southern California, Sarkisian's old team? "I think there will be natural similarities. I'd be a fool to try and go up there to reinvent the wheel. But we have to play to our strengths. … Eventually there is going to be quite a few differences," the new coach said.

WASHINGTON STATE COUGARS
Points to consider: Coach Paul Wulff noted the Cougars have increased their physicality overall, particularly on defense where he thinks that unit should be much-improved. … There will be a quarterback battle this fall camp among Marshall Lobbestael, Kevin Lopina and J.T. Levenseller. The winner will be asked to lead a no-huddle attack, something Wulff abandoned because of injuries last season.

Updates: Linebacker Louis Bland hurt his knee in spring camp and will be limited this fall. Wulff hopes he'll be ready for the first game. … Lobbestael (knee) will be taken along slowly in fall camp, but should be OK for the season opener.

Funny moment: None, really.

Quotable: A pass- or run-first team this year, especially with the stable of good running backs? "We always want to be balanced. We're going to do what our strength allows us to do … and see how it unfolds for us."

By the power of journalistic persuasion, seven-time defending Pacific-10 Conference champion Southern California should have an easy time making it eight in a row in 2009.

The Trojans (316 points) were the overwhelming choice by beat reporters up and down the West Coast, garnering 28 of the 32 votes in the preseason poll Thursday, released hours before the start of media day.

USC becomes the first school to top the poll seven consecutive years since it went 18 in a row (1965-82).

California was second with 277 points, and received three first-place votes. Oregon, under new coach Chip Kelly, collected the other vote, and was third with 250 points.

Washington (74) was selected ninth, and Washington State (35) was last.

The preseason poll has correctly selected the champion 26 out of 48 times, including the past nine in a row.