Week 9 Previews

It's a light slate for the Pac-10 this week, only three conference games plus an epic intrastate battle between Oregon and Portland State.

USC vs Oregon State (+11.5)

The Beavers have looked pretty good in the last two weeks, beating the Huskies and the Wildcats. Hey Coach Riley, isn't it amazing what happens when you actually run the ball? But it won't matter this week. If Yvenson Bernard is out, and this list of players from Building the Dam are way less than 100 percent, OSU has no chance. Barring the longest of longshots, like Buster Douglas long, the Trojans will take this one in Corvallis. The question becomes how well will USC play and did the bye week give them enough time to get back where everyone expects them to be. They haven't looked like the same team since beating the Razorbacks worse than Ike beat Tina. For the Pac-10's sake, let's hope they come out firing.

What the Trojans should watch out for: Another slow day on offense

What the Beavers should watch out for: Yvenson Bernard’s ankle

Brian’s Pick: USC -11.5

Mike’s Pick: USC - 11.5

Arizona State vs Washington (+1.5)

After having to deal with Oregon, USC and Cal in consecutive weeks, the Sun Devils got a break last week by playing Stanford. The Huskies meanwhile have lost three straight, and surprisingly competitive, Pac-10 games to USC, Cal and OSU. Both teams are trying to find themselves after getting off to solid starts. With only have one gimme left (Stanford for UW and Arizona for ASU), whoever wins this game shouldn’t have a problem finishing bowl-eligible (Hello, Emerald Bowl!!!). If Carl Bonnell can cut down on the INTs, UW should be in a position to win this game. But with a newfound running attack and a shockingly efficient Rudy Carpenter, ASU will make this a game. Oh and this week, the Huskies don’t need to be watching for opposing players driving the injury cart around the field.

What the Sun Devils should watch out for: Michael Houston stealing their cars

What the Huskies should watch out for: Ryan Torain & Co.

Brian’s Pick: Washington +1.5

Mike’s Pick: Washington +1.5

Portland State vs Oregon

This one shouldn’t be close. Bellotti doesn’t lose home games, especially to 1-AA teams. It’s exactly what the Ducks need, too. After losing two of their last three games, Oregon needs to right the ship this week. If they don’t, well then we know for sure that they really aren’t the team everyone expected them to be and they don’t deserve a bowl game. I think this should be an actual rule: lose to a 1-AA team and you are no longer bowl eligible. Probably wouldn’t affect too many teams, but I think it makes sense. Anyways, Dennis Dixon gets a chance to redeem himself on Saturday in front of the Autzen faithful, and for their sake, he better do it. Plus the last time they played, Oregon won 41-0. Expect something similar here.

What the Vikings should watch out for: The Ducks RB tandem of Jonathan Stewart and Jeremiah Johnson

What the Ducks should watch out for: The Vikings DB tandem of Dominic Dixon and Odell Jackson

Brian’s Pick: Oregon

Mike’s Pick: Oregon

*The Pac-10 Game of the Week*

Washington State vs UCLA (-1)

This game looks a lot better now than it did a month ago. After getting whipped by Auburn and then beating Idaho, Baylor and Stanford, no one knew what to expect from the Cougars. But they played USC tough, limited Cal to 21 points and then forced the Ducks to bench their Heisman hopeful for Ryan Leaf's brother. At this point, it's probably safe to say that WSU is the third best team in the Pac-10. That's bad news for the Bruins. While they hung tough against Notre Dame and probably should have won, they have now lost two games in a row and are tied with OSU for fifth in the Pac-10. The Cougars want third place all to themselves, so they’ll give the Bruins a healthy dose of Dwight Tardy and hope that Alex Brink builds on last week’s upset of Oregon.

What the Cougars should watch out for: Whether UCLA brings their ND or UO defense

What the Bruins should watch out for: Alex Brink remembering to find Jason Hill

Brian’s Pick: Washington State +1

Mike’s Pick: UCLA -1