Pac 10 Fearless Predictions, Sept. 1

The Pac 10 has a great slew of week one games, highlighted by Cal's battle with Tennessee and Arizona's date at BYU, but the conference race also gets going as UCLA takes on Stanford in Jim Harbaugh's Cardinal coaching debut.

Pac 10  
Arizona | Arizona St |  California | Oregon | Oregon St
Stanford | UCLA | USC | Washington | Washington St 

Pac 10 Week One Fearless Predictions, Part 2

Pac 10 Fearless Predictions Sept. 8 | Sept. 15 | Sept. 22 | Sept. 29 
Oct. 6 | Oct. 13 | Oct. 20 | Oct. 27 | Nov. 3 | Nov. 10 | Nov. 17 | Nov. 24 | Dec. 1

Pac 10 Game of the Week

Tennessee at California 8:00 PM ABC Saturday, September 1st
Why to watch: The only game of the opening weekend featuring Top 25 teams is a rematch of last year’s 35-18 Tennessee win that was even worse than the score indicated.  If there’s such a thing as a must-win situation in Week One, this is it for Cal, who despite blowing out Texas A&M in the Holiday Bowl, is still looking for national respect, at least from the SEC folk.  Even without RB Marshawn Lynch, the Bear offense will again be prolific behind big junior QB Nate Longshore and one of the most dangerous receiving corps in America.  After excelling as a spare part for years, 5-8 Justin Forsett gets a grand stage to show that he’s not too small to carry the load in the running game.  Cal won’t be the only team with something to prove in Berkeley as Tennessee has to start showing it’s Tennessee again.  Without an SEC title since 1998 and with barely a hint of any noise in the national title race since winning it all almost a decade ago, the natives are getting restless.  The Vols are light on star power in 2007, which is why plenty of first-year players will contribute and QB Erik Ainge is being counted on to have the best season of his up-and-down college career. 
Why Tennessee might win: Cal can score, but can it stop a quality SEC opponent from going up and down the field?  This is the Bears’ first game without defensive stars Brandon Mebane, Desmond Bishop, and Daymeion Hughes, something that won’t be lost on Ainge as he begins implementing UT’s new no-huddle offense.  Cal is green at corner and suspect up front, which means lots of time for Ainge and enough running room for Arian Foster to keep the Bear offense in hibernation.  This is still Tennessee, and there are still plenty of NFL caliber athletes, even if they’re not household names quite yet.  
Why Cal might win: Last September, Tennessee had the dynamite receivers and Cal had the secondary that was still in diapers.  This year, the roles are reversed.  The Vols’ first test with three new starters in the defensive backfield comes against the quartet of Jackson, Lavelle Hawkins, Robert Jordan, and tight end Craig Stevens, which combined for 168 receptions in 2006.  Tennessee is also very soft in the middle, so look for Alex Mack to create space for Forsett and James Montgomery, while displaying why he’s one of the nation’s premier centers.      
Who to watch: Last September, then-freshman CB Syd’Quan Thompson became the poster boy for Cal’s loss to UT, getting burned repeatedly by Robert Meachem and Jayson Swain.  Today, he’s one of the emotional leaders of the defense, who’ll be on a mission to shut down a Volunteer receiving corps that’s a far cry from last year’s group.  Also worth within will be the matchup of Tennessee’s Britton Colquitt and Cal’s DeSean Jackson, the SEC’s best punter and the nation’s premier punt returner, respectively.
What will happen: After getting embarrassed and knocked down a peg a year ago, Cal will get revenge on Tennessee in one of the biggest wins of the Jeff Tedford era.  The Vols will get their yards, making heavy use of TEs Chris Smith and Brad Cottam, but it won’t be enough with the Bear offense clicking.  Jackson will crank out a highlight reel play that’ll ignite the home crowd and earn him some early Heisman attention in a thrilling, game that’ll be as good as advertised. 
CFN Prediction: California 30 … Tennessee 24 ... Line: California -5.5
Must See Rating: (5 Hef wants you to take his place on The Girls Next Door, but you can’t because you have to watch this game - 1 Cavemen) ... 4.5
Final Score: 

