Pac-10 Previews, Oct. 25

Basketball, Bears and blowouts set the stage for a compelling week nine in the Pac-10.

-Timing is on Stoops’ side
Lute Olson is out. That means Mike Stoops is in.

The equation seems strange, but the reports Thursday that Olson will step down as Arizona men’s basketball coach has tremendous impact on Stoops’ future.

Basketball has been a cash cow for the Wildcats and athletic director Jim Livengood will be focused on keeping the program profitable with a national coaching search.

Why take on the added cost of looking for a new head man for the football program at the same time? Barring a total collapse that keeps Arizona at home in December, Stoops has earned a contract extension.

He can lock down his status Saturday night in the biggest game ever at Arizona Stadium.

A win over USC puts the ‘Cats in control of their own destiny in the Pac-10 and makes a first-ever Rose Bowl berth a very real possibility.

To do so, they need to protect QB Willie Tuitama, maintain offensive balance and shutdown the run. Unfortunately, USC will likely be without Joe McKnight which actually improves its rushing attack by giving more carries to junior Stafon Johnson and sophomore C.J. Gable, who are much more disciplined between the tackles.

-Hibernating Bears?
Jeff Tedford, please just pick a starter.

Another week of quarterback roulette will end with a UCLA win and a push for a bowl by the Bruins, stunning considering they have yet to put together a complete 60 minutes this season.

-Angels and Devils
Penciling in the two remaining games against the Washington schools as wins, the Sun Devils still need to find a couple of strong efforts to reach a bowl.

If they reach six wins, it will probably happen in spite of their offense.

With just 24 points in its last three games, Arizona State is clearly struggling. The offensive line has regressed, if that’s possible after allowing 55 sacks last season, and Rudy Carpenter is feeling the effects.

The defense is actually playing well, creating five turnovers against USC in its last game. If they hope to upset Oregon, it must start with pressure on the quarterback, be it Justin Roper returning from a knee injury of Jeremiah Masoli.

-UDub disaster
What will it take for the administration at Washington to pull the plug on embattled – a truly generous way to describe his standing – coach Tyrone Willingham?

Ever since Jake Locker plowed across the goal line against BYU, it has been all down hill for the Huskies. The atrocious celebration penalty, Locker’s injury, blowout losses and trouble on the recruiting front have all but assured there will be a new coach on Montlake next year.

Now Washington, dead last in pass efficiency defense, faces Notre Dame and Charlie Weis will have no qualms about running it up on his predecessor to the delight of subway alums everywhere.

They draw USC next week and should be pummeled yet again. Perhaps that will be enough to end the Willingham experiment once and for all.

Pac-10 Picks (22-8 Straight up, 15-10 Against the spread)
USC 34 Arizona 20
Oregon 35 Arizona State 17
Cal 31 UCLA 24
Notre Dame 38 Washington 14