Stanford (0-0) at No. 20 Oregon (0-0)
● Time: 12:30 p.m. Saturday
● TV: ABC
● Series: Stanford leads 43-25-1
● Last meeting: Oregon 44-20, 2005
● The scoop: The big thing for Stanford is to keep quarterback Trent Edwards upright, which should be a lot easier with all five starting offensive linemen returning. Oregon is the second of three teams in the league returning all their O-linemen, with the other being Oregon State. The guys up front won’t win this game, however. Ducks running back Jonathan Stewart will.
● Pick: Oregon 34, Stanford 17
San Jose State (0-0) at Washington (0-0)
● Time: 12:30 p.m.
● TV: None
● Series: Washington leads 9-0.
● Last meeting: Washing-ton 21-6, 2004
● The scoop: For the first time in three years, the Huskies feel secure at quarterback heading into the season. Isaiah Stanback is capable of doing everything, from running for 100 yards to passing for 300. Dick Tomey’s start in his second year doesn’t get any easier if Spartans can’t beat woeful Huskies.
● Pick: Washington 21, San Jose State 10
No. 12 California (0-0)
at No. 23 Tenn. (0-0)
● Time: 2:30 p.m.
● TV: ESPN
● Series: Tied 1-1
● Last meeting: Tennes-see 38-12, 1987
● The Scoop: The Bears head into this showdown as a 1-point favorite, most likely because California has a lethal running game. But going into a 100,000+-seat arena with quarterback Nate Longshore having played just about a quarter last year is asking too much.
● Pick: Tennessee 23, California 17
Utah (0-0) at UCLA (0-0)
● Time: 4 p.m.
● TV: FSN
● Series: UCLA leads 7-0
● Last meeting: UCLA 27-14, 1974
● The Scoop: The Bruins are without quarterback Drew Olson, tailback Maurice Drew and tight end Marcedes Lewis, and still have a soft defense. Utes to win one matchup with Pac-10 team.
● Pick: Utah 31, UCLA 28
Washington State (0-0) at No. 6 Auburn (0-0)
● Time: 4:45 p.m
● TV: ESPN2
● Series: First meeting
● The Scoop: Cougars were disappointed with fourth-quarter breakdowns last year, much like Arizona. WSU lost five games by four or fewer points.
No worries here, Cougars won’t be close at halftime. Auburn too talented and too deep.
● Pick: Auburn 34, Washington State 10
No. 3 USC (0-0) at Arkansas (0-0)
● Time: 5:45 p.m.
● TV: ESPN
● Series: USC leads 3-1
● Last meeting: USC 70-17, 2005
● The scoop: USC might reach 40, but not 70 like last year, when the Trojans scored their highest total since 1970. Razorbacks are said to have the most improved team in the country, just ahead of Arizona, by Phil Steele’s College Football Preview.
● Pick: USC 28, Arkansas 14