Brett Fera sports editor

Arizona vs. Washington State

No one listened to my choice for Wildcat Athlete of the Week this week. Clay Hardt? Thirteen tackles was a huge effort, but I passed. Heavner? Way to hang, kid, but get some more reps and we'll talk. My choice: Danny Baugher. Eight punts for close to a 50-yard clip kept TCU in check all night. I guess being sports editor means nothing anymore. Congrats to big No. 33.
     Arizona 22, WSU 20
(did you expect anything else?)

Arizona State vs. Southern California

A midseason (yawn) battle for the Pacific-10 crown? Not quite, as Southern California thought its trip to "Bezerk-ley" was just another bye week. Lest we forget, however, that parity is the word ÷ or maybe it should be parody ÷ whenever anyone says the words "Pac-10" and "national title" in the same sentence. But, as assistant news editor Devin Simmons says, "You just can't lose with a bunch of Trojans."
     Southern Cal 37, Zona State 17

Michigan vs. Iowa

Iowa wasn't supposed to be this good. Are they this good? Michigan's prognosis: An overrated running back (Chris Perry) whose bandwagon got a flat on the way to 2000 yards and the Heisman Trophy, a quarterback who's never been as good as advertised in John Navarre, and a program that has no "it" factor ÷ like Charles Woodson, who single-handledly won the Wolvies a BCS crown in the Rose Bowl ÷ need to get ready for a bad taste of reality.
     Iowa 24, Michigan 19

Texas vs. Kansas State

Mack Brown is notorious for wasting talent (Major Applewhite, Chris Simms). Chance Mock, the Horns' current signal caller, is next on the list for Brown to break. Will Mack smack Chance Mock's chance at stardom? (Say that 10 times fast.) This weekend, The El (Roberson) train is back on track and coming through Austin. Choo-Choo! Like I said, I always pick the Wildcats ÷ even if they do wear purple.
     Kansas State 27, Texas 10

Shane Dale assistant sports editor

Arizona vs. Washington State

This game will be like having to work a double shift at Burger King the day after your father's funeral. How do you get prepared to go on the road against a Cougar team that went into a top-10 team's house and beat them, 55-16 ÷ and after your coach was forced to leave you forever? Rarely in sports has there been a greater test of a team's emotional stability.
     Washington State 44, Arizona 14

Arizona State vs. Southern California

Which team's face is redder after last week's respective choke jobs? The Trojans' 3-OT loss to Cal was more of a national embarrassment. But since Oregon State's gone from stink-mode to national power and back in just a few short seasons, its blowout of the Devils last week was probably worse. At any rate, USC still has some offense to showcase ÷ ASU apparently does not.
     USC 31, Arizona State 9

Michigan vs. Iowa

Turns out that the Hawkeyes' job of holding ASU to two points two weeks ago doesn't look as impressive since the Beavers made sport of them. Still, Iowa's given up one touchdown in three home games this season. Michigan, on the other hand, has yet to prove it can beat a good team in a hostile environment this year. An upset in the making? Close, but not quite.
     Michigan 24, Iowa 21

Texas vs. Kansas State

Texas did its overrated thing a little earlier than usual this year ÷ but at least they lost to a decent team. Unfortunately, Texas hasn't beaten a decent team thus far ÷ unless you consider New Mexico State, Tulane or Rice underrated. But this will be Kansas State's first road game of the year after five straight home games and a loss to Marshall last week. C'mon, Longhorns.
     Texas 41, Kansas State 31

Justin St. Germain staff writer

Arizona vs. Washington State

Coming off a much-improved performance against TCU, and with a new coach at the helm, Arizona's primed for an upset. It's just not going to come against Wazzu. If it weren't for a little bit of divine intervention from Touchdown Jesus earlier this year, the Cougars would be in the top 10. Expect a better effort from the Cats, but not enough to win. Maybe next week.
     Wazzu 27, UA 10

Arizona State vs. Southern California

This game ought to feature more choking than a chicken-eating contest between Mama Cass and Latrell Sprewell. Last week, SC tanked it right out of the gate against Cal, and Andrew Walter led the grossly overrated Devils to defeat by throwing three picks, proving what my crazy uncle used to say: Never trust a guy with two first names.
     SC 42, ASU 24

Michigan vs. Iowa

Two first names theory, exhibit two: Iowa running back Fred Russell caught a bad case of fumblitis last week, fumbling thrice and handing Michigan State 13 points in an upset loss. Michigan keeled over in almost identical fashion the week before against Oregon ÷ rendering this game, which was supposed to be a crucial Big Ten showdown, an afterthought.
     Michigan 38, Iowa 28

Texas vs. Kansas State

K-State plays five straight home games to open the season, beating Cal, two teams with "State" in their names that aren't even named after actual states, and UMass, then losing to Marshall ÷ and somehow is still in the top 15? Likewise, Texas lost to the only real team it has played, but boasts the top scoring offense in the nation and the No. 2-rated passer. ÎHorns in a romp.
     Texas 59, KSU 21

James Kelley staff writer

Arizona vs. Washington State

Despite what President Likins said, Washington State will be thinking that the UA will go after Mike Price. WSU is good and now mad enough to handle Arizona in the Palouse. The real questions are whether or not the new-look Cats can play well enough to fill Arizona Stadium for UCLA and ÷ of course ÷ why does Hankwitz wear long sleeves so much when it is hot?
     Wazzu 24, Arizona 14

Arizona State vs. Southern California

Last week in Berkeley, the sun went down on SC's perfect season. Too bad that won't happen Saturday in Hell ÷ I mean, Tempe. If you know any "So-Calis" (provided that my LA native sports editor doesn't edit this out and replace it with one of those HILARIOUS "Saddam reads the Wildcat" filler ads), you know USC will be too busy complaining about the daytime heat.
     Tempe 95¼, Troy 76¼
(The Weather Channel contributed to this report.)

Michigan vs. Iowa

Now that I have most UA students mad at me (well, the ones who couldn't get into a UC school at least), I have to explain my picks. I've noticed most of them are wrong, so I decided to do the opposite. That'll get me a Yankees job ÷ a la George Costanza ÷ and a ring, unlike the "Dead Sox." So, I pick Iowa. Or maybe I don't? Or do I?
     Iowa 35, Michigan 23

Texas vs. Kansas State

Mackovic has as many conference titles as Mack Brown since Î98 (when Brown replaced Johnny): zero. At least Mackovic won the last two Southwest Conference Championships and the first Big XII title. The purple Wildcats will realize that they are not playing the Arizona School for the Deaf and Blind and begin UT's slide. Maybe Texas should rehire the man who rebuilt the ÎHorns. I hear he's available.
     K-State 27, Texas 14