Oregon Magazine

Cover

Pigskin Pete
Pigskin Breaks Even, 3-3
As Season Winds Down

By Fred Delkin

After going 9-1 in the previous two weeks, we came up short this past Saturday as Oregon schools split their fortunes and Washington slumped on the road. Now it's crunch time in the Pac10, with Oregon and Arizona leading with only a single league loss apiece. The Ducks defense failed to stop an old-fashioned power push by Stanford to create the Quackers' first conference defeat while Oregon State continued their Berkley dominance of California. Now Oregon hosts Arizona State and the Beavers take on Washington in Corvallis. We expect both Oregon schools to win and enhance their postseason bowl hopes.

Oregon had shown a masterful defense in recent outings, but Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh took a Vince Lombardi approach to trample the Ducks with Cardinal tailback Tony Gerhart racking up well over 200 rushing yards. Webfoot offensive magic will be tested by Arizona State Saturday, but the Sun Devils' attack can't survive in Autzen stadium. OREGON by 14.

The OSU Beavers are following their pattern of recent seasons: starting out stumbling, but gaining strength as the weeks roll by. The Bevos are showing a diversified attack, both rushing and passing, and the visiting Huskies don't have any defensive depth. This will result in another triumph for the Orange & Black. UW's masterful QB force, Jake Locker, will not be enough to prevent the Beavers from building another dam. OREGON STATE by 14.

Best game of the weekend should unfold in the L.A. Coliseum, where USC hosts Stanford. The Cardinal offense should sorely test the Trojan defense and if the SC attack doesn't show marked improvement, this should be close. SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA by 3.

Arizona has been the surprise performer in the Pac10 derby, but we believe a visit to California may be the Wildcats' undoing. The host Golden Bears should be spurred by their unexpected home loss to Oregon State and they desperately need a win to earn a bowl berth. CAL by 3.

UCLA overcame QB woes to dump Washington last week and their visit to Washington State Saturday should be a laugher for the Bruins. WSU looks like a junior varsity squad in comparison to any other Pac10 member. UCLA by 35.

The Portland State Vikings end a sorry season with a journey to winless Idaho State and PSU has just enough strength to overcome their weak hosts. This should be the last hurrah for PSU coach Jerry Glanville, who in three years on the Park blocks has only seen his program deteriorate. The PSU administration should be focused on sinking the Glanville showboat with an ambitious new, young head coaching aspirant, or season ticket sales for 2010 will look like the turnout for a
Division III non-scholarship program. PORTLAND STATE by 9.