Pac 10 Football Week 6 Preview, Predictions, Odds & Picks – Saturday October 16, 2010
We are providing Pac 10 Football weekly matchup previews, predictions and odds for all Pac 10 football teams for the games Saturday October 16, 2010. And to gain a betting edge check our out NCAA Football Handicappers as they offer their free and expert pick. Use our comprehensive and insider information to bet successfully on College Football with our recommend sportsbooks.
We are midway through the 2010 College Football season and the race for the PAC-10 is just getting started.
The preseason expectation for the division, although not overly hyped, was its abundance of depth and extraordinary quarterbacks with NFL futures ahead. But a national title contender?
Maybe Oregon, but that was the extent of it.
Funny how six weeks can bring a whole lot of change as the PAC-10 has nine teams that that can compete on a high level. Including the Trojans who are trying their hardest to play the spoiler, as they are ineligible for the postseason because of NCAA sanctions.
Oregon is No. 2 in the country, but what about three other top 25 seeds; No. 14 Stanford, No. 17 Arizona, and No. 24 Oregon State.
As for the quarterbacks, Stanford’s Andrew Luck, Arizona’s Nick Foles, and USC’s Matt Barkley each rank in the top-21 in the nation in passing efficiency.
Oregon’s Darron Thomas, Oregon State’s Ryan Katz and Arizona State’s Steven Threet have all put in solid performances worth mentioning as well. However, the division’s most hyped QB, Washington’s Jake Locker, has consistently underperformed.
Meanwhile, Ducks RB LaMichael James has been an overachiever and leads the nation with 169.6 yards rushing per game. He’s scored 10 total touchdowns, including nine rushing.
Finally, you have to give it up for UCLA linebacker Akeem Ayers who has proven himself to be the best defensive player in the conference, and possibly the nation.
It’s a light schedule this week out west with Arizona State, Oregon, Stanford and UCLA each having the weekend off. My pick for PAC-10 game of the week has to be No. 24 Oregon State at Washington on ESPN.
Here are my predictions for all of this week’s PAC-10 action and don’t forget to check back every week right here at sportsbooklists.com, as I will continue to give my free picks for all the current week’s PAC-10 contests helping you make all of your PAC-10 college football wagers–winners.
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Saturday, October 16, 2010
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California (3-2, 1-1) at USC (4-2, 1-2), FSN, 3:30 P.M. ET
The G-Bears will be looking to avenge the 30-3 thumping they got at home last season by the Trojans, while USC will want to right the ship after dropping two consecutive games on last-second field goals.
Both teams is seeking its second conference win with Cal trying to get into the hunt and USC attempting to show they are still relevant in the conference, even if they can’t play in the postseason.
Cal rebounded with a 35-7 blowout win over UCLA to end a two game losing skid, as the defense was once again impressive. The G-Bears have allowed 10 points or less in each of their games with the exception of the 52 points they surrendered to Nevada.
Offensively, they are putting up an average of nearly 36 PPG and are ranked 22nd in rushing behind a solid, game in and game out effort from RB Shane Vereen, who is the Golden Bears biggest source of offense, running for 577 yards and eight TDs while also catching two.
This could be trouble for the USC defense that has been allowing an average of 35 PPG, and will have to deal with Cal’s Vereen.
The Trojan’s Offense hasn’t been an issue so far, as they rank in the top 30 in the country in passing, rushing, and points (35.7 PPG). QB, Matt Barkley, has quietly had a very good season, throwing for 1,517 yards and 15 TDs while the run game has been supported by the duo of Allen Bradford who has run for 533 yards and four TDs, and Marc Tyler with 359 yards and five TDs.
The consistent ground attack that averages six yards per carry has made it easier for Barkley to throw the ball.
So far, the road has not treated Cal well, losing both games away from home against Nevada and Arizona. If USC can contain the run, they should have a good chance to win.
Prediction: USC – Bet Now
Odds: California: +2.5 – USC: -2.5 – Over/Under: 53.5
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No. 17 Arizona (4-1, 1-1) at Washington State (1-5, 0-3) Versus, 7:30 P.M. ET
Cougars did look better on Saturday despite the 43-23 second half pummeling they received by No. 3 Oregon in Week 6.
QB Jeff Tuel, who’s thrown nine TD passes and averages 246 yards passing per game, tossed for 245 yards and a touchdown in his tilt with the Ducks. Could this be a sign of improvement, or was Oregon just complacent?
Running back James Montgomery had a good outing as well adding a 26-yard TD run in the first half while Jared Karstetter had 10 catches for 106 yards as the Cougars rolled up 336 yard of offense against one of the PAC-10’s better defenses.
However, Wazzou fans don’t need to get prematurely excited because the defense coughed up a colossal 558 yards to the Ducks, and remain second worst in the NCAA in points allowed with 42.8 PPG.
This will bode well for an Arizona offense that is averaging just over 34 points and is going to be looking to quickly get back on the rails after losing its first game of the season to a rejuvenated Oregon State Beavers that upset the Wildcats 29-27 in Tucson last weekend.
The Arizona secondary did not have a good game last weekend as Oregon State QB Ryan Katz dismantled the nation’s No. 2 defense. The offense equally had its worst outing of the season but did make a failed attempt with a fourth quarter rally when junior QB Nick Foles rifled a 12-yard touchdown pass to Keola Antolin that cut the lead to just two with under two minutes to play.
The ‘Cats will now get a present and a chance to regain their momentum, but must be wary as the Cougars have displayed that they can play with the big boys, so they won’t want to get caught napping.
Prediction: Arizona – Bet Now
Odds: Arizona: -23.5 – Washington State: +23.5 – Over/Under: 62
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No. 24 Oregon State (3-2, 2-0) at Washington (2-3, 1-1) ESPN, 10:15 P.M. ET
This game could end the Huskies bowl hopes so a win against a re-energized Oregon State Beavers is something they cannot afford to take lightly.
Oregon State returned to the AP Poll this week at No. 24 and is 2-0 in Pac-10 play for the first time since 2003 after an impressive 29-27 upset of the then-No.9 Arizona Wildcats in Tucson last weekend.
Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Week, sophomore quarterback Ryan Katz, put on a clinic, passing for 393 yards and two touchdowns, and scrambling for another.
Running back Jacquizz, Rodgers made major contributions as well, squirming his way to 92 yards on 25 carries and catching three passes for 41 yards. His 1-yard touchdown run with just over five minutes remaining would eventually be the game winner.
The victory would come with a heavy price though, as WR James Rodgers was injured on a tackle midway in the second quarter and will be sidelined with a season-ending knee injury.
The Huskies have struggled despite the sometimes-infrequent heroics of heralded QB Jake Locker who has been the biggest Heisman bust of the season.
After edging out then-No.18 USC 32-31, Washington would fall to ASU, 24-14. Inconsistency apparently knows no bounds.
The Huskies just looked dreadful converting just 4-of-15 third down conversion attempts as Locker came up short on at least two critical downs that could have been possible game changers. He did have one single redeeming moment finally finding D’Andre Goodwin for a 15-yard touchdown to pull within seven early in the fourth.
The all time series belongs to the Huskies, who are 57-33-4 thanks mainly to a 25-2 run between 1975 and 2003. Nevertheless, the Beavers currently hold a school record six-game win streak since then.
If Oregon State can build on their win at Arizona and keep Locker in check, they can pick up some much-needed ground in their race for the roses.
Prediction: Oregon State – Bet Now
Odds: Oregon State: 0 – Washington: 0 – Over/Under: 60.5
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