Pac-10 picks

If this Pac-10 season has taught us anything it’s … well, it’s hard to think of something.

Actually, the one constant is the inconsistency of the conference schools. One week the teams in the bottom half jump and bite the favorites. The next week there are routs.

Who are the favorites anyhow? Would anyone have thought eight weeks ago Arizona State would be favored this week against Cal? The Sun Devils are favored, and rightfully so, with the Bears coming off back-to-back losses.

Then how about Oregon, ranked fifth in the nation, hosting ninth-ranked USC on Fox Sports? So there is one other constant: The conference’s best game isn’t on ABC … again.

Arizona at Washington (UW by 3.5): We are officially off the Arizona bandwagon, just like many of Mike Stoops’ recruits. Washington 28-21

Stanford at Oregon State (OSU by 13.5): The Cardinal continue to shock everyone in the Pac-10, including themselves more than likely. Oregon State 24-17

Cal at Arizona State (Arizona State by 3): Are the Sun Devils for real? Will Cal lose three consecutive games? Is Nate Longshore healthy? All that – and more – will be answered Saturday. Arizona State 42-41

USC at Oregon (Oregon by 3): This is the week all the offensive injuries catch up with the Ducks, because USC’s defense can match UO’s speed. USC 35-31

UCLA at Washington State (UCLA by 6): The Bruins are banged up. They haven’t played well vs. the Cougars the past few years. They have been up and down all year and were up last week. All that points to … UCLA 35-21

Last week: 2-2 overall, 0-3 vs. spread; Season: 34-16 overall, 19-28 vs. spread.