Friday, October 20, 2006

USA Today: Weekend Preview

Here is the link.

 

As reigning champion Southern California takes a week off, its two primary challengers look to hold serve against the league's Evergreen State representatives. No. 15 Oregon heads north to Washington State. Ducks QB Dennis Dixon led a solid bounce-back outing last week against UCLA. He'll face a strong Cougars pass rush, led by DEs Mkristo Bruce and Lance Broadus, but another productive outing from RB Jonathan Stewart would go a long way toward negating the WSU blitz. Cougars QB Alex Brink has a proven deep target in WR Jason Hill, but his lack of ground support makes it difficult to finish drives. Oregon LB Blair Phillips will try to continue the Cougars' red-zone frustration.

No. 11 California, still the league's hottest team despite last week's scoreless second half at Washington State, returns to Berkeley to host Washington. The Huskies' promising season took a disastrous turn when QB Isaiah Stanback (foot) was lost for the duration. His replacement probably will likely be Carl Bonnell as the coaching staff tries to preserve touted freshman Jake Locker's redshirt year. RB Kenny James must aid the transition. Golden Bears QB Nate Longshore will look for a quick start to shake off his first cool spell since opening week. The explosive potential of RB Marshawn Lynch should help.

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