Arizona at Oregon

This is how it works with Arizona football: You pick the Wildcats to win, like early in the season against Washington, Oregon State and UCLA, and they lose. You pick them to lose, like late in the season against Washington State and California (and give them up for dead in the second half of the Cal game because Belushi’s just couldn’t wait), and they win. So naturally, I’m picking Arizona to lose at Oregon.

Oregon 24, Arizona 20

Roman Veytsman
assistant sports editor

Pete Weber! Wait, wrong sport. I can’t help it though, I just have bowling on my mind. Arizona has the heat. Arizona has the fire. Heck, it doesn’t matter what Arizona has besides two victories in a row against ranked opponents. Don’t expect the Wildcats to sit around and wait for the She-Devils to qualify for a bowl berth. You better call “”Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,”” because Arizona is going to bring down Oregon’s house.

Arizona 31, Oregon 13

Ari Wasserman
staff writer

Ah, sweet November. It’s a magical month for the UA football team. But, all hocus pocus aside, Oregon needs this win more. Sure, Arizona could get to a bowl this year. That’s great. But ASU is a much more beatable team than the Ducks. The Wildcats should focus on the battle they have over Thanksgiving weekend. Plus, they’re going to go blind from the sun reflecting off Oregon’s specially made uniforms.

Oregon 24, Arizona 13

Melissa Kreuger
staff writer

No. 2 Michigan at No. 1 Ohio St.

Michigan has allowed under 400 yards of rushing – the entire season – and how do you win big football games? Run the ball and stop the run. The Wolverines have that handled with the nation’s No. 1 rush defense and a running back in Mike Hart who’s second in the Big Ten in rushing. Both teams have championship dreams on the line, but the Buckeyes, who have won the last two meetings, have the pressure squarely on themselves. Can they handle it? My money says no.

Michigan 21, Ohio St. 17

Roman Veytsman
assistant sports editor

Do you hear the Michigan fight song? Neither do I. And you probably won’t hear it very much tomorrow. The Buckeyes have Troy Smith (aka this year’s deserving Heisman Trophy recipient), not the pretender Brady Quinn Michigan beat earlier in the season. And, they haven’t been able to get ahold of Ohio State since Tressel came to Columbus, as he is 4-1 against Michigan. Look for me in the lower deck; I’ll be wearing red.

Ohio St. 56, Michigan 3

Ari Wasserman
staff writer

Is Troy Smith the real deal? We’re going to finally find out. But what it really comes down to is how the Wolverine defense, which has the most sacks in the Big 10 Conference, will respond to the Heisman hopeful. I like the upset. Plus, I still have a personal vendetta against OSU for bringing Maurice Clarett into our lives. Michigan pulls ahead right in the end, living up to the hype of this rivalry.

Michigan 27, Ohio State 24

Melissa Kreuger
staff writer

No. 17 California at No. 3 USC

Wouldn’t you be proud too if your most famous alum planned to talk about how he killed his wife…cough…ughhmmm…I mean how HE WOULD have killed his wife. Yes, O.J. discusses how he would have carried out the murder in a TV special entitled “”O.J. Simpson: If I Did It, Here’s How It Happened.”” If that’s not bad enough karma for USC, then I don’t know what is. Plus Cal’s season was just ruined by the Wildcats and the Golden Bears probably feel like a bird just pooped on their head. So they’re pissed off, and they’re going to win.

Cal 35 USC 32

Roman Veytsman
assistant sports editor

I think we all saw the Cal game last weekend, and it wasn’t pretty for the Golden Bears. Luckily for Cal, it is playing the most overrated team in college football. I think we will see Nate Longshore and company bounce back against a comparatively weaker Trojan team as they battle for the Pac-10 title. Although Cal lost any hopes of a national championship, it still has a chance at the very meaningful Pac-10 crown. Look for Cal to come out shooting.

Cal 27 USC 12

Ari Wasserman
staff writer

I just can’t buy into the constant USC hype. Booty: not that great. Jarrett: not nearly as good without ex-roommate Matt Leinart. And the only reason the team is No. 3 right now is because four teams in the top-10 lost last weekend. I say DeSean Jackson has two punt returns, giving him six on the year so far. Hey, it could happen.

California 28, USC 20

Melissa Kreuger
staff writer