Why pliable? Well, I should have picked the opposite team in each one of these games, but I let the influence of what I want to happen control my prognostications.

This puts an end to a light week of activity on the blog. Oregon State doesn’t play, so I have a chance of going perfect after missing on the Beavers for four straight weeks.

California @ UCLA
Let me get this straight. The Pac-10s featured game on ABC boasts two teams sitting at 0-2 in conference that have been outscored by a combined 120-32? Uh, Stanford at Arizona, anyone?

I think…UCLA’s defense at home might control the offensively inept Bears and pull out the win.
I’m picking…California because Jahvid Best and the Bears offense has to be better than what they’ve shown in two Pac-10 games. Right?

USC @ Notre Dame
Something’s telling me to pick Notre Dame here. That seems ridiculous but this feels like one of those streak-breaking years where the Fighting Irish could finally beat the Trojans.

I think…Notre Dame is much improved and can beat the Trojans at home
I’m picking…USC because technically, they have more talent, but more so, I just want them to win to set up the Halloween matchup with Oregon.

Stanford @ Arizona
Is it possible that Arizona was looking ahead to Stanford and the Cardinal looked ahead to the Wildcats? Has anything like that ever been said? These two teams had a chance to meet up a combined 6-0 in conference play with rankings to boot. Instead, both lost road games in the Pacific Northwest to take some shine off an unlikely pivotal matchup.

I think…Arizona and Stanford are teams on a similar level and the home team is always the better pick under such circumstances.
I’m picking…Stanford because I hitched my wagon to this horse long ago and I’m not giving up on the Cardinal yet.

Washington @ Arizona State
It’s a road game, and like Stanford, the Huskies are one of those teams on their way up that hasn’t figured out life away from home. But I’m making it 4-4 this week in picking road teams to win which almost assures me of a very bad week.

I think…Washington can’t win on the road even if it is a team they can beat.
I’m picking…the Huskies because I’ve been clamoring for some meaning to the Oregon-Washington rivalry for the past three years.

Seeing as how I reported Ed Dickson missing a couple weeks ago, figured I'd let Oregon know I found him.

Sunday is so much nicer after a win.

1. I’m young. I always operate under the assumption that football started in 1994. So when I say that was the best all-around performance in a regular season game by Oregon, it’s without a lot of perspective. Still, it’s hard to imagine the Ducks ever being more abusive to a top ten team.
2. Chin up Cal, you’re not the first to see dreams die at the hands of Autzen. Now, do you understand?
3. As one text I got during the game said, “anything you can do, we can do worser!” Every time Oregon made a mistake, Cal returned the favor whether it was a fumble or a five yard punt.
4. For those of you watching the game on TV, how excited are you for ABC’s new comedy lineup? Kelsey Grammer is a businessman turned family man in Hank! It’s hilarious!
5. Can we hire someone to permanently follow Jeremiah Masoli and berate him? I figure the more we heckle this guy, the better chance we have of willing him to a Heisman Trophy. Most of us need food and water to subsist. He apparently feeds only on your doubts.
6. Jahvid Best, you may formally transfer your Heisman Trophy application to LaMichael James. If you need the address, let me know.
7. Note: The previous two Heisman statements are jokes. Let’s not get carried away here.
8. Andy Ludwig should be forever banned from Autzen Stadium. Well, he’s welcome anytime as far as I’m concerned, but I would just leave him at home if I’m Tedford.
9. For those of you wanting some Nate Costa against Cal, wish granted.
10. Someone send John Canzano a schedule and ask him if he can find six wins for Oregon. Just sayin’.
11. Speaking of which, how good does the schedule look all of a sudden?
12. Uh, Washington fans, consider this our response to the loud barking you’ve been doing in the wake of your USC win. We’ll be ready.

If there is a diametric opposite in this universe to what we witnessed against Boise State, it was shown for four hours Saturday in Autzen Stadium. It was as dominant a performance as has ever been seen from an Oregon team and in drubbling Cal 42-3, the Ducks announced their return to the Pac-10 title race.

Of course, they never really left, but most had written them off after losing to Boise State. In ESPN’s College Pick ‘Em game, 93% of the nation picked Cal and with a high level of confidence. Everyone loved Cal, save for zany fans incapable of objective analysis (guilty). Oregon had even dropped in the rankings after beating Purdue and barely registered after a win over Utah.

None of that matters, but it shows just how far off the radar Oregon had gone. On the opening kick with Walter Thurmond III fumbling and getting injured, it looked like the nation might be right. Then, Oregon went three and out on the first offensive possession. Followed that up with a fumble, but on the same play, Cal’s Josh Hill fumbled the recovery back to Oregon and the Ducks ended up with a first down. From there, the snowball rolled downhill into a mountainous avalanche of  California dream busting.

