Staff picks

Chris Martin, sports editor

Arizona at No. 18 USC, Saturday, 6:30 p.m. (PDT), ABC

Not many people thought UA would enter this game 3-1. Don't count on Arizona leaving this game 4-1, as the Trojans are steaming about their beat down in Corvallis. Carson Palmer - an average QB according to USC head coach Paul Hackett - picks on an average UA secondary for three TDs. Palmer will make Hackett look like an idiot after this game.

USC 28, Arizona 14

No. 23 Oregon State at No. 13 Washington, Saturday, 7 p.m. (PDT), FOXSN

I love the job Dennis Erickson is doing up in Beaver country. To win in Seattle would propel OSU toward Pasadena, but I just don't see it happening. Husky QB Marques Tuiasosopo shakes off his poor performance against UO and runs to victory. He can't pass the team to a win because the Washington WR's are M.I.A., if they are found please return to Rick Neuheisel.

Washington 35, Oregon State 28

No. 1 Florida State at No. 7 Miami, Fla., Saturday, 9 a.m. (PDT), CBS

Game of the year? Maybe. I don't know what to think of this one as it could go either way. The Hurricanes are the fastest team in football but FSU is the most talented. Injuries will be the deciding factor in this game - the Seminoles are known for knocking out QB's but FSU has its own QB problem as Chris Weinke has a bum ankle.

Florida State 45, Miami 39 (2 OT)

Stanford at No. 25 Notre Dame, Saturday, 11:30 a.m. (PDT), NBC

The Domers have had two weeks to think about their blunder against Michigan State. Davie you suck! Can you feel my anger? Well, Stanford is a joke as all Arizona fans witnessed last week and stand no chance at Notre Dame Stadium. If Clarence Farmer can run for 100 yards against the Cardinal then Julius Jones goes for 200. Irish win big.

Notre Dame 35, Stanford 10

No. 8 Ohio State at No. 24 Wisconsin, Saturday, 12:30 p.m. (PDT) ABC

Hmm, overrated OSU against overrated Wisconsin. Gotta give the edge to Wisconsin as they have actually played quality opponents this season. Badger RB Michael Bennett will turn the heads of Heisman voters as he once again breaks the 200 yard barrier. Buckeye QB Steve Bellisari will also be without the services of WR Ken-Yon Rambo as All-American CB Jamar Fletcher shuts him down.

Wisconsin 21, Ohio State 14

Kamy Shaygan, staff writer

Arizona at No. 18 USC, Saturday, 6:30 p.m. (PDT), ABC

Arizona is hot right now and not even the Petros Papadakis led Trojans can defeat the Wildcats. The Trojans will have a tough time getting past the Wildcat defense, which is lead by Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Week Idris Haroon. Ortege Jenkins, who passed for 198 yards last week against Stanford, will have a another huge game against USC.

Arizona 17, USC 10

Despite the ratings, this game belongs to Oregon State. The Beavers are coming fresh off a victory against USC and are lead by Ken Simonton. The Huskies will not have enough offensive power to get past the OSU defense. This is the first time Oregon State has been ranked in 32 years, so they will be looking to remain in the limelight.

Oregon State 24, Washington 17

Although Miami has had success in the past against Florida State, the Seminoles are lead by quarterback Chris Weinke who is expected to play this week after spraining his ankle. Weinke owned Miami last season as he threw for 332 yards and two touchdowns in a victory against the Hurricanes. Florida State will extend it's 17-game winning streak.

Florida State 37, Miami 21

The Cardinal is going down this weekend. There is no doubt about it. They looked pathetic last week against the Wildcats, and the Irish charge will be lead by senior tight end Jabari Holloway. H olloway is considered one of the best tight end's in the nation If Stanford wants any chance to win this game, they better hope QB Chris Lewis is on.

Notre Dame 35, Stanford 7

No. 8 Ohio State at No. 24 Wisconsin, Saturday, 12:30 p.m. (PDT) ABC

The defending Big Ten champion Badgers are coming off a two game losing streak. It looks like it will be a three game losing streak for Wisconsin after they face the unbeaten Buckeyes. The main reason the Badgers are in danger of losing three in a row is because of their poor passing game. The Buckeyes will walk all over the Badgers.

