Pac-10 Football Against the Spread: Washington, Cal, UCLA in Trouble

Pac-10 Football Against the Spread came within an Oregon State touchdown of its first winning record in Week Four.

Baby steps.

Week Five in the Pac-10 is loaded with intrigue. UCLA opens Pac-10 play against the conference's only 2-0 team—Stanford—while No. 24 Cal hosts No. 7 USC with serious bowl implications in play (Rose and otherwise).

On to our first winning week of 2009...

This season: 4-16-1

All picks against the spread.
Lines taken from Yahoo.com.

UCLA (plus-5.5) AT STANFORD

UCLA is undefeated, Stanford is perfect in Pac-10 play. Something has to give. UCLA is that something. Yes, the win at Tennessee was impressive, but the Bruins offense has yet to impress. Following two impressive wins (42-17 over San Jose, 34-13 over Washington), the Card make a statement on national television.  I'll take: Stanford

WASHINGTON (plus-13) AT NOTRE DAME

The Huskies 34-13 loss reminded us all they're still just a year removed from a 0-12 record in 2008. As impressive as the win against USC was, Jimmy Clausen isn't Aaron Corp and South Bend isn't Seattle. The Irish are good enough to repeat Stanford's 20-point drubbing of Washington. I'll take: Notre Dame

OREGON STATE (plus-5) AT ARIZONA STATE

Oregon State has failed to cover three straight weeks. Both the Beavers and Sun Devils are coming off losses—ASU in a 20-17 nail-biter against No. 21 Georgia, OSU in a five-point loss to Arizona. What does Vegas know that I don't? I'll take: Arizona State

USC (minus-4.5) AT CAL

Last season's 17-3 loss to USC came a week after Cal topped No. 24 Oregon 26-16 in Berkeley. This season, the Bears host the Trojans following a 39-point loss at Oregon. Kevin Riley imploded in Eugene, Jahvid Best did serious damage to his Heisman campaign, and the Cal defense—which looked like their best in years—allowed a season-high six touchdowns to the Ducks. I'll take: USC

WASHINGTON STATE (plus-35) AT OREGON

The Trojans couldn't cover a 45-point spread against the Cougars in a 27-6 win, Oregon tackles a 35-point margin in Eugene. If Jeff Tuel starts, WSU keeps it closer than five scores. I'll take: Washington State

Another tip of the cap to Jon Wilner’s College Sports Hotline, the inspiration for 'Pac-10 Football Against The Spread.' Follow Grant Marek on Twitter: @Grant_Marek