The PAC-10 Goes Off the Cupcake Diet, and Goes National

Here are the week three games, which will tell a lot about the strength of the conference and the potential of the individual teams:

Iowa at Arizona
ASU at Wisconsin
Wake Forest at Stanford
Houston at UCLA
USC at Minnesota
Nebraska at Washington
Cal at Nevada (Friday night)
Louisville at Oregon State
Washington State at Southern Methodist

Of course, the Ducks play Portland State in Week 3. Their significant out of conference test is this week when they travel to Knoxville to meet the Volunteers. They had last night to feel good about a big victory. Now they have to get to work in earning another one.

The week 2 conference slate is more of a mixed bag, some gimmes, some challenges, and a preponderance of nightgames:

12:30 PM Colorado @ California
4:00 PM Syracuse @ Washington
4:00 PM Montana State @ Washington State
4:00 PM #11 Oregon @ Tennessee
7:00 PM Northern Arizona @ Arizona State
7:00 PM Citadel @ Arizona
7:30 PM Stanford @ UCLA
7:30 PM Virginia @ #14 USC
(Oregon State has a much-needed bye)

California, Washington and USC step up to actual division one opponents, while Stanford and UCLA begin conference play. That will be a stern test for the Bruins coming off a road loss. Oregon travels to Tennessee and a road game against an SEC opponent in front of a big crowd, a huge adjustment after an easy opening win. Washington State has their best chance for a victory, while the Arizona schools are slated for another tuneup.