Ohio State 43, Wisconsin 17

Francisco Merced, staff writer

Arizona vs. USC

Did everyone know that Arizona is 3-1? Wow! By the way people talk you would think they were 1-3. USC, hmmm. Mom says if you can't say anything nice about somebody's QB then put his butt in the dirt. Palmer will fumble twice.

Arizona is undefeated on the road, a trend the defense should ensure will continue.

Arizona 24, USC 17

Oregon State vs. Washington

I'm going to make this pick in Shakespearean style:

As the hunted hides and the hunters seek

These two teams battle at sunlight's peak.

One team tasting victory so sweet

While the other is reeling from the stun of defeat.

Three hours will pass, the game is no more.

Cry Havoc! and let slip the dogs of war.

Washington 28, Oregon State 14

Florida State vs. Miami

Oh, the days of "Wide Right." Finally, the Seminoles have come back to Miami!

This one should be a dandy. High-powered offense and big-time defense,

somebody bring the beer because this one will be a lot of fun to watch. My

pick: the Hurricanes in a thriller.

Miami 31, FSU 28

Stanford vs. Notre Dame

The Fighting Irish bounce back into the top-25 after an impressive week of

practice. Associated Press writers around the country were wowed by the discipline and passion of coach Bob Davie. Stanford's pride is still probably hurting from last weekend's beating put on them in volleyball and football by UA. Take that, stupid Stanford dancing tree.

Notre Dame 21, Stanford 10

Ohio State vs. Wisconsin

A conversation between me and "Bone Daddy" Steve:

Me: OSU against Wisconsin, important Big Ten game this weekend.

Bone Daddy: Not really, both basketball programs are on a down year.

Me: I'm talking about football.

BD: Oh.

Me: So, who's going to win?

BD: If it's not basketball, who cares?

Me: Oh. I'll pick Wisconsin.

Wisconsin 17, OSU 7

Chris Suffecool, staff writer

Arizona at No. 18 USC, Saturday, 6:30 p.m. (PDT), ABC

I hate the USC fight song. It is the worst fight song in the history of college football. Good thing nobody will have to hear much of it this Saturday. The Wildcat defense is looking stronger every week, and there is no reason why they shouldn't be able to stop Carson Palmer and the rest of the overrated USC Trojans.

Arizona 28, USC 13

No. 23 Oregon State at No. 13 Washington, Saturday, 7 p.m. (PDT), FOXSN

The Huskies lost a tough game at one of the most difficult places to play in the country last week at Autzen Stadium. Don't be fooled by this little setback. The Huskies are still one of the best teams in the Pac-10 and will prove so this Saturday. Oregon State only beat Eastern Washington and New Mexico by a combined 10 points, and USC is overrated.

Washington 38, Oregon State 14

No. 1 Florida State at No. 7 Miami, Fla., Saturday, 9 a.m. (PDT), CBS

What a great matchup - two programs with histories of violence, cheating and poor sportsmanship. From the Miami teams of the early 90s and the Peter Warrick incident of last year, these two teams are the best in the country at inspiring hate from opponents and fans across the country alike. I hate both these teams but Florida State is the better team.

Florida State 35, Miami 31

Stanford at No. 25 Notre Dame, Saturday, 11:30 a.m. (PDT), NBC

What do you get when you take two quasi-intellectual, arrogant schools with sub-par football teams and make them play each other? Well, you get this Saturday's Notre Dame-Stanford game! I will draw eight random cards from a deck, the first four added together will be Notre Dame's score, the second four will be Stanford's score. And the winner is....

Stanford 31, Notre Dame 29

No. 8 Ohio State at No. 24 Wisconsin, Saturday, 12:30 p.m. (PDT) ABC

I believe in karma, and so Wisconsin will win this game. When OSU was playing Penn State last week, Penn State CB Adam Taliaferro suffered a paralyzing spinal cord injury after a bad hit. He was carted off the field with the Buckeyes leading 38-6 with 1:39 to play. So Cooper had his team throw a long pass and score another touchdown. Nice way to rub it in.

Wisconsin 24, Ohio State 14