The Associated Press

EUGENE - The Oregon Ducks go into the season's "halftime" bye in good position in the Pacific-10 Conference.

The standings don't really offer a clue to what's happening in the league - or where it's headed, for that matter.

California is 2-0, and 4-1 overall, and therefore on top of the latest standings. Oregon and Stanford are in second place with 3-1 records.

In fourth place are USC, Arizona and Oregon State, all 2-1 in conference. They are followed by Arizona State and UCLA at 1-2, and Washington and Washington State, both winless in the league.

For the Ducks, the rest of the schedule shakes out like this after the bye: Oregon visits Arizona State and California before returning to Autzen for games against Stanford and Arizona. The Civil War is in Corvallis on Nov. 29.

Coach Mike Bellotti says he is happy with where the Ducks are, given that the team lost its starting QB a week before the opener and has used four others in the position.

Quarterback quandry

Oregon quarterbacks Justin Roper and Jeremiah Masoli will compete for the starter's job, and coach Mike Bellotti was keeping an open mind about how to play them in the future.

Masoli ran for 170 yards on 24 carries, including a touchdown, in Oregon's 31-24 victory over UCLA last weekend. He passed for 42 yards and a score.

Roper, who had missed three games because of a knee injury and illness, could have played if needed, but UCLA's attack was more suited for Masoli and his scrambling ability.

Roper was named starter just before the opener after Nate Costa had knee surgery. Masoli moved into the job when Roper was out.

The Ducks have also played Chris Harper and Darron Thomas in the position.

With Roper back, Bellotti said Harper will be playing more at slot receiver, like he did against UCLA. Thomas will be third on the depth chart at QB.

As to whether he'll use the three situationally, Bellotti wasn't quite sure.

"I'm just excited to have three healthy quarterbacks on the offense to choose from," he said.

Byrd honored

Duck cornerback Jairus Byrd was named this week's Pac-10 defensive player of the week.