It's tough for visitors to win in Corvallis

Obviously I don't have to depend on "skills" in picking college football games to keep a roof over the head and food on the table.Staying with the usual format of previewing conference games in order by kickoff times, let's get on with a look around the Pac-10.California vs. Arizona State 6.5The Cal Bears are coming off an impressive win over WSU at home. It's not likely they will have their way with the Sun Devil defense. Arizona State has been searching for ways to put points on the scoreboard. The news for Coach Dennis Erickson and his offense isn't good in terms of matching up with Coach Jeff Tedford's defense. Though Cal has given up a lot of yardage this season, they don't give up many points when they show up to play. The news for ASU good in terms of team consistency by the Bears.

Against two top Pac-10 teams, USC and Oregon, the Bears were bad news. If history holds form, Cal should be playing consistently good football the rest of this season. All Pac-10 running back Jahvid Best will get enough touches to garner another multiple touchdown performance against an outstanding ASU defense. He'll be the difference in this game. PICK: CaliforniaUCLA vs. Oregon State -8.5 This was supposed to be the season where people discovered there were two outstanding college football programs in Los Angeles. Instead, the marketing machine for UCLA clearly put their cart in front of the horse. The highly touted offensive genius team of Coach Rick Neuheisel and Coach Norm Chow have been missing a secret element to mesmerize opponents defenses. Without a healthy, experienced quarterback the UCLA offense has languished in a series of futile drives week after week.

With a lot of new players on defense, it's taken a few games for the Oregon State defense to get up to speed The Rogers brothers have sparked the offense. Not only are the Beavers on track for a bowl bid again this season, they could surprise a couple of teams coming up and run the table right into a place among the elite of college football in 2009. It's tough for visitors to win in Corvallis. PICK: Oregon StateWashington State vs. 25 Notre Dame -28The Cougs will travel to play the Fighting Irish on their home field in San Antonio, TX. What Notre Dame will be out to prove that they can call just about anywhere home by moving this game to the neutral site of the Alamodome.