Posted by ESPN.com's Ted Miller
Pac-10 had a good week; I did not, going 6-3 with the picks, which makes me 13-4 for the season.
Huge weekend for the conference in terms of national perception, as a number of writers have noted.
The Pac-10 is 13-4 in nonconference games so far and 6-2 vs. BCS teams, but the lineup this week features visits from two ranked teams and pair of road games at Big Ten destinations.
California 35, Minnesota 21: This game should make Cal fans nervous, if only because the Bears have not of late been the same team on the road. Minnesota is experienced, with 17 starters back from a crew that went 7-6 in 2008 and the Gophers are playing in their new stadium in front of what figures to be a raucous crowd. Still, you look at Cal's roster and the Bears have such a speed advantage it's hard to pick against them.
Arizona 24, Iowa 21: I'm on-record believing that many are underestimating Arizona. That take, of course, included the presence of tight end Rob Gronkowski, one of the Pac-10's biggest difference-makers, but he will be out again with a back injury. Too bad. Arizona's defensive speed, however, should hold the Hawkeyes in check, and if sophomore quarterback Matt Scott doesn't make any big blunders, the Wildcats should figure out a way to score enough to win.
USC 30, Washington 17: The Huskies are much improved but, unlike many, I don't expect the Trojans to have a letdown after the win at Ohio State. For one, the players recall what happened last year at Oregon State. Second, they know that their former coaches, Steve Sarkisian and Nick Holt, are standing on the opposite sideline. Finally, the Trojans' veteran offensive line and speed at the skill positions are a terrible matchup for the young and beaten-up Husky defense.
Oregon 27, Utah 24: These aren't the same Ducks as last year. Yet. And these aren't the same Utes as last year. Yet. But here's a guess that Oregon takes another step forward after the Boise State debacle.
Cincinnati 34, Oregon State 30: The Bearcats have a veteran quarterback in Tony Pike and they like to spread the field with four and five receivers. The Beavers haven't generated much of a pass rush yet and are rebuilding their secondary. Oregon State should be able to score, but Cincinnati is built for a track meet, even away from home.
UCLA 21, Kansas State 17: This one will be a grind. The Bruins will be missing starting quarterback Kevin Prince because of a broken jaw and are down two cornerbacks due to injury and suspension, as well as three other offensive players due to suspension. They will survive but barely.
SMU 38, Washington State 30: Is this the Cougars' last chance for a win in 2009? Will they draw a line in the sand, dig deep and get the W? Maybe, but scrap and claw as they might, the guess here is they again fall short against a run-and-shoot offense.
Stanford 30, San Jose State 13: Stanford gets the ball back in running back Toby Gerhart's hands, which sets up a couple of big plays in the passing game, and the defense regroups after a poor second-half showing at Wake Forest.
Arizona State 24, Louisiana-Monroe 17: The Warhawks, who won at Alabama in 2007, have athletes. This is not a gimme, but the Sun Devils likely learned last year against UNLV that there are no gimmes.