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SHOCK THE MONKEY: California or Arizona State will knock the monkey off its back this weekend. The loser figures to suffer some more. Both teams endured embarrassment during week one. Arizona State became a punch line when coach Dirk Koetter named a starting quarterback (Sam Keller over Rudy Carpenter) and then changed his mind (Keller transferred in a huff to Nebraska). Cal became a punch line after looking like milquetoast at Tennessee. Koetter also has this: he's 0-10 at the Sun Devils helm against the Pac-10's California teams.
Since the Tennessee debacle, Cal quarterback Nate Longshore has been sharp in leading the Bears to a pair of victories, completing 69 percent of his passes for 525 yards with six touchdowns and just one interception. Meanwhile, Carpenter leads the Pac-10 with nine touchdown passes and is second in pass efficiency. Still, it seems he's pressing -- trying to prove he's the man after the Keller controversy. "My message to him is don't overthink it ... he knows our offense," Koetter said. "He's trying to nitpick everything." It will be interesting to find out if ASU's improved defense is for real. It leads the nation with 18 sacks and figures to pressure a banged-up Bears offensive line and a mostly immobile Longshore.
QUICKLY: Arizona State receiver Jamaal Lewis caught three passes for 48 yards in his first action of the year at Colorado. The converted tight end missed the first two games because he was suspended for a criminal driving arrest. ... Cal not only had to replace three starters from its 2005 offensive line, it's now battling health issues. Both tackles, Andrew Cameron (ankle) and Scott Smith (knee), are injured, though Cameron might play against Arizona State. Mike Tepper started for Cameron against Portland State, while Mike Gibson replaced Smith. ... A bye is coming at a good time for Oregon, and not just because it helps the Ducks get out of the spotlight. The injury list is long, topped by linebacker Brent Haberly (broken arm), the second defender out for the season. ... With Stanford's epidemic injuries, perhaps quarterback Trent Edwards can do it all on his own. Against Washington State in 2005, he passed for 257 yards and three touchdowns and led the Cardinal in rushing with 92 yards in a 24-21 victory. ... Despite four starters out with injuries, USC's defense held Nebraska to 211 yards. The only injured player expected to return for Arizona is linebacker Oscar Lua, though he may not start.
No. 22 Arizona State (3-0) at (-7 1/2) No. 21 California (2-1)
Sun Devils make their move against wounded Bears
Pick: Arizona State, 30-27
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