The Pac-10's Most-to-Least Hated

After Brett's last posting, it reminded me that I had this in my email from Sarah and forgot to forward it on! Its a bit outdated from being posted this summer, but still a fun read none-the-less.

And I have to say, the reasons to hate USC are endless, but for some reason I still like Pete Carroll...I mean honestly, how can we truly 'hate' him?


From ESPN.com's Ted Miller... The Pac-10's most-to-least hated.

1. USC: UCLA fans hate USC just because. The rest of the Pac-10 hates USC because it's won six straight titles. The nation hates USC because it's clearly without peer as the nation's top program. Many fans hate USC because they believe the national media favors the Trojans. That's not true. It just seems that way because, unlike most elite programs that are needlessly paranoid and difficult to work with, USC is completely open with its practices and players.

2. Oregon: The Ducks are rich, rich, rich. With billionaire, hands-on booster Phil Knight opening the coffers, Oregon owns perhaps the best facilities of any program in the nation. When folks out West talk about an "Arms Race," they point at Oregon. Moreover, Oregon is loud. Loud uniforms. Loud promotions. Loud stadium. That's why Oregon State and Washington aren't the only teams that stick pins into Ducks voodoo dolls.

3. Arizona State: This is a recent hate elevation. The Sun Devils used to be middle-of-the- pack for all teams other than Arizona. But now the program, long hailed a sleeping giant, appears to be waking up with Dennis Erickson at the helm. That breeds jealousy. And lots of folks are quick to insist that ASU is easier to get into academically than most Pac-10 schools.

4. UCLA: Hiring Rick Neuheisel boosts the Bruins here. That means Washington joins USC in hating UCLA. Moreover, there is a certain holier-than- thou vibe around the program -- you know that whole "we care about the 'student' part of "student-athlete' " thing. Also, the dominance of the basketball program carries over some. And, come on, pastels?

5. Washington: This middling ranking shows that being bad makes folks like you better. When the Huskies were a Pac-10 power, they easily were at or near the top of the conference. The L.A. schools hated the Huskies because they felt they should rule the conference. And the Northwest schools hated Washington because, well, the Huskies were a bunch of arrogant, big-city jerks from Seattle. But with the football program struggling ever since Neuheisel left, some might actually feel pangs of sympathy for the team. And how can you hate Tyrone Willingham?

6. California: How could anyone hate Berkeley -- Tree Sitter U? Well, some point out that the academic standards for the football program aren't the same as they are for the rest of the student body (many of those "some," who often hail from a place called "Stanford", point to JC transfers). But, really, this hate arises for folks who pine for the days of yore when the Golden Bears were mostly terrible. Jeff Tedford brought success to Strawberry Canyon, and hate followed thereafter.

7. Oregon State: Again, being good is a big reason the Beavers went from lovable losers to hateable winners. There is another part though: Let's just say OSU's reputation is to play -- and deliver hard hits -- right up to the echo of the whistle. And maybe a few moments more. That would count for more if coach Mike Riley wasn't such an easy-going guy.

8. Arizona: The only team that really hates Arizona is Arizona State, but that hate is pretty strong and keeps the Wildcats registering on the Hate Meter. And, if the program's turnaround.. . any second... any second... finally arrives, expect a more confident Mike Stoops to find ways to annoy fans from schools outside the Grand Canyon State.

9. Washington State: Washington fans hate Washington State, but they hate Oregon more. And it bothers Cougars fans that their biggest rival has a bigger rival. Plus, look at the coaches: Jim Walden, Mike Price, Bill Doba and now Paul Wulff. There might not be four nicer guys in coaching.

10. Stanford: Cal hates Stanford. Fine. And some schools are jealous of Stanford's singular standing as Division I-A's most elite academic institution. But it's hard to muster much hate for a team that plays in a half-empty stadium, even when it's good. And the Band is so much fun. And the Tree (spinning, spinning, spinning... getting in trouble for intoxication) ! Sorry, there's just too much love here.