2009 Pac 10 Fearless Predictions
Week 14 ... Dec. 5 Games
-
Arizona
|
Arizona St
|
California
|
Oregon
|
Oregon St
-
Stanford |
UCLA
|
USC |
Washington
|
Washington St
Pac 10 Fearless Predictions
-
Week 1 |
USC vs. Ohio State |
Week 2
|
Week 3 |
Week 4
|
Week 5 |
Week
6
- Week 7
| Week
8 |
Week
9 | Week
10 |
Week 11 |
Week 12 |
Week 13
- Pac
10 Championship - Oregon State at Oregon
Arizona (7-4) at USC (8-3),3:30 EST, ABC, Saturday, December 5
Why to watch: A little over a month ago, this game looked as if it might have a bearing on the race for the Rose Bowl. Today? Not quite. Since Halloween, Arizona and USC have both lost a couple of crippling games, turning this week’s meeting in the Coliseum into little more than a chance to jockey for postseason positioning. The Trojans have proven to be an abundantly average team over the last month, sleepwalking through wins over Arizona State and UCLA, and getting ambushed by Oregon and Stanford. The next few weeks will be about restoring some pride around Troy and getting more reps for franchise QB Matt Barkley. For a change, Arizona was able to finish off an opponent, getting a last-second field goal from Alex Zendejas to slip past rival Arizona State, 20-17. This will be no ordinary finale for the Wildcats, which haven’t beaten USC since 2000 and have generally been dominated in the series.
Why Arizona might win: More than anything during the past month, USC’s rough patch revealed that the offense is rather pedestrian. Over the last four games, the Trojans have averaged only 20 points, rarely connecting on big plays that can spread the field out a bit. The Wildcats have the speed and the talent on defense to keep that trend going Saturday afternoon. They’re No. 2 in the league in total defense, and are quick enough on the periphery to contain the likes of RB Joe McKnight and WR Damian Williams. Arizona can apply pressure off the edge with ends Ricky Elmore and Brooks Reed, while locking down receivers with corners Devin Ross and Trevin Wade. USC is going to be dragged into another low-scoring game that could go either way in the fourth quarter.
Why USC might win: Yes, there have been an unusual number of hiccups this fall, but the Trojan defense remains flush with elite talent from top to bottom. It’s held seven opponents below 17 points this season, and when not facing balanced offenses, can be very difficult to navigate. Arizona has had problems establishing the run ever since Nic Grigsby and Keola Antolin were banged up, relying too heavily on QB Nick Foles and the passing game. If the ground game isn’t a concern, USC can drop linebackers Malcolm Smith and Chris Galippo into coverage to support FS Taylor Mays and corners Kevin Thomas and Josh Pinkard. The Trojans lead the Pac-10 in pass efficiency defense, which will make Foles’ life very difficult.
Who to watch: It’s not easy getting to the edge on the Arizona defense. USC knows this, which is why the north-south running of Allen Bradford could be particularly important this weekend. Running as if he’s channeling a young LenDale White, the junior has been a pleasant surprise since Stafon Johnson was lost for the season. A powerful 235-pounder, who’ll soften the Wildcat defense, he’s averaged more than six yards a carry and scored seven touchdowns.
What will happen: After the emotion of last week’s win over UCLA, will USC be adequately motivated for this game? It better be because the Wildcats will have no lack of passion or desire to kick the Trojans while they’re not at their peak. Much like it has in the last two wins, USC will survive on the strength of its defense, confusing Foles with different looks and picking off a couple of his passes to avoid the upset.
CFN Prediction: USC 27 … Arizona 17 ... Line: USC -7
Must See Rating: (Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 5 … Avatar 1) … 3
-Free Expert Football Predictions | Get Tickets For This Game
Cal (8-3) at Washington (4-7),6:30 EST, Saturday, December 5
Why to watch: While Washington’s dreams of returning to the postseason ended during an awful stretch in the middle of the year, it still has a lot to play for in the finale. Fresh off its first Apple Cup shutout in 45 years, the Huskies would love to build more momentum before heading into another long offseason. For all of those young kids who’ll play an integral role in 2010, 5-7 and a two-game winning streak will have an entirely different feel than 4-8 and a home loss. Cal, like U-Dub, is in the awkward position of playing another regular season game after the rivalry game. The Bears have quietly regrouped with five wins in the last six games, including impressive victories over Arizona and Stanford before getting a break. With a couple more wins to close out the year, folks might actually overlook how poorly they played against the Pac-10’s tougher teams.
Why Cal might win: Sure, Washington pitched a rare shutout last week, but that was Wazzu and this is Cal. The Huskies have bowed to quality offenses all season, giving up long balls through the air and ranking No. 9 in the Pac-10 in most statistical categories. Although RB Jahvid Best would like to return from a concussion, it was clear in the last two games that the offense doesn’t need him to move the sticks. Shane Vereen has been more than an able replacement, rushing for 352 yards and four scores as a workhorse. His running combined with a well-protected Kevin Riley should help the Bears get over 30 points for the seventh time this season.
Why Washington might win: After a full season under Steve Sarkisian, the Husky offense has really started to blossom with balance. Dual-threat QB Jake Locker always presents problems to defenses, especially since his young supporting cast is no longer playing like a gaggle of underclassmen. Redshirt freshman Chris Polk has rushed for 1,000 yards, including at least 100 in the last four games, and the receivers will present a problem to a Cal secondary that’s given up a bunch of yards this fall. Sophomore Jermaine Kearse, in particular, has emerged as the go-to guy, catching five touchdown passes in the last three games.
Who to watch: The one thing the Cal defense has done consistently well this season is defend the run. The Bears yield only 111 yards a game, which will be a challenge to Polk and Washington’s quest for balance. Chief among the Bear run-stoppers has been LB Mike Mohamed, who leads the team with 100 tackles and a healthy 62 solos. He plays with tremendous range and instincts, sifting through blockers before lowering the boom.
What will happen: This figures to be an entertaining game, whose outcome will be dictated by whoever shows up to play. Sandwiched between a rivalry game and the postseason is an odd placement for a meeting between Cal and Washington, so motivation will be especially important. Both teams will put points up and the Huskies will continue to be dangerous in Seattle, as they’ve been all season. However, the Bears are on a roll and their superior play on the interior will be the difference, as Vereen explodes for 150 yards for the third straight week and the game-sealing score.
CFN Prediction: Cal 37 … Washington 28 ... Line: Cal -6.5
Must See Rating: (Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 5 … Avatar 1) … 2.5
-Free Expert Football Predictions | Get Tickets For This Game
|