Pac 10 Thursday, August 30

Utah at Oregon State  10:00 PM FSN Regional
Why to watch: While Utah welcomes back its franchise passer after a 21-month hiatus, Oregon State spent the entire off-season trying to decide on its quarterback of the future.  Brian Johnson makes his long-awaited return to the Utes from a serious ACL tear that prematurely ended his 2005 season.  At the time, he was ripping through the Mountain West en route to becoming one of the nation’s premier dual-threats.  Flanked by the league’s best receiving corps, a bigger and stronger Johnson is ready to pick up where he left off two years ago and become the star of the Mountain West.  The Beavers, on the other hand, are still working on finding its leader. Sophomore Sean Canfield gets the nod to start, but he struggled to get separation from unheralded Lyle Moevao, who’ll get his audition in the second quarter .  Both will spend plenty of time getting the ball to multi-dimensional RB Yvenson Bernard, who’s been ultra-productive as a runner and a receiver throughout his career.  Oregon State’s longshot bid of storming the Pac-10 gates in 2007 will suffer a major blow if last weekend’s return of Sammie Stroughter from a mysterious absence winds up being just a tease.
Why Utah might win: The Utes’ strength on offense, the passing game, is sure to attack a Beaver secondary that’s rife with question marks.  Yeah, three starters return, but Oregon State allows too many big plays through the air and no longer has Sabby Piscitelli to cover for some of the mistakes by the cornerbacks.  Johnson will have a ton of viable options when he drops back, including Derrek Richards and Brent Casteel, who combined for 99 receptions and 16 touchdown catches a year ago.
Why Oregon State might win: The best way to keep the Utah offense quiet is to not allow it on the field.  With the Ute defense looking to replace three all-league performers, and noticeably average on the interior, the Beavers will control the clock with Bernard and one of the nastiest offensive lines in America.  Just when Utah begins to overcommit to the run, Canfield and Moevao will play-action their way to big chunks of real estate against a secondary playing its first game without all-timer Eric Weddle.
Who to watch: Utah’s Zane Beadles will be a marked man Thursday night.  The sophomore is shifting from left guard to left tackle to replace the injured Jason Boone, the Utes’ best blocker.  Johnson’s blindside will be protected by a novice, which will be a huge concern against Oregon State’s seasoned ends, Jeff Van Orsow and Dorian Smith. 
What will happen: In an entertaining opener, the Utes will move the ball and flirt for a while with the upset before running out of steam in the second half.  Playing with something to prove, Bernard will be the catalyst in Corvallis, wearing out the Utah defense, while racking up 150 total yards and two scores.
CFN Prediction: Oregon State 33 … Utah 24 ... Line: Oregon State -7
Must See Rating: (5 Hef wants you to take his place on The Girls Next Door, but you can’t because you have to watch this game - 1 Cavemen) ... 3.5
Final Score:

