Pac-10 Predictions

4-1 last week, 51-9 on the season. With six wins the threshold for bowl eligibility and USC ineligible, the conference will not fill all its bowl slots. A quick review of the standings:

Team (Conf, Overall, Remaining Games)

Oregon 6-0 9-0 at Cal, Arizona, at OSU

Stanford 5-1 8-1 at ASU, at Cal, OSU

Arizona 4-2 7-2 USC, at Ore, ASU

OSU 3-2 4-4 WSU, USC, at Stan, Ore

USC 3-3 6-3 @UA, @OSU, ND, @UCLA

Cal 3-3 5-4 Ore, Stan, UW

UCLA 2-4 4-5 at UW, at ASU, USC

ASU 2-4 4-5 Stan, UCLA, at Ariz

UW 2-4 3-6 UCLA, at Cal at WSU

WSU 0-7 1-9 at OSU, UW

Prediction: Oregon wins out and plays TCU in the national championship, Stanford goes to the Rose Bowl. Arizona to the Alamo, OSU to the Holiday, Cal to the Emerald, UCLA to the Vegas at 6-6.

But that's too much looking ahead. Here's a look at this week's games:

Washington State at Oregon State

The Beavers thrive on these kinds of games, and they'll heal the wounds of last week's painful last second loss to UCLA on some of the most questionable timekeeping since the '72 Olympics. At home the Bruins got a 12-yard out and a juke at the sideline with three seconds on the clock, the referees announced overtime, huddled, watched the replay, and put a second back on the clock for a game-winning field goal. The Beavs get healthy at the expense of the Cougars, who won't have an answer for Rodgers inside and Katz overtop.

OSU 37, WSU 24

Stanford at Arizona State

ASU's 4-5 record includes two wins over FCS schools, and they could go 0-3 in their last three games. Mike Bellotti might be announced as the new Sun Devil coach by Christmas. The Cardinal should win out, beginning with this afternoon game in Tempe. Arizona's speed should make it interesting, but Stanford's discipline and execution will win the day.

Stanford 28, Arizona State 21

USC at Arizona

This game is the hardest to figure. Arizona, coming off a loss to Stanford, has the second-best home field advantage in the conference with the 'Zona Zoo. Andrew Luck torched the Wildcat secondary for 293 yards, and Barkley has much better receivers in Woods and Johnson. Nick Foles looked out of synch in his first game back from a dislocated knee cap; he figures to be sharper at home in his second game. The Trojans had trouble with Arizona State last week, needing a blocked extra point and a late field goal to win 34-33. The Wildcats have more to play for, home field, and more depth. Mark Schlabach has this game as his upset special. Zona hangs on.

Arizona 38 USC 35