Shane Dale assistant sports editor

Arizona vs. California

Can lightning strike twice? Can the Wildcats soothe their souls with a win at Cal for the second straight year? They could. And they can. But they won't. Don't forget, the Golden Bears handed the 5th-ranked Trojans their first and only loss of the season to date. Arizona's running game will be successful for the second game in a row, and Heavner will continue to improve. But the Berkeley hippies take this one.

Cal 31, Arizona 20

So. California vs. Washington

Despite that embarrassment at Berkeley, the Trojans still have some wiggle room to sneak their way back into the Sugar Bowl. But they need some help. Miami needs to lose to Virginia Tech next week. Florida or Auburn need to knock out Georgia. Michigan needs to get some revenge on the Buckeyes. And oh yeah, the Trojans need to beat Washington and everyone else for the rest of the year. They probably will.

USC 41, Washington 24

Michigan vs. Purdue

Purdue routed Arizona, 59-7 in its third game of the season, proving the Boilermakers are the powerhouse they claim to be. Yeah. Seriously though, Purdue hasn't lost since its season opener, which at the time was considered a rather humiliating defeat at home against Bowling Green. Considering that Bowling Green cracked the Top 25 this week, maybe that loss wasn't so bad after all. But you can bet Purdue's still plenty upset about it.

Purdue 17, Michigan 13

Auburn vs. Louisiana State

LSU routed Arizona, 59-13, in its second game of the season, proving the Tigers are the powerhouse they claim to be. Yeah. Seriously though, LSU hasn't lost since ... um, two weeks ago, which at the time was considered a rather humiliating defeat at home against Florida. Considering that Florida cracked the top-25 this week, maybe that loss wasn't so bad after all. But you can bet LSU's still plenty upset about it.

LSU 17, Auburn 13

Christopher Wuensch staff writer

Arizona vs. California

What I said would happen: "Rodney Leislie delivers the knockout blow for the third straight week." What actually happened: Rodney Leisle returned an interception 55 yards for a touchdown as UCLA rallied to beat Arizona. I just might know what I'm talking about. Arizona badly needs a win and has proven it can win in Berkeley before. No records are set this time, but the Wildcats pull it off.

Arizona 26, Cal 21

So. California vs. Washington

One black mark on the Trojans' record - a terrible loss to Cal - is keeping this team from being at least No. 2 in the nation. But exorcising the ghosts of Notre Dame bodes well for Pete Carroll. They encounter an emotionally high Husker squad coming off a pawing of Oregon State. Trojan QB Matt Leinart out-duels Cody Pickett and my Pac-10 champion prediction of Washington goes out the window.

Southern California 35, Washington 28

Michigan vs. Purdue

A preseason prediction I got correct and stand by: Michigan is the most overrated team in football. However, picking Purdue in Ann Arbor would cost me my job. The Boilermakers are 4-25 all-time in Michigan Stadium. Their last win there came in 1966 - and even then, they barely won, 22-21. The Boilermakers are tough against the run, but Chris Perry is too much. Michigan wins its last game of the season.

Michigan 23, Purdue 17

Auburn vs. Louisiana State

The true test and definition of Auburn's season comes this weekend against LSU. I say the winner gets the right to use the Tigers as its mascot. What kind of backwoods conference allows two teams with the same mascot? As far as I can tell, there has never been a wild tiger spotted in the deep south. Both felines do bring outstanding running games. Passing will win the Tiger Bowl.

LSU 30, Auburn 24

Justin St. Germain staff writer

Arizona vs. California

Sure, things have been rough lately, with the Red Sox and Cubs collapsing and the Wildcats not winning a Pac-10 game since the first time I was a senior, but the sun is breaking through the clouds. Need evidence? As I write this, the Yankees are losing 3-1 with two outs in the ninth and two strikes on Ruben Sierra. That's a good omen. Cats win.

Arizona 42, Cal 24

So. California vs. Washington

Forget about that whole "good omen" thing. I neglected to notice that in the ESPN GameCast window, Ugueth Urbina was shown wearing his Red Sox hat from earlier this year. Of course, this means he just surrendered the game-tying triple. Bad omen - that means USC will lose another road conference game and the Pac-10 will not be represented in the BCS Championship yet again.

UW 31, SC 28

Michigan vs. Purdue

How the hell did Michigan win ESPN Page 2's best sports uniform balloting instead of Notre Dame's greens? I used to have a Desmond Howard UM jersey. It looked great at first, then faded quickly and started to fall apart. It must have been an authentic jersey, because that's the same thing the team does every year.

Purdue 56, Michigan 27

Auburn vs. Louisiana State

Jack McKeon wised up and pulled former Red Sox Chad Fox just in time for Braden Looper to save the day (Somewhere, I hope Grady Little is taking notes). Even better, another Marlin who hardly speaks English hit a game-winner, so I get to secretly laugh at Alex Gonzalez talking about "keeping our head downs" and then feel bad for laughing at him. Good omen - LSU ups Arizona's RPI with a win at home.

Tigers 38, Tigers 30