Pac 10 Friday, August 31

Washington at Syracuse 8:00 PM ESPN
Why to watch: For a couple of once-proud programs that have really struggled over the last five seasons, this is a much-needed chance to get a fast start on national TV with a momentum-building out-of-conference win.  The game-within-the-game features a pair of young, upwardly mobile quarterbacks that are about to become the faces of their respective programs.  UW redshirt freshman Jake Locker was the prize of Tyrone Willingham’s second recruiting class.  At 6-3 and 215 pounds, he has the dual-threat potential and magnetic personality to reach rock star status around Seattle.  On the other side, head coach Greg Robinson’s job security could hinge on the development of Andrew Robinson, arguably the best thing behind center in Upstate New York since Donovan McNabb was an amateur.  The sophomore has a live right arm and access to the Orange’s best corps of receivers in years.  The upper hand in a toss-up game goes to the program that can establish the run and make big stops in pass defense, neither of which happened with much regularity in 2006.
Why Washington might win: While not exactly an elite unit, the Husky offensive line is big and physical enough to wear down a pedestrian Syracuse front seven that’ll be breaking in five new starters.  With some space, Louis Rankin and J.R. Hasty can move the chains on the ground, taking some pressure off Locker in his debut.  Robinson won’t be so fortunate.  His protection will struggle with a veteran Washington line that can bring outside pressure with feisty ends Greyson Gunheim and Daniel Te’o-Nesheim, and his backfield is being thinned by injuries.
Why Syracuse might win: The single greatest mismatch Friday night will be when an undermanned and overmatched Husky secondary tries to shut down the Orange receivers.  Led by Mike Williams and Taj Smith, the group is big, fast, and on the brink of a breakout season.  Already the weak link of the defense, Washington is without CB Jordan Murchison, who was slated to start before getting into legal trouble.  Given time, Robinson will have a field day against one of the Pac-10’s softest pass defenses.  
Who to watch: For Locker and the U-Dub program, this could be the start of something big.  While it’s ridiculously unfair for such labels to be placed on freshmen, there’s no doubt he’s being hailed as the Huskies’ savior.  A rare road win for Washington will only raise the already lofty expectations for Locker around the Pacific Northwest.
What will happen: While it won’t be a work of art, Washington will gut out a tough win behind a balanced offense and the leadership of Locker.  Marcel Reece will upstage the Orange receivers, catching the decisive touchdown pass and laying the foundation for an outstanding senior season. 
CFN Prediction: Washington 24... Syracuse 20... Line: UW -3
Must See Rating: (5 Hef wants you to take his place on The Girls Next Door, but you can’t because you have to watch this game - 1 Cavemen) ... 2.5
Final Score:    

Pac 10 Saturday, September 1

Washington State at Wisconsin 3:30 PM ABC
Why to Watch: Alright Wisconsin, it's go time. You have everyone's attention. You have the high ranking. You seemingly have the talent and the team in place to make a possible run to the BCS, but first, you have to prove to a slightly skeptical college football world that you're more than just an above-average team that had a cakewalk of a schedule. Alright Washington State, it's go time. After four years of mediocrity under head coach Bill Doba, and after seemingly inventing ways to not go to a bowl game, a good performance against a name team is a must. In an opening weekend full of dud games and sure-thing mismatches, this could be a good litmus test for two top conferences. Wisconsin has to win impressively, or everyone might have to take a step back from their Badger love for a few weeks, while Washington State has show that it can eventually become a player in the Pac 10 race.
Why Washington State Might Win: While the Cougar defensive front might not be outstanding, it has a nice mix of big bodies and good athletes that should be able to attack from all angles and generate consistent pressure in the backfield. While it's a new year and a new team, to compare to 2006, Wisconsin faced three teams with good, athletic defensive fronts: Michigan (loss), Penn State (a 13-3 struggle of a win) and Arkansas (an ugly 17-14 win that saw the ground game go nowhere). The Cougars might give up yards in bunches at times, but they'll also get their share of big defensive plays. However, all that pressure means ...
Why Wisconsin Might Win: ... the underappreciated Badger receiving corps should come up with a ton, a TON, of big plays against a Cougar secondary that lacks experience and top-shelf talent. Most know about TE Travis Beckum, who should go crazy underneath with the Wazzu linebackers cheating up to stop RB P.J. Hill, but it's the big speedy guys on the outside, Paul Hubbard and Luke Swan, who need to shine. If QB Tyler Donovan gets a little bit of time, he should have all the deep passes he wants to make. That'll only open things up that much more for Hill.
Who to Watch: While there really wasn't a major quarterback derby in Madison, it wasn't until this week that Donovan was officially named the starter over improving Kansas State transfer Allan Evridge. Donovan has spent three years as a backup and was instrumental late last year, especially in the win over Iowa, when John Stocco was hurt, and now he has to be effective as the No. 1 to keep the heat off the ground attack. As the best running quarterback the Badger attack has had in years, Donovan will provide an element sorely missing when Stocco and Jim Sorgi were under center. For Washington State, it all comes down to senior Alex Brink. A four-year starter with a live arm and nice receiving corps, led by Michael Bumpus, to work with, he needs to come up with a huge performance to pull off the upset.
What Will Happen: Washington State will come up with its share of big plays on both sides of the ball, but the steady balance of the Badger offense, with a nice blend of yards from Hill and Donovan, will control the game from the start. It's not going to be easy, and there will be a few shaky spots, but Wisconsin will pull away in the fourth quarter.
CFN Prediction: Wisconsin 34 ... Washington State 17 ... Line: Wisconsin -14
Must See Rating: (5 Hef wants you to take his place on The Girls Next Door, but you can’t because you have to watch this game - 1 Cavemen) ... 3
Final Score:   

