Pac-10 picks

There are almost as many byes (three, including Washington State) as there are games (four) this weekend, but there is one contest with an unrivaled tradition.

From the days Knute Rockne’s Fighting Irish used to take the train to Los Angeles to play Howard Jones’ Trojans, the Notre Dame and USC football game has been the best intersectional rivalry in the country.

This year is no different, even though the Irish are 1-6 and the Trojans’ national championship hopes took a blow with their loss to Stanford.

One thing to watch for: the length of the grass in Notre Dame’s stadium. When Reggie Bush and company invaded a couple of years ago, groundskeeper Willie was on the job. The grass was long enough to lose a shoe and thick enough to slow down even the quickest SC players.

USC at Notre Dame (USC by 17.5): The grass will be long, the Irish will play their hearts out and the Trojans will still win. USC 24-14.

Cal at UCLA (no line): There are too many question marks about the quarterback situation to make much an educated pick here. Lucky it’s us. Cal 35-21.

Stanford at Arizona (Arizona by 10.5): This has to be the game the Arizona offense comes alive again. Just has to be. Arizona 42-17.

Oregon at Washington (Oregon by 11.5): The Ducks’ spread attack will get a chance to show whether it is rainproof or not. Oregon 33-24.

Last week: 4-1 overall, 2-3 vs. spread; Season: 32-14 overall, 19-25 vs. spread.