Arizona State gets a much needed break this week, after getting destroyed by Oregon and Cal in their last two games. Everyone else plays this weekend, including a game with Touchdown Jesus.
Washington vs USC
The Trojans are coming off a win over the Cougars that was a little too close for comfort. Yeah, they extended their 20 point scoring streak, but they only won by 6 and gave up more yards then they gained. That is not what USC fans are used to seeing and they are a different team than they have been the last few years. The same can be said for UW. After being a Pac-10 doormat for the last two seasons, Washington is now a team on the rise. After a surprisingly close win against San Jose State, the Huskies responded by hanging with Oklahoma, in Norman, and winning their first three conference games. This is a tough matchup for UW. Their pass defense is the worst in the Pac-10 and sooner or later, Sarkisian and Kiffin are going to take the reins off of Booty. If it is this week, it won’t be good news for the Huskies. At least there is some good news for UW: USC historically doesn’t do well against mobile quarterbacks and Isaiah Stanback is the definition of mobile. While Stanback has helped to make Husky Stadium a tough place for road teams to win, this game is in the Coliseum and the USC defense is extremely fast this season. UW doesn’t quite have the balance yet to knock off the Trojans at home.
What UW should watch out for: Booty throwing downfield
What USC should watch out for: Stanback outside the pocket
Brian’s Pick: USC
Mike’s Pick: USC
Arizona vs UCLA
This one is a battle between two disappointing teams. Arizona was looking to move up the Pac-10 food chain this season and they have done anything but. After scoring a mere 13 points in their first two Pac-10 games, Willie Tuitama really needs to mount a couple of scoring drives and he needs to do it soon. That could be a tough task this week, as the Bruins have the Pac-10’s best defense to go against the Wildcat’s and the Pac-10’s worst offense. I give them a much better chance next week in Palo Alto.
What Arizona should watch out for: Southpaw Jesus becoming a real quarterback
What UCLA should watch out for: Willie Tuitama becoming a real quarterback
Brian’s Pick: UCLA
Mike’s Pick: UCLA
Washington State vs Oregon State
Alex Brink lit up the Beaver secondary for more than 500 yards in last year’s loss in Corvallis. Cougar fan is looking for a similar performance from Brink this week. After a valiant showing against USC, WSU is looking for a reproduction of that effort to translate into victories, not losses. The Beavers were absolutely clobbered last week by Cal in Corvallis, and evidently that won’t prompt Riley to move Sean Canfield into the starting lineup. I’m still not sure what Matt Moore has done to solidify his position as the starting quarterback, but it better result in a Pac-10 victory sometime soon. He will have to watch his back all day, as Mkristo Bruce continues to be an absolute terror on the edge for the Cougars. The Beavers may still be demoralized from their loss at Cal’s hands, while WSU is still on an upswing from their inspired effort against the Trojans. OSU hasn’t proven anything to anyone yet this year, except maybe Dennis Erickson, while WSU showed it can hang with USC.
What OSU should watch out for: Alex Brink finding Jason Hill
Mike’s Pick: Washington State
Stanford vs Notre Dame
Is this even worth a preview? Notre Dame has a pretty good offense, Stanford has a terrible defense and this one is in South Bend. The only question is whether or not the Irish are going to cover the 30 point spread. I say yes.
What Stanford should watch out for: Notre Dame
What Notre Dame should watch out for: That they don’t slip on the way onto the field
Brian’s Pick: Notre Dame
Mike’s Pick: Notre Dame
*Pac-10 Game of the Week*
Oregon vs Cal
This is it. Probably the best matchup we will see all year in the Pac-10. Two powerhouse offenses, the top two in the Pac-10 and both top ten nationally, each going up against two tough scoring defenses. Both teams have weak run defenses, but Oregon has the 11th ranked pass defense in the country and Cal ranks only 93rd. I don’t know that any of that really matters this week. Nate Longshore and Dennis Dixon will both be threading passes to DeSean Jackson and Jaison Williams while Marshawn Lynch and Jonathan Stewart run wild. If anyone likes to see points go up on the board, this is the game to watch. I’ll put the over/under on punts in this game at 3.5.
What Oregon should watch out for: Daymeion Hughes’ side of the field
What Cal should watch out for: Longshore leading his receivers over the middle
Mike’s Pick: Cal
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