But before you can compliment the offense on its coming out party, you have to recognize what the defense did. Because really, that’s what won this game. The inauspicious start could have gone bad quickly, but the defense buckled down and stopped any thoughts of Cal rolling up an early lead. No TJ Ward? Whatever. Walter Thurmond III’s not going to be available? Big deal. Without what would be considered Oregon’s top two defensive players, the Ducks put on an effort for the ages.

They gave up a measly three points on a drive that they forced Cal to a net of negative eight yards. The Bears never reached the 20 yard line. In fact, Cal’s best drive was stopped at the  Ducks 26 and ended in a missed field goal. In the end, the Bears were held to 45 points under their average. And Jahvid Best’s Heisman campaign? Buried.

Relish the moment for now. On the wild pendulum that is 2009 Oregon football, the expectations are back at a fever pitch. There are more highs and lows to come. Hopefully, more of the former and less of the latter.

You wanna’ know something? I’m a fan and if I don’t want to be logical, then dammit, I don’t have to be. So sets the stage for the rest of this post.

I could have done it. I could have said Cal over Oregon and nobody would blame me. Cal has its top running back, they don’t turn the ball over, they’re efficient. Basically, they’re everything Oregon is not. Of course picking Cal makes sense.

But I don’t want to.

It’s in Autzen Stadium and before some miracle of fumbles two years ago, Cal hadn’t won there since Oregon wore, well, what they’re going to wear on Saturday I guess. This isn’t their stadium. It’s not their fans. They’re not superior in talent. Who’s to say the Ducks can’t win this game?

Sure, it’s going to take a performance from Jeremiah Masoli that none of us have seen since I was dancing in the aisles of Qualcomm Stadium under the influence of an elixir called, damn, what the hell was I drinking that day? That was fun.

And yes, it’s going to take an even better performance from the defense than we saw against Utah. Can’t turn the ball over either. And better not have drive-killing penalties. Whew, this is starting to add up. Maybe I should rethink this pick.

“Snap out of it Nick!”

Huh, oh yeah.

I’m picking Oregon. That’s right, the Ducks!

And if they don’t win, well, does Chip do refunds on gambled wages?

Psst, Cal, I just wanted to let you know you have a huge game against USC next week. It’s going to be epic. You’re a top ten team, they’re a top ten team (in one poll). I mean, it’s big, right? College GameDay might even visit your beautiful Strawberry Canyon stadium. That’s never happened before. You must be really excited to meet Chris Fowler, Lee Corso and the orangest man alive, Kirk Herbstreit. That thing’s on national TV in primetime, too, right? Wow, how exciting!

Have you heard all the talk that you might be the team to beat this year? No, seriously, everyone thinks you’re going to dethrone the Trojans of Troy. They say Jahvid Best might be a Heisman front-runner and that he could run all over USC’s defense. Your secondary, that’s a good unit, too. It looks like Matt Barkley could throw a few picks your way.

You’re excited, aren’t you? Has there ever been a bigger game in the history of your stadium? Probably not. Just think of all that energy flowing through the stadium right before the ball is kicked off. This is going to be your chance to stick your flag in the Pac-10’s proverbial surface and proclaim it Golden Bear country.

Nobody blames you for looking ahead. I’d be excited, too. I’d probably gloss right over the patsy on the schedule that you haven’t lost to in 4 years. In fact, you should. Rest up, stay healthy. Mentally prepare yourselves for the juggernaut that is USC.

If nothing else, at least you’ll have an excuse on Sunday.

Say it with me, now. “I trust the Oregon defense to win this game.” Do you feel better? No? Neither do I.

But the concept is true. The Duck’s defense has rarely been so important to the outcome of a single game. For all the time I’ve been following Oregon football (and it’s not that long), each Saturday was about the offense being dominant enough to win. If they weren’t, well, they have lost 35 games this decade (I kid defense, I kid).

The offense in three games has been all over the map. Poor passing, poor running and poor blocking have plagued the team. It’s not always at the same time, but there’s something fundamentally missing from the the scoring side of the ball right now. After all, the offense is only averaging 18.67 points per game (excludes defense and special teams scores). Putting it mildly, this isn’t what we expected.

So while the youthful offense grows into something more formidable, it’s up to the defense to carry the load. And from what I’ve seen, I think they can. Against No. 6 Cal, though, they face their biggest test.

The Bears are first in the Pac-10 in total offense and scoring, but beyond numbers you mostly should be worried about Cal’s running game. The Bears will win or lose this game on the performance of Jahvid Best and backup Shane Vereen. Jeff Tedford’s offenses have always been about the running game first. He’s had a 1,000 yard back in seven straight seasons and it was the same when he was at Oregon.

