Arizona @ No. 25 Washington State
The matchup that will decide this one is the Cougars’ pass rush against Arizona’s anemic offensive line. Making matters worse, the Wildcats will send out a gimpy quarterback who hasn’t played recently in either Willie Tuitama or Adam Austin and possess an offense that hasn’t gotten it together all year long. Sure sounds like a bad combination to me. For the Wildcats to win, the defense must not only force turnovers but return them for scores.
Washington State 20, Arizona 6
Michael
Schwartz
sports editor
It’s a good thing Arizona had a bye last week to rest up before the impact of this brutal game. This catfight between the Cougars and Wildcats is going to leave one team ripped to shreds, and guess what? It’s not going to be the Cougars with claws sunk deep into their backs. Washington State actually has a steady quarterback in junior Alex Brink, who leads the Pac-10 in passing yards with 2,145.
Washington State 37, Arizona 13
Lance
Madden
staff writer
This game is a tale of two teams heading in opposite directions. Arizona has lost four of its last five games, while Washington State has won three out of four and is back in the top 25 for the first time since 2003. The Cougars have one of the best offenses in the country and QB Alex Brink was named Pac-10 Player of the Week for his 405-yard, three-touchdown performance against UCLA last weekend. Arizona’s three quarterbacks combined can’t put up numbers like that. The Cougars roll, and hopefully Stoops learns a thing or two from WSU coach Bill Doba.
Washington State 35, Arizona 9
Cameron
Jones
staff writer
ASU @ Oregon State
Fresh off an upset of then-No. 3 USC, the Beavers meet a fellow 5-3 squad looking to get bowl-eligible in ASU. After a big win like that, the Beavers can’t help but be in for a letdown, especially against a solid Sun Devil squad that just won an emotional overtime game at Washington. Look for ASU to assume its typical spot in the upper-middle of the conference with this win.
ASU 24, OSU 21
Michael
Schwartz
sports editor
When just looking at the similar records of these two teams, it is hard to tell who will win this game. That is until you give me a vote and I slam the Scum Devils just because of who they are. That, combined with the fact that the Beavers upset No. 3 USC last week, is support enough that OSU will take this game right from the beginning.
OSU 37, ASU 24
Lance
Madden
staff writer
This is the battle for Pac-10 mediocrity. Neither team is particularly bad, nor are they very good. Currently in fifth and sixth in the Pac-10, OSU and ASU will feature average quarterbacks and average running backs going up against average defenses in what will likely be little more than an average game. OSU suffers from a post-USC letdown and ASU sneaks out of Corvallis with a win.
ASU 17, OSU 14
Cameron
Jones
staff writer
No. 13 LSU @ No. 8 Tennessee
This game is all about revenge. Last year the Tigaahhs blew a 17-point fourth-quarter lead at home nonetheless, before falling in overtime to the Volunteers. Expect that to be on their minds in tomorrow’s rematch. If they want to get that revenge, it’ll be up to their No. 1 SEC pass defense to slow down the conference’s top passing offense. I say they’re up to the challenge.
LSU 17, Tennessee 14
Michael
Schwartz
sports editor
Despite having the lamest mascot in all of college football, the Volunteers will just edge the Tigers. Tennessee’s junior Robert Meachem has averaged more than 100 yards a game thus far, totaling 868. Throw six touchdowns of his into that equation and you’ve got yourself a lethal weapon. Coming off five straight wins, the Vols have the momentum coming into this game.
Tennessee 38, LSU 34
Lance
Madden
staff writer
For Vols QB Erik Ainge, the only thing more frightening than going up against LSU’s defense is going up against a rested and hungry LSU defense coming off a bye week. Ainge, the Southeastern Conference’s leading passer, will be without two of his top running backs and is facing the best pass defense in the SEC. The one-dimensional Volunteer offense will be crushed as LSU’s front four only has to worry about one thing; destroying Danny Ainge’s nephew. LSU cruises to a much-needed conference win.
LSU 24, Tennessee 10
Cameron
Jones
staff writer