2010 College Football Predictions: Previewing All Pac-10 Games in Week 2
The Pac-10 was undoubtedly up and down in Week 1 of the 2010 college football season. Some teams lived up to their hype, while others disappointed as each team began its quest to land a berth in the 2010 Rose Bowl.
As Week 2 of the season starts up, let's preview each of the Pac-10 games this week and predict the winners.
Colorado at California
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Both Colorado and California enter the matchup in northern California with wins under their belts.
Colorado, who beat rival Colorado State in Week 1, got the season off to a good start in what will be a crucial year for head coach Dan Hawkins, who has yet to post a winning season for the Buffaloes after arriving in 2006.
The California Golden Bears took down UC Davis in their season opener, where the defense shined by limiting the Aggies to 81 total yards on offense.
Colorado will have to improve on offense if they wish to compete with Cal after posting 307 total yards against CSU, while Cal put up 517 total yards.
The Golden Bears have the edge at quarterback, with Kevin Riley putting up 258 yards and three touchdowns in just over two quarters of play. While Colorado quarterback Tyler Hanson's 192 yards and two touchdowns are still impressive, he might struggle against the tougher defense.
Prediction: California
Syracuse at Washington
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The Washington Huskies have one of the toughest schedules in the country this year. After a close loss to BYU, the Huskies now have the task of redeeming themselves against Syracuse at home.
Syracuse won its first season opener since 2003 in Week 1 against Akron in a lopsided win where the defense ruled. Syracuse returned two blocked Akron field goals for touchdowns and held the Zips to 166 total yards.
Orange quarterback Ryan Nassib wasn't too shabby either, posting 229 yards and two passing touchdowns.
Washington quarterback Jake Locker had 266 passing yards and one touchdown in Week 1, while star running back Chris Polk ran for 92 yards and zero touchdowns.
If the Husky offense can live up to its hype under the leadership of Locker and use the home field advantage, they should be able to pick up a Week 2 win.
Prediction: Washington
Montana State at Washington State
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An FBS team playing a non-conference FCS team—shouldn't be a problem, right?
Well, when the FBS team is Washington State, don't count out the Division I-AA school.
Washington State got blown out in Week 1 against Oklahoma State 65-17, which wasn't a surprise to anyone. A plus for the Cougars is starting quarterback Jeff Tuel was still able to put up decent numbers against a fierce Cowboy defense in their season opener.
Tuel threw for 212 yards and one touchdown against OSU, which should mean that he will have greater success against Montana State.
A plus for Montana State? They might be able to get past the weak Cougar defense that allowed 544 yards in Week 1.
Prediction: Washington State
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Oregon at Tennessee
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This is a huge game for both schools, as the AP-ranked No. 7 Oregon Ducks travel to take on the Tennessee Volunteers in one of the most anticipated games this week.
The Ducks dismantled the New Mexico Lobos 72-0 in their home opener. As expected, the Oregon team is as strong as ever, both on offense and defense.
The Ducks totalled 720 yards on offense while allowing just 107 yards from the Lobos in a game where almost every player on the team saw some playing time.
Tennessee also had a shutout performance in Week 1, beating Tennessee-Martin 52-0 with 537 total yards on offense (332 of that rushing).
The Volunteers are clearly the underdog heading into the game, but they have been known to have power performances and pull off upsets in the past.
The fact is, the Vols might not have enough to keep up with the stacked talent of the Oregon Ducks.
Prediction: Oregon
Northern Arizona at Arizona State
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The Arizona State Sun Devils take on yet another FCS foe in Week 2 after a 54-9 win over Portland State in their home opener.
The Lumberjacks, picked to finish fifth in the Big Sky Conference, are being led by Mississippi transfer quarterback Michael Herrick and true freshman running back Zach Bauman.
Herrick completed 15 of 25 passes for 178 yards and two touchdowns against Western New Mexico, while Bauman rushed for 167 yards and four touchdowns.
Arizona State quarterback Steven Threet will return to the field after setting a school debut record of completing 14 of 21 passes for 239 yards and two touchdowns in a game that could be a duel of the two schools' talented QBs.
Alongside Threet will be the rushing game that emerged in the Sun Devils' season opener. Running back Cameron Marshall rushed for 104 yards and three touchdowns on four carries—yes, four carries.
Prediction: Arizona State
The Citadel at Arizona
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The Arizona Wildcats head back home to take on the Citadel after a win over the Toledo Rockets.
Nick Foles and the Wildcats traveled to Ohio to take on the Toledo Rockets for their season opener, where the quarterback completed 32 of 37 passes for 360 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. Foles' Game 1 performance was enough to place the 'Cats in second place in passing yards in the nation.
The Citadel, who gained a win over the Chowan Braves last week, will undoubtedly struggle against the fierce Arizona offense in this unmatched game in Arizona Stadium after allowing 311 total yards in Week 1.
Prediction: Arizona
Stanford at UCLA
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In the first Pac-10 conference duel of the year, the AP No. 25 Stanford Cardinal take on the UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl.
UCLA struggled in its first game against Kansas State, losing to the Wildcats 31-22. Bruins quarterback Kevin Prince completed just nine of 26 passing attempts for 120 yards and one touchdown—numbers that are not going to gain a win over Stanford.
Andrew Luck led the Cardinal to a 52-17 win over Sacramento State in its season debut, passing for 316 yards and a career-high four touchdowns.
Stanford is likely to dominate the Bruin defense with its air and ground attack that was prevalent in its Week 1 win.
Prediction: Stanford
Virginia at USC
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The No.16 USC Trojans are fresh off a 49-36 win over Hawaii in their season opener, where the offense shined and the defense, well, didn't.
Matt Barkley started off strong, completing 18 of 23 passes for 257 passing yards and tying a school record with five passing touchdowns.
Meanwhile, the dismal Trojan defense allowed 36 points, something unseen in recent years by a non-BCS team against the Trojans.
Virginia posted impressive offensive numbers in their season-opening win over Richmond. The Cavaliers had 488 total offensive yards, 283 of that being passing.
If the Trojan defense continues to struggle, Virginia's offense could rack up the points in a game that will be a battle of the offenses.
Prediction: USC
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
