Week 7 Picks

Without further delay, I present the week 7 picks from the boys. With the first BCS standings coming out on Monday, this weekends game have a lot riding on them. Here we go !

Ryan Wenzinger:

Oregon 31-28
Cal 34-14

Mike Barrett:

Oregon 38 Washington State 28
Having a bye week following the devastating loss to Cal probably wasn’t great timing for the Ducks. It does, however, lessen the possibility of a let-down game. The Cougars are also coming off a game they felt they should have won, last week against ASU. The Cougs, historically, play the Ducks pretty well in Eugene, but how Alex Brink handles coming home for the first time to play in Autzen, is probably the key. If he can get through the first couple of offensive series, and calm down, he’ll have a solid day. So will the rest of his team. But, it won’t be enough.

Cal 31 Oregon State 17
Everyone knows how much success the Beavers have had in Berkeley in recent years. Cal knows it too. If Nate Longshore were completely healthy, I think this score would be worse than what I predicted. The Beavers have the number-one defense against the run in the country, so if they can force Longshore (or Riley, hopefully) into passing situations, and defend well, they have a chance. But, if Longshore has time to sit back in the pocket and gets all day to throw, exactly what happened against the Ducks who put no pressure on the quarterback, the Bears will roll. As always with the Beavs, it comes down to turnovers. Canfield had better not toss an early pick, or it could be a long day in the canyon.

Joe Reitzug:

Ducks 38-18
Cal 41-14

Jeremy Daw:

Oregon
Cal

Todd Mansfield:

Duck fans, don't waste your time worrying about this one.
With a bye week, the Ducks will dominate. Look the Cougars
aren't a good football team. Sure they can score, but they
can't defend anything. I say Oregon will score over 40 and
win easily.

As for Oregon State, this one confuses me. Neither team can
win at home in this series int he last four years. Cal's
offense hasn't met a defense like this. They struggled
against the Ducks defense, and sorry Duck fans, but your
defense isn't close to the Beavers D. However, here are the
probs. Keenan Lewis, CB is out. The Bears will pick on Tim
Clark, and they will burn him. I say at least two TD passes
against him. Therefore, the OSU O must step it up. IN fact,
they must be the teams best D, with T.O.P. If that number
is high, well over 30, then they have a chance. As for the
tunrovers, I just expect those nowadays. I do think Cal
will win, but maybe a little closer than some of you think,
definately closer than the oddsmakers are betting on. 27-20
Cal.

Bobby:

Oregon vs. Washington State: Oregon wins this game with special teams and defensive stops. Eugene native Alex Brink makes his first start at Autzen wearing the Crimson and Silver. I have a feeling that he might be looking up a lot at the sky if the Duck D can get to him often. Washington State brings in some speedy receivers, so the Duck secondary needs to play up and make plays. Dennis Dixon and J Stew will be ready to run, run, run, and run. I wouldn’t be too surprised if the end of the day the stats are very run heavy for the ducks.
Ducks win 45-14.

Oregon State vs Cal: Two Words: Strawberry Canyon. This is possibly the most beautiful setting in the Pac-10 for football. The views of the canyon are amazing if you are sitting on the west side and the east side, if you’re up near the top of the stands, you look over the San Fransisco Bay. Oregon State won’t be looking at the scenery. They will be on the field to take care of business. They own Cal at their house. I think this game is a lot closer than people think it will be. Just be prepared just in case OSU can pull this out. No it isn’t them taking that next step and gaining momentum. IF Cal loses, its because they got beat on special teams and defense. They might be looking ahead too.

Cal Wins this game….maybe….. 35-32…