Wednesday, October 14, 1998
Pac-10 Notebook
No. 16 Arizona (5-1, 2-1) at Oregon St. (4-2, 2-0)
time: 12:30 PM
Wildcats: Arizona holds a commanding 18-2-1 series lead and
figures to make it 19 on Saturday. After a collapse in the second
half which resulted in a 52-28 loss to the Bruins last week, the
Wildcats figure to pounce on the Beavers. Arizona QB Ortege Jenkins
participated in all four touchdowns from last year’s 27-7 Wildcat
victory (three passing and one rushing).
Wildcat to watch: RB Trung Canidate
Beavers: Although the team came away with their first Pac-10 win
of the season last week against Stanford, the No. 16 Wildcats
should prove to be too much. OSU tailback Ken Simonton ranks 23rd
in the nation with 106.83 rushing yards per game, but last year the
Beavers were held to 42 yards on the ground.
Beaver to watch: WR Tim Alexander
Prediction: Arizona 48, OSU 17
California (4-1, 2-0) at Washington (3-2, 1-1)
time: 3:30 PM
Bears: Can Cal pull off a second Pac-10 upset in a row?
Doubtful, but stranger things than a Bear 32-31 win over previously
ranked USC have happened. Last year Cal kept the game close until
Washington ran off 23 unanswered second half points for a final
score of 30-3. The Bears actually moved the ball and had the
advantage in total offense (344-336) but could not take advantage
of their opportunities.
Bear to watch: WR Dameane Douglas
Huskies: Although Washington leads the series 41-32-4, the nine
game margin is deceiving when taking into the account the past 15
games. The Huskies have won the last 15 games in a row and the last
seven played at home. Only with a strong performance from the Bears
secondary should this game even be close near the end. If Husky QB
Brock Huard is kept quiet, then expect the special teams to play a
major role in the outcome.
Husky to watch: KR Toure Butler
Prediction: Washington 33, Cal 24
USC (4-2, 2-1) at Washington St. (3-3, 0-3)
time: 7:15 PM
Trojans: How could the mighty Trojans fall to Cal? A lack of
enthusiasm seems like the only reason. The Trojans managed to score
31 points and still fell victim to a mediocre Cal team 32-31. This
week at Washington St. new head coach Paul Hackett will make sure
his Trojans don’t underestimate their opponent. USC has won nine of
the last 10 from this Pac-10 doormat – with last year’s 28-21 loss
to the eventual Pac-10 champion the only exception.
Trojan to watch: LB Chris Clairbone
Cougars: A fall from grace for the current Pac-10 champions was
made obvious with losses to Cal, UCLA and Oregon. Washington State
has been outscored 124-60 in conference play and a trip to Pullman
no longer brings fear into the hearts of Pac-10 foes. USC has won
25 of the last 27 games in this series while holding a commanding
48-6-4 series advantage. Only if the Cougars can corral the
explosive USC WR R. Jay Soward will they have a chance in the
fourth quarter.
Cougar to watch: DB Dee Moronkola
Prediction: USC 38, WSU 21
Arizona St. (2-4, 1-2) … open date
Stanford (1-5, 0-3) … open date
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