Scout.com > College Football News Pac 10 Things We Learned This Week Story URL: http://cfn.scout.com/2/817122.html Dan Greenspan CollegeFootballNews.com Dec 1, 2008 The return of the 'bad' Oregon State Beavers, the return of the Cal-Texas feud and the return of Rudy the gunslinger. -Cinderella no more Everything that went right during Oregon State’s improbable run to the brink of a conference championship fell apart in the Civil War. The powerful rushing attack was standing on the sidelines, freshman Jacquizz Rodgers held out because of the shoulder injury he suffered against Arizona. As for the run defense, there is no easy answer. Jeremiah Johnson had 203 yards in the first half and LeGarrette Blount chipped in with another 112 in the Oregon rout. Factor in four turnovers, including two interceptions returned for touchdowns, and the Beavers imploded in their most important game. -The next Dennis Dixon? It might seem blasphemous given how Dixon almost powered the Ducks to the national title last season, but quarterback Jeremiah Masoli (572 yards passing, five touchdowns, no interceptions with another 142 yards and four touchdowns rushing) has been nothing short of transcendent in these last two games. Given the losses Oregon faces next season on the offensive and defensive lines and in the secondary, the stability and continuity Masoli offers might be enough to challenge USC in 2009. -A good old-fashioned shootout Did anyone else enjoy seeing a team score 38 points and lose? -Oski’s revenge When the BCS ranking were released Sunday afternoon, no tears were shed in Berkeley for the Texas Longhorns. After all, it was Mack Brown’s shameless politicking that denied Cal its rightful spot in the Rose Bowl back in 2004. The Bears, only a Coliseum goal line stand away from a perfect season, showed mercy in their finale against Southern Mississippi and paid the price. No one will admit it publicly but that snub still lingers across the Pac-10. With five conference coaches now voting in the USA Today poll, including Tedford, a small measure of retribution might have been gained. -The misadventures of Kevin Craft It’s been an ongoing saga for weeks, but the Bruin quarterback continues to find new and exciting ways to lose games for his team. This time he had four turnovers returned for Arizona State touchdowns in a 34-9 snoozer. The Sun Devils tied Houston’s NCAA record in the process. What lows can he unearth against a ferocious USC defense? -It’s not just about talent, but developing it Memo to Charlie Weis (assuming he is still leading the Irish next year): put away the Super Bowl rings and start coaching up the players on your roster. -Norm Chow vs. Pete Carroll, round one Considering that Notre Dame rolled up 91 yards on the Trojans, let’s see what a real offensive genius can do. Picks for the final week of the season -USC 26, UCLA 3 The monopoly is not yet over. -Cal 38, Washington 6 Jahvid Best will decimate the Husky defense and claim the Pac-10 rushing title in the process. The sophomore tailback is only 170 yards behind Jacquizz Rodgers. -Arizona State 21, Arizona 20 Quarterback Rudy Carpenter takes the Sun Devils bowling and improves to 4-0 in the Territorial Cup with a return to his gunslinging ways. Email Dan at greenspancfn@gmail.com. Copyright © Scout.com and CollegeFootballNews.com