I’m kicking myself for not picking Oregon last week – the signs were all there for a Duck victory – but I just couldn’t pull the trigger.

Now, sitting on top of the league, the No. 8 Ducks face the dreaded trap game as they travel to Stanford. On paper, this just seems like another stop on the road to a BCS bowl, but the Cardinal are no pushovers, and could give Oregon some trouble, especially if it is still basking in the glow of its thumping of the Trojans.

But if Oregon remains focused, their at-times mystifying spread offense will simply be too much for Stanford to handle. There’s no way the Cardinal can win if they get in a shootout, but barring some sloppy play by Oregon, it doesn’t seem likely that the Ducks will be slowed.

Stanford has pulled its fair share of upsets over the years, but this time, it seems as if the Ducks are too powerful to let another shocker happen. Pick: Oregon 41, Stanford 23.

Washington at UCLA: Yes, there’s a question as to whether or not Jake Locker will play, but you can put it in the bank that the Husky QB will be on the field with Washington’s slim bowl hopes still in play. I’m still not seeing the stuff that has people projecting Locker to be a top-10 NFL pick, but I do think he’ll be the difference maker in this game. Pick: Washington 20, UCLA 14

Washington State at No. 23 Arizona: Oh, poor Cougars. I am still in shock they managed to win a game this year, which begs the question, how crappy is SMU? Anyway, the Wildcats will show no mercy as they try to pad their bowl resume. Pick: Arizona 48, Washington State 10

Oregon State at California:Two teams hoping to make a move in the Pac-10 (and bowl) standings, the Beavers and Bears have both been hard to figure this season. Now, however, both teams appear to be playing some of their best football. Don’t expect a whole lot of defense in this one. Jahvid Best is a little banged up, while the Rodgers brothers are flying high. Upset special. Pick: Oregon State 31, Cal 27

USC at Arizona State: Last week made it perfectly clear that USC is not the powerhouse of recent years, but the Trojans are a proud program, and they will be itching to take out their frustrations on the Sun Devils, whose home-field advantage will surely be negated by an influx of USC faithful. The road to recovery starts now for the Trojans. Pick: USC 28, Arizona State 17

Last week: 3-1
Overall: 40-14