Nick Daschel is a veteran sports writer and columnist who has worked on the West coast for nearly three decades. Nick has covered the Pac-10 for about 15 years, primarily focusing on the Northwest schools.
Got to get back up on the horse this week after getting bucked off a bit last week following a hot run during the past month.
On with this week’s selections:
Washington (3-6) at Oregon State (6-3): This is the end of the road for the Huskies and their bowl chances. Lose, and it’s on to 2010. Any takers for Washington playing a hot OSU team that has won four of its last five, the only loss by six points at USC? It wouldn’t be the first time the Huskies have pulled a stunner in Corvallis. In 2003, No. 22 Oregon State was 5-1 and a heavy favorite to beat a Husky team coming off ghastly losses to UCLA and Nevada. That same week, news was leaking about Washington’s infamous pill-popping Dr. Feelgood. So what happens? The Huskies dominate OSU and hammer the Beavers 38-17. Like that 2003 squad, this one is desperate, and similarly to 2003, has a future NFL first-round pick on offense (Reggie Williams, Jake Locker). That 2003 team, though, had a defense capable of occasionally stopping a good offense. It’s the dilemma facing Washington on Saturday, because Oregon State has a damn good offense. (Line: OSU by 12) Pick: Beavers 38, Huskies 27
No. 25 Stanford (6-3) at No. 11 USC (7-2): This is going to be a popular upset pick nationwide because of the beatdown the Cardinal put on Oregon, combined with USC’s sluggish play of late. It’s going to require Stanford showing it can take the show on the road, and the Trojans continuing to sputter on offense, which hasn’t been the case at home. Aw, screw it. It’s time for USC to learn what the rest of the world lives like. (Line: USC by 11) Pick: Cardinal 35, USC 29
Arizona State (4-5) at No. 14 Oregon (7-2): The only question here is when does LeGarrette Blount get in the game. An angry Oregon team playing a lifeless offense starting a true freshman quarterback on the road? This should be finished by halftime. (Line: Oregon by 18) Pick: Ducks 34, Sun Devils 6
UCLA (4-5) at Washington State (1-8): Seems like once a season in recent years, these hopelessly overmatched Pac-10 teams rise up and find one game where they look like a real college football program. The Cougars have to give the old men in the stands a reason to stick around for the second half on Dad’s Weekend, right? (Line: UCLA by 17) Pick: Bruins 30, Cougars 20
No. 18 Arizona (6-2) at California (6-3): Every statistic and trend says this Arizona is the pick here. Something in my gut says Cal is going to go all out to prove this Bears team has something left in the tank. (Line: Cal by 2) Pick: Bears 31, Wildcats 28
Comments