Shane Dale assistant sports editor

Arizona vs. Oregon State
As Tazz says when he introduces Brock Lesnar on WWE Smackdown!: "Well· here comes the pain!" After a 5-1 start, Oregon State has lost two in a row ÷ and they're in a foul mood. Enter the 1-7 Wildcats to Corvallis. The only positive is that the game will be tape delayed locally. So at least you'll know how bad it was ahead of time and use your time more wisely.

Oregon State 27, Arizona 7

(3) USC vs. (6) Wash. State
Minus a fourth-quarter collapse at Notre Dame opening week, the Cougars would be undefeated and right up there with Oklahoma and Miami atop the BCS standings. As it is, WSU is 8th in the poll, well behind the top seven, which includes the No. 4 Trojans. It's okay, though; after USC is through with them, the Cougars won't feel so bad about that loss to the Irish.

USC 41, Washington State 21

Oklahoma vs. Oklahoma St.
Three years in a row? Nah. Fact is, this year's Sooners are better than their championship team of three seasons ago. Of course they beat Texas again ÷ but 65-13? The Cowboys must have had to loosen their collars after hearing that score. Speaking of Oklahoma State: Wake me when they beat a ranked team. Oh, but what the hell, we need a big upset this weekend. Yee haw!

Oklahoma State 35, Oklahoma 34

Miami vs. Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech lost to West Virginia, and Miami almost lost to West Virginia? And the Mountaineers aren't even ranked. Whatever. Anyway, neither team is as good as advertised ÷ the only difference is that everyone already knows that about the Hokies after last week. The Hurricanes will keep it a secret for at least another week.

Miami 27, Virginia Tech 10

Justin St. Germain staff writer

Arizona vs. Oregon State
After a 1-3 performance last week, my season staff picks record is looking spottier than Drew Brees' face, so for this game I consulted the wisest of college football oracles: EA Sports NCAA Football 2004. The result: Arizona by three TDs. However, Clarence Farmer and Andrae Thurman combined for five scores in the game, which means the chronic lateness/academic ineligibility-adjusted score is:

Beavers 35, Wildcats 21

(3) USC vs. (6) Wash. State
In a perfect world, it would be Oregon State entering the Coliseum, so I could throw in a few juvenile puns about the Beavers busting the Trojans and what not. But alas, I'll have to pick against SC for the second straight week without the aid of overused potty humor. Speaking of which, memo to SI On Campus: "Wazzu" is short for Washington State; "Wazoo" refers to something else entirely.

Wazzu 31, USC 28

Oklahoma vs. Oklahoma St.
There's so much at stake at Bedlam this year: a possible third straight upset for OSU; a shot at the Big XII title; in all likelihood, ownership rights to scores of livestock; and of course, the honor of being the best football team in the state that holds the dubious distinction of being the crappiest state with a panhandle. If Mike Stoops' defense gets torched by a conference foe, does that mean the UA will immediately hire him?

OU 58, OSU 42

Miami vs. Virginia Tech
The most interesting thing about this game is not that it's the best football game of the week. It's that both Virginia Tech and West Virginia are playing home games on the same day. Best-case scenario: A bunch of drunken rioting results in a few more inbred citizens of these two states. Worst case, both states are wiped off the map ÷ which is also the best case, if you think about it.

Va. Tech 35, Miami 31

Branden Lombardi staff writer

Arizona vs. Oregon State
Could we talk about LeBron instead? With Clarence Farmer being dismissed from the team, Arizona football has lost the last interesting storyline for the season: Farmer's re-emergence. Oh well, what is a 1-11 record anyway? Beaver running back Stephen Jackson is looking forward to helping the Wildcats achieve that record as he looks to put two sub-par games behind him when the Beavers lost. Luckily, this one won't be televised.

Beavers 41, Wildcats 17

(3) USC vs. (6) Wash. State
The Men of Troy have waxed Notre Dame and pounded the Huskies of Washington in the last two weeks, solidifying themselves as the best one-loss team in the country ÷ although the fatally flawed BCS doesn't think so. Washington State should be undefeated if it weren't for that collapse in early September against Notre Dame. Still, are they as good as their ranking? Time to kiss up to the future in-laws.

Wazzu 37, USC 31

Oklahoma vs. Oklahoma St.
Two straight Sooner losses to their in-state rival have many picking the Cowboys despite the fact that they are 16-point underdogs. Sure, Cowboy wideout Rashaun Woods had an impressive three-TD performance last year and returns to lead the Cowboys' offensive attack, but the Sooners and future Heisman winner QB Jason White aren't about to lose to their in-state rival at home in Norman for the second time in three years.

Boomer Sooner 34, Cowboys 21

Miami vs. Virginia Tech
Miami has looked vulnerable in several games this year, and quarterback Brock Berlin has turned the ball over in every game but one, but still, Miami is undefeated. On the other side of the ball, Virginia Tech is "fired" up coming off an upset loss to West Virginia. With that said, I have picked against the ÎCanes one too many times, so maybe reverse psychology will work.

Criminals· err, Hurricanes 27, Hokies 21