Let your flag fly over these picks
COUGARS, PAC-10 PICKS
It's funny, but a couple of Saturdays ago, while watching ESPN's GameDay, I noticed a WSU flag waving in the background. As the GameDay crew was in some far-flung (from Washinton, anyway) locale, I thought it was weird – but interesting.
So today, I pick up the paper and Glenn Kasses has explained the whole flag thing to us. And it's a pretty cool reason why you may see the flag on ESPN – though there is no way Lou and the boys are coming to Pullman, at least not in the foreseeable future.
Linebacker Scott Davis made one of WSU's biggest plays last week, stopping Idaho's Jayson Bird on a fourth-down run near the goal line. But Davis, a captain, hasn't practiced much this week, nursing a strained Achilles. He will play tomorrow, however, and was the subject of Craig Smith's Times' story this morning.
The News-Tribune's Todd Milles wrote about the WSU players who grew up in Texas (home of Saturday's opponent, Baylor) and what that means. He also added a story on the Cougars' schedule.
Now my picks. As I said in an earlier, subjective (is there any other type?) post, I was 4-4-1 last week. Not good, but at least I got UCLA right, which gives me family bragging rights. This week, I hope to do better.
The upsets:
No. 19 Nebraska over No. 4 USC. I know this is a longshot, but the Trojans' injuries have to add up sometime, don’t they?
Navy over Stanford. I can't for the life of me figure out why the Cardinal are favored. This is even one game where they aren't a 50-I.Q.-point favorite.
The chalk:
No. 18 Oregon over No. 15 Oklahoma. This is one of the few times everyone in the Northwest should be rooting for Nike U.
No. 21 Cal over Portland State. Enough said.
No. 22 Arizona State over Colorado. Though this one will be close.
Arizona over Stephen F. Austin. The Wildcats begin their run to the Pac-10 title with this win.
Fresno State over Washington. Sorry Todd, but if this one is big – and I think it will be – there is going to be even more dissent.
And finally, the Cougs over Baylor. I will be surprised, however, if they win by the expected two touchdowns.