UCLA at Stanford  3:30 PM FSN
Why to watch: Is this the season that UCLA plays like a bona fide national power that can truly compete for a Pac-10 title and its first Rose Bowl since 1998?  The returning talent is in place, particularly on defense, for a statement season, but the Bruins need to drum up more offensive firepower.  Too often last year, they stumbled offensively and got way too conservative in enemy territory, creating an opportunity for new coordinator Jay Norvell and his up-tempo West Coast system.  While Norvell will lean on workhorse RB Chris Markey, he needs big lefty Ben Olson to finally blossom into the quarterback that every major program had to have five years ago.  With new Stanford head coach Jim Harbaugh comes fresh optimism and a much-needed upbeat attitude to a program that went 1-11 last season and hasn’t bowled in six years.  No doubt there’s future NFL talent on the Farm, but it’s going to take time for the new staff to parlay that into wins and an exit from the Pac-10 cellar.  With Harbaugh, at least the press conferences will be more colorful.
Why UCLA might win: Where’s a true cupcake when you need a more manageable opener?  Stanford is  going to eventually make strides offensively under Harbaugh, but drawing a stingy UCLA defense that returns ten starters is no way to build confidence.  The Cardinal can forget about running the ball on the Pac-10’s top run defense, and QB T.C. Ostrander doesn’t have the tackles to prevent All-American DE Bruce Davis from tormenting him all afternoon.  This is a Stanford team that needs plenty of time before it becomes more than just a speed bump, and it’s not going to have the offensive punch in place.   
Why Stanford might win: Last year’s numbers don’t back it up, but the Cardinal has four or five defensive players who’ll someday be playing on Sundays.  Under Karl Dorrell, UCLA has typically been slow out of the gate offensively, and this Saturday, it’ll be playing its first game in a new system.  Stanford CB Wopamo Osaisai, in particular, is a game-changing ball hawk with a clear edge on an average group of Bruin receivers.  If the UCLA offense sputters, the home team and the home crowd are going to sense an opportunity to author the weekend’s biggest upset. The pressure is all on UCLA; Stanford should be able to play loose.
Who to watch: Olson.  UCLA is a good team no matter what they get from the passing game, but to be great, it needs Olson to become the headliner of an offense that’s short on star power.  Before getting hurt last October, he was showing signs of fulfilling his vast potential.  Beginning in Palo Alto, he has to elevate the play of his supporting cast and squelch any notion that backup Patrick Cowan deserves the ball.
What will happen: The difference for UCLA, as it was much of last year, will be the play of the defense, which will contain a real good Stanford receiving corps and sack Ostrander a minimum of five times.  At least for the next two weekends, the Bruins can enjoy the view from atop the Pac-10 conference.
CFN Prediction: UCLA 31 … Stanford 13 ... Line: UCLA -16.5
Must See Rating: (5 Hef wants you to take his place on The Girls Next Door, but you can’t because you have to watch this game - 1 Cavemen) ... 2

Pac 10 Week One Fearless Predictions, Part 2