Interesting, probably irrelevant note: PAC 10 Dogs with regular season records that are 3 Games or more over .500 are 16-2 in Major Bowl Games...
For years, the SEC has been the best conference in College Football, but statistical and on the field analysis show the PAC 10 was actually stronger this Season, Team for Team...with all due respect to how good the SEC is, the 2010 PAC 10 isn't USC and the Creampuffs...this Season the P10's Average Team Rating was highest in the Nation. P10 played a tougher aggregate schedule than the SEC, and performed better against it, and that success tranferred over to the Bowls. SEC is 4-5 straight up in their Bowl Games despite being favored in 6 of them, and by an average of almost 3 points. After Arizona lost early in Bowl Season, UW upset Nebraska and Stanford routed VaTech. P10 has been disrespected for years, but P10 dogs are actually 20-6 in Major Bowls since 1997...Oregon won every game by 17 or more, including blowing out Stanford. Cal kept it close and low scoring, but Cal had a statistically better D than Auburn, and that was an in-Conference rivalry Game. Auburn played an easier schedule and won 4 Games by 3 or less, and 6 by 8 or less...
Two great Offenses, but Oregon has an definite advantage on Defense and Special Teams...
Go Ducks, and Good Luck, Fellas!