Cougs-Trojans top week of Pac-10 action

No. 6 Washington State at No. 3 USC

Throughout the Los Angeles area, roses are being prepped and ordered for this clash of Pac-10 titans. Many expect the winner of this headlining contest between Washington State and USC to wrap up at least a Rose Bowl bid, if not a taste of Sugar.

USC (3-1 Pac-10, 7-1 overall) returns to the Los Angeles Coliseum riding the stellar performance of true freshman Reggie Bush. Bush, who quickly became known as Rick Neuheisel's lost recruit in Washington, will look to emerge in primetime as one of the nation's future stars of Sunday football.

The Trojans, as a whole, have no glaring weaknesses to exploit. On offense USC is pummeling its opponents for nearly 40 points per game. The team boasts the most rushing yards in the Pac-10, and the best QB rating west of Texas. The offensive line of the Trojans is providing great protection for QB Matt Leinart, as he has only suffered a Pac-10-low 12 sacks.

On defense, the Trojans have been more than adequate. This season, the Trojans have kept opposing ball carriers to a 2.4 yards-per-carry average. The Trojan defensive line has also racked up 30 sacks. Perhaps the only chink in the Trojans' armor this season has been its secondary, as only one starter from last season returned. It is this soft spot that has allowed opposing teams to make games competitive against an otherwise-flawless USC team.

Matt Kegel and the Cougars (4-0, 7-1) will need to exploit this weakness to the fullest extent if they want to rumble with the Trojans. WSU leads the Pac-10 in passing yards at 295 yards per contest. Kegel has many options to throw downfield, as eight Cougar receivers have more than 10 receptions and more than 150 yards on the season. Kegel, however, must rebound from his five-interception performance last week against Oregon State.

The Cougar defense does not have the explosive speed necessary to stop the Trojan machine. The defense must contain the USC attack as best it can, and allow the Cougar aerial attack to determine the outcome of the game.

Arizona at Oregon State

Arizona takes the lonely trip into Corvallis for the third straight year to take on the Beavers. Unfortunately, the Wildcats (0-4, 1-7) will need to overcome the ghost of two consecutive 38-3 losses in Reser Stadium.

This year's contest doesn't look any easier for the Wildcats, who are riding a four-game losing streak. Arizona is currently ranked last in the Pac-10 in passing yards, while freshman QB Kris Heavner has chalked up twice as many interceptions as touchdowns. Heavner's replacements have fared even worse, garnering an additional eight interceptions. Special teams hasn't helped the 'Cats to success either, as the kicking team is on record-setting pace with only two of nine field goals made this season.

Consequently, one must wonder if the running game is enough to keep the 'Cats alive in Corvallis. Don't count on it.

Throughout the season, the OSU (2-2, 5-3) defense has only allowed an average of 85.6 yards per game on the ground. The Beavers' rush defense is coming off of a stellar performance against Washington State, in which the Beavers' dam shut down the flow of the Cougar offense by holding the WSU backfield to only three net rushing yards. The defense also forced seven turnovers against the Cougars, including five interceptions and two fumbles. The greatest statistical success of last week's game, however, climaxed with the Beavers also scoring on two safeties.

Stephen Jackson continues to lead the Oregon State offense, while he also closes in on the nation's rushing title. Jackson, who leads the nation in rushing attempts, provides a safe option when QB Derek Anderson loses his control. Anderson's wild arm has caused him to throw more interceptions than any other quarterback in the nation.

Nevertheless, interceptions alone aren't going to spell a Wildcat victory in Corvallis this weekend. Of the full slate of Pac-10 games scheduled, this matchup is shaping up to be the most lopsided.

UCLA at Stanford

Bruin fans continue to cry for the respect deserving of a Pac-10-leading squad. UCLA (4-0, 6-2) was still missing from both major college football polls released Sunday. Both of the Bruins' losses came against ranked opponents.

Apparently, poll voters have taken into consideration the margin of victory displayed by the Bruins. Five of the Bruins' six victories have been won by fewer than 10 points, including a 6-3 victory over Illinois Sept. 13. The only exception came from the Bruins' second-half rout of the Huskies down in the Rose Bowl. The Bruins have struggled to put away what should be considered easy victories against Illinois, San Diego State, Arizona and California.

Perhaps nobody will know the true ability of the Bruins until they visit Pullman Nov. 8. Nevertheless, Stanford must be dealt with first.

The Cardinal (0-4, 2-4), whose defense looked like it was improving, seemed to think that there was a rule change to flag football during last week's game against Oregon. Oregon RB Terrence Whitehead blew up against the Cardinal, walking all over the defense for 172 yards. Oddly enough, Whitehead's only other 100-yard game came against the Cardinal during the 2002 season.

With both teams carrying something to prove, you can expect to see a spirited contest in Palo Alto.

California at Arizona State

Andrew Walter's health is vital to the pulse of the Sun Devils. Arizona State (1-3, 4-4) lost its star quarterback during the second quarter of Saturday's loss to UCLA. Walter, who had been under a flurry of pressure throughout the first quarter of the game, was finally sacked for a second time, at which point he strained ligaments on both of his ankles. Walter says he should be at full strength by game time, when the Sun Devils host California for a matchup in Sun Devil Stadium.

Arizona State has turned in a painfully mediocre season for Sun Devil fans. Its 4-4 record doesn't do much to break the stigma of mediocrity for better or for worse. Tomorrow's game could be a season-maker, determining whether or not the Sun Devils will finish their season above or below .500.

California (2-2, 4-5), on the other hand, has had various glimpses of superiority in the Pac-10 this season, with the majority of that credit going to coaching mastermind Jeff Tedford. Tedford contained the Trojan offense en route to victory.

Despite staying competitive in their games, five glaring losses will not cut it in the Pac-10, nor will it improve the Bears' chances of a bowl bid. Luckily, with USC behind them, and Stanford to close out the season, the Bears' schedule is relatively easy, especially without having to play WSU.

Most importantly, however, is that Cal has the opportunity to demonstrate that its victory against USC was no fluke. There is no better venue to prove itself than against a struggling, injury-plagued Arizona State squad.