Pac-10 picks

Washington at Syracuse (UW by 3): The Jake Locker Era begins, but the Huskies’ biggest problem is Locker is not only their best quarterback, but he may be their best defensive back as well.

Pick: Syracuse 18-9.

UCLA at Stanford (UCLA by 16): There’s one firekarldorrell.com Web site out there right now. If the Bruins lose here, there might be 1,742. One thing for sure, Jim Harbaugh will win the postgame press conference.

Pick: UCLA 42-7.

Houston at Oregon (UO by 14): This will be a great test for the Oregon defense. But an even bigger test will be if Dennis Dixon can adjust from hitting fastballs to throwing them.

Pick: Oregon 34-28.

Arizona at BYU (BYU by 4): The big money spent on Mike Stoops in Tucson was supposed to pay a big return. But like subprime mortgages, Stoops has been a bust so far. It changes this season, starting here.

Pick: UA 27-17.

Tennessee at Cal (Cal by 6): It is supposed to be a revenge game. It is supposed to be Cal’s chance to shine for the Pac-10. It will be.

Pick: Cal 35-18.

San Jose State at Arizona State (ASU by 15): Remember the days of the Desert Swarm? Now Dick Tomey has 300 Spartans, and they still won’t stop the Sun Devils in Dennis Erickson’s debut.

Pick: ASU 40-14.

Idaho at USC (USC by 46): The question here isn’t whether USC will win. The question here is whether this game will ruin the Vandals’ season. New coach Robb Akey won’t let it.

Pick: USC 48-7.

Washington State at Wisconsin (UW by 14): The Cougars learned a multitude of lessons last year opening at Auburn, and they’ll use many of those in Madison. It just won’t be enough.

Pick: UW 29-24.