And we'd better get these posted before the line goes up even more on the WSU-Arizona game.

In fact, a week after we wondered in this space if it was some kind of record that the two state teams were a combined 76-point underdog on the road, it's again worth wondering if there is a record to be had in being a combined 55-and-a-half point underdog at home.

To be fair to the Huskies, the Cougars are bearing the brunt of the blame this week -- kind of like being the Daryl Hall to UW's John Oates -- accounting for 41 points of that total. Still, will the indignities never cease?

We showed no faith in either team in this space last week and were duly rewarded as the Huskies and Cougars both failed to cover as well as -- does it even need mentioning? -- not winning straight up. That made up for some faulty picks in other games to leave us at 3-1 straight-up for the week and 2-2 against the spread, and now 41-13 straight-up for the season and 30-24 against the spread.

On to this week's picks, and as always (when not out of town, anyway) with lines from The Seattle Times.

ARIZONA AT WASHINGTON STATE (Wildcats by 41): Was it really just two years ago this month that WSU hosted Arizona ranked in the top 25, fresh off a big win at UCLA, and needing only one more win to clinch a bowl? Indeed it was. Sadly for the Cougs, Arizona won that day and WSU has never really been the same, losing the last three of that year to fall to 6-6 and out of a bowl. Now it's Arizona that just needs one more win to clinch a bowl. And while the Wildcats have perfected the art of stumbling every time the turnaround is near, there's no way they are losing this one. Only question is whether WSU -- riding a 10-quarter scoreless streak -- gets on the board. It's Dad's Day in Pullman, so what the heck. One TD shouldn't be too much to ask. ARIZONA 49, WSU 6.

OREGON STATE AT UCLA (Beavers by 8): OSU coach Mike Riley has never beaten UCLA, going 0-5, including 0-3 against Karl Dorrell, which makes about as much sense as an Al Davis roster move. The Bruins had a bye last week, but they need more than a week to turn that offense into one that can keep up with Jacquizz Rodgers and gang. And worth pondering -- will this be OSU's first visit to the Rose Bowl this season? OSU 31, UCLA 21.

CAL AT USC (Trojans by 21): In the Pac-10 this season, a three-touchdown game passes for a showdown as each team comes in with one conference loss. But the Bears have lots of injury issues and the view here is that they are probably playing better than they ought to, given some of their personnel shortcomings. But USC will have no pity. USC 31, CAL 10.

STANFORD AT OREGON (Ducks by 14): Cardinal need one more win to get bowl eligible, but have three tough ones left, beginning in Autzen. These are the top two rushing teams in the Pac-10 -- Oregon at 270 per and Stanford at 209 -- so I think we can see what's coming. That usually favors the home team. And if Stanford has to throw late to get back into it, we're seeing a mistake or two that makes the score look worse than maybe the game really was. OREGON 35, STANFORD 17.

As almost always, UW pick to come later.