Pac-10 Predictions

The conference is shaping up, with four haves and six have-nots, and two of the contenders meeting head-to-head. The bowl representatives will be in the press boxes in their funny-colored jackets. A Stanford win and a UCLA win offer the most potential benefit to the Ducks, who probably won't need any help anyway. Season record is 47-8 after a 5-0 week last time.

CAL AT WASHINGTON STATE: Brock Mansion takes over for Kevin Riley, out for the year with a knee injury. The Bears haven't won on the road this season, but Martin stadium will be neither loud nor intimidating. Figure Shane Vereen to carry the load for the Cal offense. This might be the weekend the Cougs break through with a conference win. CAL 24, WSU 23.

ARIZONA AT STANFORD If Stanford wins, it solidifies Oregon's stranglehold on a repeat conference championship. An Arizona loss coupled with another Beaver loss (they still have to play at Stanford November 27) gives the Ducks a two game lead over the field. But that's loser talk--if the Ducks win out, they're flying first class to Glendale in January. This is clash of strengths. Stanford rushes for 223.8 yards per game, and the Arizona defense allows an average of just 88.4. But figure home field plus a healthy and sharp Andrew Luck gives Harbaugh the edge over Stoops in a match of the league's two most hated coaches. The over/under on camera shots of the sideline antics of these two intense characters is 50, 75 if the officiating crew makes multiple calls to the replay booth. STANFORD 27, ARIZONA 24.

OREGON STATE AT UCLA: Bruins need to win three of four to make a bowl, and the Beavs, oddly enough, still control their own destiny for the Rose Bowl at 3-1 in conference. UCLA is 26th in the country in rushing offense, 192.5 per game, and OSU is 70th defending the run, giving up 156 yards. Ryan Katz is a much better first-year starter than Richard Breahaut, while Quizz Rodgers is a better leader than anyone on the rudderless UCLA roster. The Beaver defense is suspect, 94th in the country after their first seven games. However, Oregon State has the fewest turnovers in the country, just four for the season. UCLA is among the worst turning the ball over with 21 giveaways. OSU 31, UCLA 24.

ARIZONA STATE AT USC: ASU coming off a beatdown of the Cougars, and the Trojans trying to rebound after being gassed and pancaked by the Ducks. At home, USC has way more talent, and a greater motivation to resurrect their season. Their pride was stung by Oregon's clear superiority. I'm thinking Jurrell Casey and his teammates take it out on Steven Threet. USC 28, ASU 17.