Week eleven Pac-10 picks

Last week I went 4-1 in my Pac-10 picks to bring my season picks total to 17-5 (please note I'm only in my fifth week of making picks).

The race for the Pac-10 crown is shaping up to be incredibly close down the stretch as Arizona, Oregon, Oregon State, Stanford and USC all have a shot to win the conference.

Let's take a look at how Pac-10 play shakes out this weekend.

Washington at Oregon State

Steve Sarkisian and the Washington Huskies are on the road again, this time heading to Oregon State country in a game against the Beavers. After starting the season 2-1, including a huge win over USC, Washington has lost five of six, their latest coming at the hands of UCLA this past Saturday. Oregon State, on the other hand, comes into the game winning four of five, and seeks to finish the season strong with only the two Washington schools and the Oregon Ducks left on the schedule. After getting held to only 94 yards on the ground against Cal, I believe that the Beavers will try to reestablish their run game against the Huskies. Jacquizz Rogers is just too good to not have a big impact in this game. With Jacquizz’s brother James, the Beavers have enough of a one-two punch to KO the Huskies. For Washington to have a shot, they need to get consistent pressure on the quarterback to disrupt Oregon State's Sean Canfield. If the Huskies can force a couple of turnovers and allow Jake Locker more opportunities to make plays, they may have a shot. However, when it is all said and done, I think the Beavers will come out on top. PICK: Oregon State

UCLA at Washington State

The Bruins finally ended their five-game spiral with a win over the Washington Huskies this past Saturday and now head to Pullman to take on the Washington State Cougars. Washington State has not fared well for much of the year, with their latest lost coming against the Arizona Wildcats in Tucson this past weekend. After suffering a knee cap injury against the Wildcats, Washington State's true freshman quarterback, Jeff Tuel, is questionable for the game against UCLA. If Tuel cannot go for the Cougars, Marshall Lobbestael will be called upon to try and jumpstart a Washington State offense that has shown few signs of life this season. The Bruins have their own injured starting quarterback to worry about after redshirt freshman, Kevin Prince, suffered a concussion against Washington. UCLA head coach, Rick Neuheisel, is sticking with Prince; however, given the injury Prince will be monitored closely. While I think the Cougars have a great shot to pull one out at home, the Bruins should ultimately prevail. PICK: UCLA

(18) Arizona at California

Can Arizona keep up its stellar play on the road this weekend against California? The Wildcats are enjoying their best season in recent memory and have a great shot at winning the Pac-10 if they continue to play as they have for much of the season. That being said, the Wildcats have a tough schedule down the stretch starting with Saturday's road game against the Golden Bears, followed by games against Oregon, Arizona State and USC. Cal will be missing its biggest weapon, tailback Jahvid Best, after Best sustained a concussion following an acrobatic play this past weekend. Kevin Riley and Shane Vereen will have to step up for the injured Best if the Golden Bears are to have a shot against a very good Arizona Wildcats’ team. It has been an up and down year for California and, unfortunately, with the loss of Best I do not see them 'up' anytime soon. PICK: UofA

Arizona State at (14) Oregon

The Arizona State Sun Devils travel to Oregon to take on the Ducks in the late game on Saturday. The Sun Devils almost pulled out an upset at home against USC this past weekend and will bring a tough defense to Eugene. The Sun Devils will be relying on their own true freshman quarterback this Saturday as Brock Osweiler will get the start over Danny Sullivan. Osweiler played well against the Trojans after replacing Sullivan in last weekend's game. Unfortunately for Arizona State, Oregon will be out for blood this weekend after losing a shootout to Stanford over the weekend. Adding to the situation is the return of LeGarrette Blount, who is back with the Ducks after being reinstated from his suspension. Although it remains to be seen how much of a role Blount will have with the Ducks, he remains a huge wildcard for Oregon as his talent is undeniable. As I said before, the Ducks will be out for blood. PICK: Oregon

(25) Stanford at (11) USC

It is a homecoming of epic proportions this Saturday as the Stanford Cardinal take on the USC Trojans. The Cardinal are coming to the Coliseum fresh off a win over the Oregon Ducks, while the Trojans are coming off of a lackluster win over the Sun Devils. Talented Cardinal tailback, Toby Gerhart, will be firing on all cylinders as the Cardinal try to repeat their success from the 2007 season. Gerhart had a huge game last week against Oregon, in which he rushed for over 220 yards and 3 touchdowns on the day. The Trojans are still trying to figure it all out after getting blown out by Oregon on Halloween night. While they were able to get a win over Arizona State, the Trojans' offensive struggles are undeniable. Adding to USC’s problems is the injury to leading receiver, Damian Williams, who suffered a high ankle sprain against the Sun Devils and is questionable for Saturday's contest. That being said, the Cardinal will be hard pressed to go into the Coliseum and steal a victory from the Trojans, regardless of how they have played in recent weeks. PICK: USC

Picks subject to interpretation.