On bothersome media predictions, no means yes to one player

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Like most such gatherings, the Pacific 10 Conference’s annual football media day is filled with generalities and platitudes, none of the coaches or players wanting to say anything controversial before a roomful of reporters.

So when Arizona safety Cam Nelson was asked about the media picking his team to finish eighth in the conference this season, he attempted to take the high road.

‘That doesn’t bother me at all,’ the senior said.

His coach, Mike Stoops, interrupted: ‘That means it does bother him.’

At which point, Nelson did something unusual for media day -- he explained how he and his teammates really feel about the prediction.

‘I know a lot of guys are going to look at that as motivation,’ he said.

-- David Wharton