DG on PX - Picking the Pac

Halloween night is setting up as the game of the year in the Pac-10, but only if USC and Oregon can survive tough challengers this week.

Year to date - 34-12 straight up, 19-24 against the spread

Oregon at Washington, 12:30 p.m.
My Pick – Oregon 27, Washington 17
Why I’m Thinking the Way I’m Thinking – If the Ducks want to beat USC next week, they need quarterback Jeremiah Masoli (knee) healthy and running the ball. On Montlake this Saturday, whether it’s Masoli or Nate Costa leading Oregon, he has to find ways to score red-zone touchdowns. Settling for field goals killed USC and Arizona at Husky Stadium and could trip up the Ducks if they aren’t careful.
If I’m Wrong, I Will – Figure out how this proves Boise State has no business near the BCS title game.

Washington State at Cal, 1:30 p.m.
My Pick –Cal 45, Washington State 13
Why I’m Thinking the Way I’m Thinking – Assuming the Golden Bears maintain their intensity, this one will be over by the second quarter.
If I’m Wrong, I Will – Gird my loins in advance of another week of online nuclear war on Jeff Tedford.

UCLA at Arizona, 3:30 p.m.
My Pick – Arizona 33, UCLA 19
Why I’m Thinking the Way I’m Thinking – Don’t look now, but the Wildcats might be in position to shock the Pac-10. Quarterback Nick Foles is getting better by the week and now draws a Bruins defense that seemingly can’t get out of its own way. Outside of kicker Kai Forbath, well on his way to earning the team’s MVP award and All-America honors, UCLA’s offense isn’t faring much better. In the desert, nothing’s going to change that equation.
If I’m Wrong, I Will – Dream up new ways to trash Arizona coach Mike Stoops.

Oregon State at USC, 5:00 p.m.
My Pick – USC 31, Oregon State 17
Why I’m Thinking the Way I’m Thinking – The Beavers won last year in the trenches, pushing USC around in a way not seen since 2001. Most of those players, however, are in the NFL now and the Trojan defensive line is as formidable as it has since the Wild Bunch II. Getting pressure on quarterback Sean Canfield and having disciplined linebackers who will stick to their assignments against star tailback Jacquizz Rodgers sets up the game of the year next week in Eugene.
If I’m Wrong, I Will – Open JacquizzForHeisman.com.

Arizona State at Stanford, 7:15 p.m.
My Pick – Stanford 23, Arizona State 20
Why I’m Thinking the Way I’m Thinking – The Cardinal is 1-3 on the road, but 3-0 at Stanford Stadium; that’s got to count for something, right? Toby Gerhart is going to get his running the ball for Stanford, wearing down that stout Sun Devil front seven, giving quarterback Andrew Luck opportunities off play action.
If I’m Wrong, I Will – Regret not getting a credential for the USC-Arizona State game Nov. 7.