DG on PX - Picking the Pac

It's a full Saturday in the Bay Area, starting with a battle of upstarts when Stanford hosts undefeated UCLA. The nightcap is a Rose Bowl elimination game between USC and Cal.

Year to date - 25-8 straight up, 11-19 against the spread

UCLA at Stanford, 12:30 p.m.
My Pick – Stanford 20, UCLA 17
Why I’m Thinking the Way I’m Thinking – If the Cardinal can make the much-improved Jake Locker struggle, imagine what will happen to Kevin Craft. That said, these two rushing attacks and defenses all but guarantee a down-to-the-wire, one possession game. That should give the edge to the home team, especially if the Bruins are crazy enough to kick to Chris Owusu or let Toby Gerhart get rolling.
If I’m Wrong, I Will – Jump onto the burgeoning UCLA bandwagon.

Washington at Notre Dame, 12:30 p.m.
My Pick – Notre Dame 28, Washington 27
Why I’m Thinking the Way I’m Thinking – Save Nevada, when the Irish had a whole summer to prepare, every Notre Dame game has come down to the wire and I don’t expect anything different this week. For all his aggressiveness, John Tenuta’s defense has been shredded by three young Big Ten quarterbacks and must now handle Jake Locker’s tremendous skill set. If the Huskies can get any sort of defense or running game, they should win but the atmosphere of Notre Dame will overwhelm a young team.
If I’m Wrong, I Will – Expect the UW roller coaster to take another dip next weekend.

Oregon State at Arizona State, 4:00 p.m.
My Pick – Oregon State 17, Arizona State 14
Why I’m Thinking the Way I’m Thinking – The Beavers are too dependant on the brothers Rodgers, who are averaging 271.5 of the team’s 391.5 yards of total offense. Sean Canfield needs another option or two to emerge at receiver, but that will be nearly impossible against Arizona State. The defense is exceeding its preseason hype, but quarterback Danny Sullivan is going through his own struggles. As limited as Oregon State might be on offense, they are leaps and bounds ahead of ASU.
If I’m Wrong, I Will – Pronounce Oregon State is right where it wants to be.

USC at California, 5:00 p.m.
My Pick – USC 27, Cal 23
Why I’m Thinking the Way I’m Thinking – The Pac-10 Game of the Year got knocked down a notch the last two weekends, but should be another Bears-Trojans war. Including last year’s 17-3 USC win, that saw a late Ronald Johnson TD catch for the final margin, six of the last seven meetings have been decided in the fourth quarter. Cal has to keep the pass rush off Kevin Riley, as USC ranks second nationally in sacks (4.5 per game). The Bears are no slouch either, averaging 4.25 per game, so protection will be paramount to give Riley or Matt Barkley enough time to seize the day.
If I’m Wrong, I Will – Wonder how many tickets USC will sell to the Holiday Bowl.

Washington State at Oregon, 6:15 p.m.
My Pick – Oregon 41, Washington State 13
Why I’m Thinking the Way I’m Thinking – Look who’s back. The Ducks look nothing like the squad that was dismantled at Boise State, instead dishing out domination over a then-Top Ten Cal team. As long as they maintain that intensity, Oregon will have no problems against Washington State, which is showing signs of life. Freshman quarterback Jeff Tuel will get the start for the Cougars and should feel confident after a solid effort at USC.
If I’m Wrong, I Will – Proclaim Paul Wulff coach of the year.