Once again, the Rose Bowl awaits someone from the Pac-10 to step up and earn a berth in The Grandaddy of Them All.

Oregon seemed like a lock after pounding USC, but then got hammered by Stanford. USC could have possibly snuck back in the mix, and they got crushed by the Cardinal. Arizona loomed as a dark-horse candidate, but they got tripped by Cal.

All of which takes some luster of this week’s marquee matchup, as the Ducks travel to Tucson to take on the Wildcats.

Arizona has been one of the country’s biggest surprises this season, but that loss to the Bears was crippling on many levels. Now, the Wildcats have to figure out how to stop Oregon’s multi-pronged offense with a defense that has been torched at times.

The Ducks control their own destiny, and a win here, plus another in the Civil War, gets them to the Rose. I think they get it done, but Arizona won’t go away without a fight. Pick: Oregon 42, Arizona 34.

No. 19 Oregon State at Washington State: I am going to Las Vegas on Saturday and I’m hoping and praying I get there in time to put big money on the Beavers, even at 31 points. I don’t care if the line was 50, I’d still bet against Wazzu. Pick: Oregon State 55, Washington State 3

No. 25 California at No. 17 Stanford: All of a sudden, Jim Harbaugh is a genius whose name will be linked to every big-time opening in college. Not bad for a guy with a mediocre coaching and playing ledger. Still, I liked the chutzpah in going for two last week against USC. Pick: Stanford 23, Cal 20

Arizona State at UCLA: Out of nowhere, Bruins are on the verge of bowl eligibility, although playing UW and WSU will certainly help any team. But this is where the whole gazillion-bowls thing doesn’t work. Do the Devils or Bruins really deserve to play in the postseason? Do their fans even care if they qualify for the Humanitarian Bowl? Pick: Arizona State 21, UCLA 14.

Last week: 3-2
Overall: 43-16