The second week of the season is a traditionally bland week across the country with many matchups between BCS programs and non-BCS/I-AA programs. This was no different in the Pac 10 aside from Oregon State’s ill-fated trip to Happy Valley which was anything but happy. The Beavers clearly are going to have a horrible season unless they get drastically better play on both sides of the line, they better beat Hawaii because they are going to have major trouble not being 1-4 . Washington showed they have some heart but were torpedoed by a correct interpretation of a terrible rule. The Huskies deserved overtime but there lack of blocking on the 35 yard PAT attempt was as bad as the call that led to the 15 yard penalty on Locker. Oregon, ASU, Zona and Cal put up incredible offensive numbers while WSU looks like they have a great shot at not winning a game in league play. The LA schools were off but this week both face harsh tests in Ohio State and BYU. This week is packed with great games so I am glad to not be at Autzen for a week and to be home in front of the TV.
1. USC (1) – Nice to have a bye week before Ohio State. Pete Carroll doesn’t lose non-conference games, particularly at home. I see USC winning but I might think about taking the points with OSU if I was a betting man.
2. Cal (4) – Unlike UO and ASU the Bears blew out a patsy on the road rather than at home. This team is getting slept on by the media but faces a long road trip out east to play at 9 AM Pacific to an angry and embarrassed Maryland team who lost a Sun Belt team. Cal should roll but the game will be closer than the talent difference because of the time and distance factor.
3. UO (3) – The Ducks played great setting a record for most offensive yards in a game. This record wouldn’t have likely been broken if the Ducks had forced any turnovers. This led to longer drives and more yards. Expect to see a very slow turf at Purdue to try and slow down Oregon. Purdue will get some points but I think the Ducks will wear them down in the end. Blount actually maybe more effective on grass than turf so I’d expect to see a two-headed attack with him and Johnson in the same backfield from time to time.
4. ASU (2) – ASU played fine against Stanford, I dropped them because I think at this point Oregon and Cal are better teams. UNLV should present no problem at all to the Devils.
5. UCLA (5) – The state of Utah has not been kind to UCLA and I expect the Cougars to pull out the win against the rested Bruins. UCLA got mauled last year by the Utes but have played the Cougars many times over the last few seasons so no one should be surprised at what each team throws at the other even with the additions of Chow and Neuheisal.
6. Arizona (6) – Rolled up on Toledo but now face a dicey game against rival New Mexico in Albuquerque. This is a game that always means more to UNM than to UA and Rocky Long’s boys won last year in Tucson. Dangerous game for UA.
7. LSJU (8) – They played tough for the first half but faded to the more talented ASU team. Stanford I think is one year away from a bowl game, the schedule is too tough this year with only 5 home dates. The face a fairly tough TCU team coming off a disappointing 2007 campaign. The Trees if they want to have a chance at a bowl game can’t afford to lose games like this one.
8. UW (10) – The Dawgs played their hearts out but in the end lost, in part to a stupid rule. Unfortunately Oklahoma comes in this week to Montlake. With a bye week coming up next week expect to see Willingham resign or be fired this Saturday night.
9. OSU (7) – There is no doubt that the Beavs have some very talented skill position players but they need to shore up the line play and they need to do it ASAP. Hawaii they should be able to outmuscle for once but USC is in the wings on Thursday the 25th. They need to put Penn State game behind them.
10. WSU (10) – Baylor likely presents the last best chance for a win versus a 1-A opponent for the Cougars, though you never know what can happen in an Apple Cup. Getting routed the way they did versus Cal at home is beyond painful.
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