USC, which has won or shared the last six Pacific 10 Conference football titles, was a near-unanimous choice to repeat as champion in a vote by West Coast media members released Thursday.

USC received 38 of 39 first-place votes. California got one first-place vote and finished fourth in the poll.

Times writers do not participate in polls.

"SC has the best talent coming back," Oregon Coach Mike Bellotti said during the Pac-10's football media day at the Hilton Los Angeles Airport Hotel.

Arizona State was picked to finish second, followed by Oregon, Cal, UCLA, Oregon State, Arizona, Washington, Stanford and Washington State.

USC Coach Pete Carroll was unmoved by the Trojans' position atop the conference poll.

"The truth is how you play," he said.

USC opens the season Aug. 30 at Virginia.

Gary Klein and David Wharton
Los Angeles Times Staff Writers