Pac-10 Week Nine: Oregon and USC Hit the Road vs. the Arizona Schools

The Pac-10 season is halfway through and there is a cluster at the top of the conference standings.

USC, Oregon State, Oregon, California, and Arizona all have one loss in conference.

Week Nine should break up the pack with Oregon traveling to Tempe to face Dennis Erickson and the Sun Devils, California hosting UCLA, and a battle in the desert between USC and Arizona.

Here's a quick look at—and predictions for—Week Nine:

UCLA @ California—3:30pm ET on ABC/ESPN360.com

California got spanked in Tuscon last week, losing 42-27 to Arizona.  After adding a field goal before half time to go up by 10, Cal left their intensity in the locker room and Arizona outscored the Bears 28-3 in the second half.

Cal is desperate for a win in order to remain atop the Pac-10 standings.  Jahvid Best returned to form after suffering a dislocated elbow two weeks prior.  The sophomore RB touched the ball 16 times and racked up 107 yards in the loss.

UCLA has been inconsistent at best this season. How a team gives up 250 yards on the ground and wins is a mystery to me.  Kevin Craft orchestrated a last second fourth quarter drive to put away the Stanford Cardinals and revive hopes for a bowl bid for the Bruins.

UCLA will need much better production from the running back position than last week's 86-yard performance if they want to be true bowl contenders.

Key for California: limit turnovers; get ahead and stay ahead

Key for UCLA: consistency at the QB position; aggressive play calling

Prediction: UCLA only plays well at home.  Cal needs this game badly after giving the game away last week.  Cal 31  UCLA 17

Notre Dame @ Washington—8:00pm ET on ESPN2/ESPN360.com

At this point last year Notre Dame was 1-5, this year they're 4-2 and eyeing post season play.  The Irish are dangerous through the air; Jimmy Clausen has thrown for over 1600 yards and has 14 TDs.  The Irish look to continue their momentum when they travel to Seattle where the weather calls for a cool but dry game day.

Washington's Ty Willingham faces his former team and hopes for a little redemption after being quickly dispatched as head coach four years ago. To say the Huskies have struggled is an understatement.

Even after sitting out the last two weeks with a broken thumb, Jake Locker remains Washington's leading rusher with only 180 yards.  The inept run game must improve if The Mighty Purple Ty's wish to pull the upset at home.

Key for Notre Dame: protect Jimmy Clausen; no INTs (Clausen has thrown eight.)

Key for Washington: capitalize on penalties/turnovers; find success in the run game

Prediction: While the attractive pick would be to call for Coach Willingham's redemption and a Husky win, I don't believe Washington has the talent to stay with Notre Dame.  Notre Dame  37  Washington  20

Oregon @ Arizona State—10:00pm ET (Radio Only)

Ever since being squashed in the Holiday Bowl, Arizona State has struggled to remain competitive.  USC shut the Sun Devils out 28-0 two weeks ago.  ASU has had a week to rest and prepare for the visiting Ducks.

Rudy Carpenter should be healthy and ready to fling the rock all over the field.  The offensive line will need to keep the aggressive Oregon pass rush at bay and protect Rudy.

Oregon is the toughest Pac-10 team to read.  A comeback win vs. Purdue on the road, then a complete flop against Boise State at home.  Last week Oregon held off a pesky Bruin team to remain tied for first in conference.  QB Justin Roper could see playing time returning from injury—very good news for the Oregon offense. 

In the last three games Oregon has only managed 383 yards through the air.  Although their 729 yards rushing over the same three-game period has kept them competitive, teams will soon load the box and make Oregon beat them through the air.

Key for Arizona State: protect Rudy; exploit the weak Oregon secondary

Key for Oregon: find offensive balance; pressure the quarterback

Prediction: Both teams have had an extra week to prepare, who knows which way this game goes.  Oregon is one dimensional on offense and can't cover the play action pass, which ASU executes wonderfully.  ASU  34   Oregon 28

No. 5 USC @ Arizona—10:15pm ET on FSN

USC has been on a tear ever since their letdown in Corvallis.  The Trojans have given up 10 points in their last three games and have pitched shutouts in the last two.  Joe McKnight should return to the backfield and give USC an added dimension on offense.

Defensively the Trojans will need good secondary play. Tuitama loves to throw and has the supporting cast to do so.

Arizona is on an emotional high and excited at the opportunity to upset the Trojans.  After a crushing loss to Stanford on the road, Arizona continued their dreams of a Pac-10 championship with a second half comeback beating then-No. 25 California 42-27.  Arizona hopes to ride the momentum wave and knock off USC for the first time since 2000.

Key for USC: don't buy into upset talk; be ready from the starting kick off

Key for Arizona: contain USC's run game; execute on offense

Prediction: The giant that is USC has been awakened, and that's bad news for the rest of the Pac-10.  Arizona fights valiantly but loses badly.  USC  42  Arizona 17

Standings after Week Nine

USC        4-1  (6-1)

Cal         3-1  (5-2)

OSU       3-1  (4-3)

Arizona   3-2  (5-3)

Oregon   3-2  (5-3)

Stan      3-2  (4-4)

ASU       2-2  (3-4)

UCLA     2-3   (3-5)

WSU      0-5   (1-7)

Wash     0-5   (0-7)