The Pac-10 announced its all-conference football teams yesterday, and the coaches sent one message loud and clear: All that really matters is that you play on a winning team.
There are 48 first and second team position players. Here are the number of selections as they correspond with the standings:
| Place | Team | All-Pac-10 Pics |
| 1 | USC | 11 |
| 2 | Oregon | 7 |
| 3 | Oregon State | 8 |
| 4 | Cal | 6 |
| 5 | Arizona | 5 |
| 6 | Arizona State | 2 |
| 7 | Stanford | 3 |
| 8 | UCLA | 3 |
| 9 | WSU | 0 |
| 10 | Washington | 1 |
In case you're keeping track, that's Bowl Teams 37, Also Rans 9 -- including none for the Cougs and just one for the Huskies.
Make of that what you will, but I point this out because Brandon Gibson was a first team selection last year and a preseason all-American, but he can't get on the first or second team this year? Is he a worse player this year than last? Or did he maybe just have the misfortune of catching passes from five different starting quarterbacks in a completely new offense on one of the worst BCS teams of all time?
I understand performance has something to do with it -- and, let's face it, Gibson didn't always help himself with the dropsies -- but can we use a little common sense here? To make the argument that Gibson isn't one of the top four receivers in the Pac-10 is ridiculous.
Oh, and "congratulations" also to Kenny Alfred and Greg Trent who, along with Gibson, were named Honorable Mentions.