Oregon Magazine

Cover

Pigskin Pete
Pigskin Goes 4-1,
Forecasts Full Slate

By Fred Delkin

We approach the wrapup month for Pac10 play with a forecasting competence bolstered by a 9-1 record over the past two weeks. Oregon's destruction of perrenial champion USC was a winning pick, but far more one-sided than our crystal ball showed beforehand. Now the league-leading Quackers travel to Stanford and if they can dampen the euphoria created by the SC romp, they will add to their conference dominance. We believe that UO mentor Chip Kelly
will have his lads focused and therefore we see OREGON by 3, but it will be a memorable tussle with a vastly improved Cardinal group.

The OSU Beavers have been finishing strong in recent seasons, but we think their defensive deficiencies will prove an unconquerable handicap at California. The Bears have bounced back from a shaky start and are looking much more like the team that was pegged a title contender before the season began. CALIFORNIA by 7.

The wounded SC Trojans should regain their poise this week at Arizona State, which has not lived up to expectations. Sun Devil coach Dennis Erickson hasn't collected enough talent on either side of the ball to overcome the legions of Troy. SOUTHERN CAL by 14.

Washington superstar Jake Locker has shown recovery from a severe thigh bruise inflicted in the Huskies' Oregon loss and has had a bye week to aid recovery. He should provide his coach Steve Sarksian with enough firepower to add another defeat to UCLA's sorry season. Sark and all Husky fans have awaited this opportunity to extract revenge for Bruin coach Ricky Newheisel's past pecadillos that began the Husky's almost full decade of collapse.
WASHINGTON by 14.

Season's end will come none too soon for the Washington State Cougars, who take their sorry souls to Arizona this week. The Cougs have far less talent than any team in the Pac10 and Arizona is enjoying a banner year and second place in current league standings. We don't believe that Cougar coach Paul Wulff will be aensconced in Pullman for more than one more year. ARIZONA by 35.

There's another coach that could be looking for work very soon. Jerry Glanville has failed to achieve any growth in the strength of the Portland State team after three years of stewardship. Glanville talks a great game, but his co-mentor Mouse Davis realized it was all hype and no bite when he resigned before the season opened. The Vikings' fall in Big Sky ranks will be accelerated at PGE Park Saturday with the visitation of Montana State. BOBCATS by 14.