UCLA at Stanford (+1) - 2:00pm Pacific
We have always been high on Stanford head coach Tyrone Willingham and it looks like this could be the year that the Cardinals enjoy success in the Pac-10. Stanford did have everything go their way in their big win vs Washington State two weeks ago, but our hats have to go off to them for last weeks thrashing of Pac-10 favorite Arizona. Stanford outplayed the Cats in just about every category as they amassed 580 total yards in a 50-22 road win. It was their second straight game scoring 50 or more points! QB Todd Husak has been outstanding, his wide receivers are among the nations best, and highly touted freshman RB Kerry Carter is now giving even the running game a spark. The offensive line is also strong as the offense returned 9 starters from last year. The defense has 10 starters back from last year including senior FS Tim Smith who was named Pac-10 defensive player of the week for his efforts vs Arizona. This team is loaded with experience as 15 seniors are in the starting lineup and several others seniors play significant roles. UCLA is at the other end of the spectrum. 11 underclassmen started last week vs Fresno State. In the seasons first three games, 19 position players and both kickers have made their first career starts! The Bruins have been decimated by injuries and suspensions this year. The majority of the suspensions have ended but they are still missing several key players due to injuries. Starting QB Corey Paus and starting WR Brian Poli-Dixon were last weeks casualties. More importantly the Bruins have to be lacking continuity and ability to execute well. This is one inexperienced and unseasoned group that has seen more lineup changes this season than any major college team has in years. The Bruins offensive line has not been in sync and their defensive line has been soft against the run. They were outrushed by Boise State in their first game and only had 11 more yards rushing than Fresno State last week. The FSU running backs actually outgained UCLA's backs. Fresno State gave UCLA all they could handle. FSU QB Volek just missed 3 wide open receivers who had gotten past the Bruin secondary and had another pass dropped in the end zone near the end of the first half. Two plays later UCLA intercepted a pass that setup a FG and a 20-7 lead at halftime. Fresno State took a 21-20 lead in the 3rd quarter, had the ball and the momentum before a costly fumble changed everything. Stanford should of beat UCLA last year at the Rose Bowl but fumbled at the UCLA 1 yard line late in the game and lost 28-24. They will not let this opportunity slip away. Bruins freshman QB will not be able to trade points with high powered Cardinal offense. Confused Bruins will be exploited. Cardinals go to 3-0 in the Pac-10. Stanford   1 UNIT

Vanderbilt (+3.5) at Duke - 4:00pm Pacific
The Commodores win at Ole Miss last week was no fluke. Vanderbilt is a vastly improved team this year. Coach Woody Widenhoffer stated this week that he has seen his team make more big plays in the last 6 quarters alone than he has seen in his entire 3 years here and he is right! Vandy has always been known for their tough defenses, last year they only had 4 defensive starters returning and their stats dropped considerably. This year 8 starters are back on defense (including top 5 tacklers from last year) and they are improved considerably. They played even better than looked last week vs a very good Ole Miss offense who was fortunate to come up with 3 big 40 yard+ plays for touchdowns but were otherwise contained most of the game. The defense is getting a boost from the return of starting nose guard Ryan Aulds who made his first start of the season last week. Sophomore LB Jamie Winborn is a budding superstar. He led the SEC in tackles as a freshman and has 30 tackles in his last two games this year! Head coach expects the defense to improve every week. Last year at this stage of the season Vandy was 0-3 and scored only 13 total points in their first three games. The quarterback play was horrendous and the offense was going nowhere. This year they have put up 88 points in 3 games! QB coach Jeff Rutledge has worked overtime with Sophomore Greg Zolman and it is now paying off. Zolman looked like a poised veteran vs Ole Miss. After starting the game 1 for 7 with 2 interceptions, he finished 22 for 39 for 344 yards and earned SEC play of the week honors! Zolman showed solid leadership and made big play after big play. This offense is now a legitimate threat and has finally caught up with the defense. Duke has only played twice and have looked bad both times. East Carolina should have beaten them much worse than 27-9 and last week they lost at home in overtime to Northwestern. The Blue Devils have not yet scored a touchdown this season. Duke Starting QB Spencer Romine will miss his second straight game with a separated shoulder. Blue Devils are expected to go with 3rd stringer Kevin Thompson who is 12 for 32 this year. 2nd stringer Bobby Campbell is 6 for 23 this year. Ouch! Big waste of talented receivers. Since overtime was implemented in college football, teams who won in overtime are 28-19 in their next game and teams who lost in overtime are 16-33 in their next game. Both stats in big favor of Vandy here. In last years game Vandy led 30-13 before blowing the lead and having to win in overtime. Duke appears to be weaker right now while Vandy is much improved and has their highest levels of confidence and momentum in many years. Commodores improve to 3-1. Vanderbilt  1 UNIT