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Pac-10 predictions: Week 9

Went 4-0 last week and improved to 38-12 on the year.

But I didn't put 110 percent into these picks.

Oregon 41, USC 30: This will be a competitive game, with both offenses getting their licks in. But the Trojans won't be able to keep up the pace in the second half.

Oregon State 30, California 27: If the Cal team that whipped Arizona State last weekend shows up, the Beavers are in trouble. But because the Bears haven't produced that team on a regular basis, we're tapping the Beavers.

Arizona State 35, Washington State 24: The Sun Devils figure to be smarting after the loss at Cal, and that should help them focus on the Cougars, who no longer can be taken lightly. But the Cougs are banged up, and the Sun Devils are too athletic to pick the upset.

Arizona 33, UCLA 17: UCLA has too many issues. And Arizona is too good on both sides of the ball. Wildcats DEs Brooks Reed and Ricky Elmore should have a fun day chasing Richard Brehaut around.

Stanford 40, Washington 31: There's a temptation to see an upset here -- the Huskies always seem to follow a disappointing effort with a good one. Expect Jake Locker to have a good day at home with Andrew Luck on the opposite sideline. The issue is the Huskies defense, which is down two starting D-linemen and wasn't even playing well with them.