The Bears ability running the ball can completely quiet a raucous crowd. There’s nothing more frustrating for a fan and opposing team than a dominant rushing attack that monopolizes the ball and the clock. And in doing so, Cal can control Oregon’s daunting home field advantage leaving the Ducks in a position where the offense has to perform to levels of late 2008 to stay in the game.

The defense doesn’t have to make spectacular plays – Cal only has one turnover on the season – but it has to get themselves off the field. They’ve done a good job this year of shutting down the big play, but have had a tendency to stay out there for prolonged drives at times by giving up third down conversions too easily. The more Cal has the ball in this game, the more Oregon’s offense will have to maximize it’s minimal possessions. From what we’ve seen so far, that won’t work.

So go ahead, defense. It’s your coming out party and everyone’s invited. Make it one we won’t forget.

Warning: If you lack a sense of humor and cannot understand sarcasm, please exit and learn.

It’s a big game Saturday. And it’s not a natural rival. In fact, I always kinda’ liked Cal. But that won’t do. Friends we cannot be. We need to manufacture some animosity to get this thing going. So with that said, I invite you to claim your disdain for Oski. I’ll get it started. And Cal fans, feel free to chime in with your own hate. You know, Nike, uniforms and the other usuals.

Before we get started, though, let’s all have a pre-post e-handshake so we can show the NCAA we’re all about sportsmanship. Agreed? Ok, on with the hate.

• I hate that when it rains in your stadium, I have to walk through three feet of standing water to get to the port-o-potty.
• I hate that you had to steal half of Eugene to build a football program.
• I hate that we can’t beat you anymore.
• I hate that your Heisman Trophy candidate (Jahvid Best) is still in the running while ours (LeGarrette Blount & Jeremiah Masoli) are, well, not.
• I hate that you think you can win with Andy Ludwig, a man personally responsible for Oregon’s worst stretch of football in the last 15 years.

Come on now. Let out the vitriol that lies within for the blue and gold. I lack a big enough readership to generate an adequate amount of hate, so do you hear me CaliforniaGoldenBlogs? AddictedtoQuack? Care to hate?

It’s the first Pac-10 rankings for 2009. For extra perspective on each team, Off The Pond has dug deep into its sources and secured real quotes from around the conference.

1. Cal
Why: Dismantled Maryland
The Cal fanbase says: “Oh my God, we KILLED Maryland. We’ll probably roll over USC and everyone else. Why aren’t we getting votes for #1? Jahvid Best is the Heisman Trophy. We’re sooo goooooood!!!”

2. USC
Why: For the moment, they have to yield to Cal. Win at Ohio State and the top spot is rightfully theirs.
USC fans retort to Cal: “Hahahahahaha. Hahaha. Ha. Haha.”

3. Stanford
Why: They beat a glorified Pac-10 team while nobody else won a game that even remotely mattered.
Stanford fans: “We played a football game on Saturday?”

4. Arizona
Why: Week 1 competition in the Pac-10 was mostly terrible. Central Michigan was at least respectable and holding a team with a quality quarterback to six points is impressive.
Coach Mike Stoops: “Well, I thought when I ran 50 yards onto the field to yell at the ref, it was a real turning point. Our guys really responded.”

5. UCLA
Why: The rest of the teams either beat an FCS team or didn’t win, so it’s only by default for now.
L.A. Times Columnist TJ Simers: “Rick Neuheisel is a lying liar who lies. He told me they beat SDSU, but I don’t believe him.”

6. Oregon State:
Why: They get a penalty for playing Portland State, but deserve a bump for being better than ASU.
Moral, Righteous and Sanctimonious Oregon State fans: “Oregon is so classless and Blount is such a thug and Chip Kelly is a born loser. I’m sooo happy!”

7. Arizona State
Why: The last of the Pac-10 winners in week 1, but over lowly Idaho State.
Everyone: “We’ll check in at the end of September when your season actually starts.”

8. Oregon
Why: Worst played game this decade by the Ducks.
New coach Chip Kelly: “Why are those headlights so bright? I feel stuck. I can’t move! Will someone turn off those damn headlights?!?”

9. WSU
Why: They’re terrible.
Conversation between two Duck fans: Fan 1: “When do we play Washington State?” Fan 2: “Why?” Fan 1: “I want to know when we’ll get our first win.” Fan 2: “Oh, looks like Oct. 3.”

10. Washington
Why: Uh, they’re on the verge of a Pac-10 football record for most consecutive losses. Until that gets fixed, they’re #10.
Savior of Husky football coach Steve Sarkisian: “We try really hard now! We only lost by eight at home to such a powerful program. We feel really good about us. This is U-Dub football!