Week Six

Saturday, October 10

Oregon 24 - UCLA 10 (pick: Oregon 27-13)

Just about as advertised. UCLA's defense kept the Ducks from running all over the Rose Bowl, but Oregon's defense kept the Bruins off the scoreboard. Nate Costa managed a nice drive to seal the victory but it was Kenjon Barner's electric kick return to open the second half that set the Ducks on their way then Talmadge Jackson III's 32 yard pick six one play later sent UCLA to the canvas.

Oregon State 38 - Stanford 28 (pick: Stanford 24-17)

Not going to spend the time to verify the thought that over the five seasons of this weekly exercise easily 50% of the wrong picks belong to these two teams. Over the past two seasons in particular these two teams are strikingly similar and equally hard to gauge from week to week. A true measure of inconsistency one could say - and neither team does themselves any favors struggling against teams they should beat handily, losing to teams they shouldn't, then coming together to thump a team they have no business beating. USC would be a common example of the latter for both the Cardinal and the Beavs. By definition then, when these two face off the pick is bound to go squirrelly - and it did. Not to discount the win by the Beavs. on the heals of their win in Tempe last weekend, OS has reversed what had been a very worrisome scenario after their loss to Arizona.

Washington 36 - Arizona 33 (pick: Arizona 24-18)

What goes around comes around for the Huskies. One week after falling to Notre Dame in a game that was there for the taking in every respect, Washington grabs the leprechaun by the throat this time.

Arizona State 27 - Washington State 14 (pick: Arizona State 36-3)

A less than impressive showing by Arizona State and the trend for the Sun Devils is definitely slipping since their narrow defeat at Georgia. Of course the Bull Dogs have been less than impressive and enjoying a deteriorating trend of their own, aren't they?

Week Seven

Saturday, October 17

California at UCLA

This is a make or break game for each team. Despite the implosion by California since the start of conference play, it is on the offensive side of the ball the Bears have the advantage to win this game. UCLA's defense is likely the tougher of the two and Andy Ludwig's offense has been stagnant at best against Oregon and USC. At the moment those are probably the two toughest defenses in the conference, so Andy has to be looking for a bit more wiggle room than he has had so far. If Kevin Riley studies Nate Costa's game tape and avoids the stupid turnover, he should be able to put 17 points on the board. That's at least seven more than UCLA could muster if they were playing the JV's.

USC at Notre Dame

Welcome to your eighth annual beat down Notre Dame. This isn't one of the better USC teams but the Trojans are three deep better than the Domers on both sides of the ball. It doesn't always play out that way, but this shouldn't be close. Golden Tate and Jimmy Clausen have pulled rabbits out of the hat this season against Purdue, Washington, Navy, and just about everybody else. That won't work against USC - 32-13 Troy.

Stanford at Arizona

Stanford's defense was picked apart last week by Sean Canfield and their ball control offense wasn't suited to play "catch-up" after they fell behind early. Look for the Wildcats to employ the same formula. Wildcats 27-18

Washington at Arizona State

On an emotional high following last Saturday's escape, the Huskies could use a road win if they expect to finish the season in the upper half of the conference standings. Against Washington State, the Sun Devils didn't offer any evidence they were close to putting anything resembling an offense together and that isn't likely to change in just one week. Give the advantage the Huskies on that count, 23-17