Pac-10 finally grabbing spotlight

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This kind of event happens regularly in the Big Ten, Big 12 and SEC. But it almost never happens in the Pac-10. A Pac-10 regular-season game has not generated such buzz in a long time. Blame it on the East Coast bias or the conference's refusal to acknowledge that defense is actually a part of the game.

If the East Coast bias isn't dead, it's on life support. USC was voted co-national champs last year and the Trojans' Carson Palmer won the Heisman Trophy in 2002. USC's return to prominence (and dominance) has generated more national interest in the Pac-10. Cal was the only team to defeat USC last year – a 34-31 loss that cost the Trojans an undisputed national championship.

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Rod Gilmore

College Football analyst

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Rod Gilmore serves as an ESPN studio analyst on SportsCenter and College Football Live, and provides commentary on ESPN's Friday night game telecasts. He writes regularly for ESPN Insider.