Friday College Football Pickoff - Week 8

Every Friday to this point, our Station Manager in Prescott, Rich Howe and I have traded our Pac-10 college football and select national game predictions. Here is how we break things down this week:

Pac-10 Picks

UCLA at Arizona
Eric: UA 34, UCLA 26 - Bruins put another scare into the 'Cats...but in the end, they don't have quite enough offense to beat 'em.

Rich: UA 38, UCLA 17 - Cat offense looks too good, especially in Tucson...this is a big win for Stoops and bowl aspirations.

Oregon at Washington
Eric: Oregon 27, Washington 26 - The Huskies roller-coaster season continues with another close, crushing defeat.

Rich: Oregon 42, Washington 37 - Heart says take the 'Dogs at home, but Ducks continue on their mission...no looking ahead to USC next week...they hate the Huskies.

Washington State at California
Eric: Cal 44, WSU 10 - Did you see what (Cal running back) Jahvid Best did to the Cougs in the 1st half of last season's game? Expect a repeat.

Rich (a WSU alum): Cal 35, WSU 16 - How could I forget? First play from scrimmage...Best off tackle for 80...nightmare on Stadium Way. Coug defense is improving and had a bye week to heal. Jeff Tuel is only the second true freshman QB to start for the Cougars...the other: Drew Bledsoe in 1990. Cougs beat the 35-point spread.

Oregon State at USC
Eric: USC 30, OSU 17 - "Closer than the experts think"...the Beavers don't win but they keep it interesting until a late Trojans TD seals the win.

Rich: USC 35, OSU 21 - The Beavers aren't in Corvallis anymore...too much Trojans firepower.

Arizona State at Stanford
Eric: Stanford 24, ASU 20 - This game will be close throughout...but Stanford finds a way to win as they need this win to further their bowl aspirations more than ASU does.

Rich: I like your pick...the Cardinal will win as ASU struggles away from Tempe.


Notable National Game Picks

Florida at Mississippi State
Eric: Florida 27, MSU 16 - Like the USC-OSU game, this one will be closer than it should be...MSU's coach (Dan Mullen) is a former Gators assistant and might have a trick or two up his sleeve.

Rich: I thought maybe this could be a USC-UW type of game...I like the improvements MSU is making but no upset in Starkville this year.

Iowa at Michigan State
Eric: Iowa 20, MSU 17 - A lot of people are picking Sparty and the upset here...not me. Iowa hangs on to yet another close win. I think they will remain undefeated until they head to Columbus, OH in mid-November.

Rich: MSU is favored...they've beaten the Hawkeyes the past 4-5 years...I'm going with Sparty 23-20.

TCU at BYU
Eric: TCU 27, BYU 20 - A very good defense usually beats a very good offense...that's the case here.

Rich: This could be the most entertaining game of the day...BYU is up for the game...ESPN's College Gameday is there, loud stadium, high altitude...I like the "Y" to knock the 'Frogs out of the BCS chase...BYU 36-31.

Penn State at Michigan
Eric: Penn St. 27, Michigan 24 - No heartbreak for the Nittany Lions in Ann Arbor this time...Michigan loses another heartbreaker.

Rich: ...in overtime!

Oklahoma at Kansas
Eric: OU 31, KU 27 - I know what you're thinking...but it's not going to happen. Kansas is good...just not good enough for an OU team that badly needs this win.

Rich: My upset pick of the week - 21-18 KU.


Back Monday with a recap of all the exciting football action in Week 2 of The AZ-TV Sports Blog. Have a good football weekend everyone!