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The most obvious good news for Stanford is this: USC.

It seems unlikely the Cardinal will suffer a hangover from the 52-31 loss at Oregon against the Trojans on Saturday. Coach Jim Harbaugh simply enjoys getting after the Trojans too much. He beat them in 2007 as a 41-point underdog. He ran up the score on them last year in a 55-21 clubbing.

The guess here is there are more questions about USC's hunger heading to Stanford after a home loss to Washington. Just imagine: The Trojans, once the lords of all of college football, might, gulp, not be confident they can beat Stanford.

But the the takeaway from the Oregon defeat shouldn't be a lingering loss of faith for the Cardinal. It was clear that the decisive result was more about how good Oregon is than Stanford's status. You can probably count on one hand the number of teams the Ducks wouldn't make look ridiculous. And you wouldn't need a third hand to count the number of teams that are better than Stanford.

Did Oregon exploit a speed advantage? Absolutely. The Ducks might be the fastest team -- we're talking all 22 starters, not just skill guys -- in the nation. There's only one or so of those.

Already Stanford's body of work verifies it as a good team. Michigan and Michigan State are unbeaten and ranked, but they needed near-miracles to beat Notre Dame, and the Spartans were at home. Stanford manhandled the Irish in South Bend. It did the same to Wake Forest and UCLA, which pushed around Texas and Houston.

It's, in fact, not a stretch to say an 11-1 finish is possible for the Cardinal. With Arizona and Oregon State both coming to the Farm, it's hard to see where they will next be an underdog.

Sure, Stanford can't afford too many more injuries. It's hard to believe the passing game won't be effected by the potential absences of receivers Ryan Whalen, who didn't play vs. the Ducks, and Chris Owusu, who was knocked out in the second half. But having an outstanding offensive line and a talented, dual-threat quarterback in Andrew Luck means few teams feature as sound a foundation upon which to build a successful outing.

So Stanford fans: Take heart.

You lost your top-10 ranking after getting whipped by a very good team in one of the nation's toughest venues. That doesn't mean you won't get it back.

One team has a star quarterback who already has been tapped for future NFL greatness. The other has the green starter who has yet to play against a ranked foe.

But Stanford's Andrew Luck hasn't always been the shiniest quarterback when compared to Oregon's Darron Thomas.

"I was always No. 1 and he was No. 2 in the Houston area,’’ Thomas said of Luck, whom he called a "good friend."

That said, Thomas admits that Luck went 2-0 against him in high school. Obviously, he's hoping a change of venue -- rowdy Autzen Stadium -- will provide a different result Saturday when Luck and the No. 9 Cardinal square off with Thomas' fourth-ranked Ducks.

"He's got the upper hand on me right now, so I'm trying to change it up," Thomas said.

Speaking of hands, the game could end up significantly in Thomas'. It's no secret what Oregon wants to do: It wants to run LaMichael James -- another Texan! -- over and over. And when a defense makes a mistake -- poof! -- he's gone like the wind. So the obvious defensive strategy is to gang up on the spread-option and constantly spy James -- or talented backup Kenjon Barner -- and force Thomas to throw the ball.

That obvious strategy hasn't exactly worked: Oregon is No. 3 in the nation in rushing with 321.8 yards per game, and James is second overall with 158.3 yards per game. But part of that is inferior competition. Last weekend at Arizona State, a good defense mostly bottled up the Ducks' running game, holding them to just 4.0 yards per carry. James, himself, averaged 4.1 yards per tote, half his season's average.

Stanford's defense might not be as athletic as the Sun Devils', but it nonetheless ranks 11th in the nation and it's already thwarted two previous option attacks in Wake Forest and UCLA. In other words, Thomas is likely going to have to throw for the Ducks to win (and that might be easier with Cardinal safety Michael Thomas -- another Texan! -- doubtful with a leg injury).

"That's been happening all year, defenses trying to take away the running game," said Thomas, acknowledging this likelihood. "We've been doing some good things outside with the receivers."

That's true. While Thomas has only averaged 206 yards passing per game -- he's being chilling on the bench during blowouts -- his 10 TD passes are third most in the Pac-10 and he's only thrown three interceptions. Luck has 11 TDs and two picks. In terms of efficiency, Thomas ranks fifth in the conference, ahead of veteran QBs such as California's Kevin Riley and Washington's Jake Locker.

"Darron is managing the game very well," Oregon coach Chip Kelly said. "He's playing with great poise. We've been down 10 at Tennessee. We were down 10 at Arizona State. [But] there's not any panic from your quarterback. I figure other players thrive on that. He's been really efficient with the ball. ... I think he's been really smart with what he's doing, not forcing the issue. The one thing I've been really impressed with him is he's stood in there and taken hits while he's been delivering the football. He hasn't shown any concern about the rush."

Stanford likes to hit QBs. It has14 sacks so far, which ranks first in the Pac-10 and sixth nationally. Oregon, however, doesn't let Thomas get hit much. It's yielded just one sack. Something might give there.

The Sun Devils didn't get a sack but they knocked Thomas down plenty. Yet, as Kelly said, Thomas never seemed to lose his poise. He threw a second-quarter interception that set up an ASU touchdown, but he then led consecutive touchdown drives that put the Ducks ahead for good. He finished with 260 yards passing, completing 19 of 33 attempts with two touchdowns.

Not too shabby, particularly on the road.

"I thought he played well; he made plays when he had to make plays," Arizona State coach Dennis Erickson said. "He threw the ball very efficiently when he had the opportunity to throw it -- he had that one down the middle in first half to the tight end [David Paulson for 61 yards]. I was impressed with him. He runs that offense extremely well. He's got good speed. But I was impressed with how he threw it very efficiently."

Thomas said he's played "good enough to win" so far. But he wants more and seems confident that he can handle more.

So Luck is the potential All-American, Heisman Trophy candidate and first-round NFL draft pick? Fine. Thomas is eager to reclaim the Houston quarterbacking crown.

"It's going to be competitive," he said.

Ten issues to consider heading into the fourth week of games.

1. Is Oregon's offense that good? Oregon ranks No. 1 in the nation in total offense and scoring offense. It ranks No. 2 in rushing offense. But the Ducks haven't played anyone with a defense as fast and as talented at Arizona State. Quarterback Darron Thomas withstood the atmosphere of Tennessee, but how will he do against a defense that can run with the Ducks?

2. Can Oregon State disrupt Kellen Moore's rhythm? Over the past 15 games, Oregon State has struggled to pressure the passer. Boise State does a great job protecting QB Kellen Moore, and Moore does a great job of getting rid of the ball quickly. Moore, a savvy quarterback who is very accurate, will pick the Beavers apart if he's not worried about getting hit. Gabe Miller? Stephen Paea? Blitzing LBs? Time to show your stuff.

3. Let down for Arizona? The party was HUGE in Tucson after the Wildcats beat No. 9 Iowa. But, as Mike Stoops observed, it doesn't mean much if they drop their Pac-10 opener. Perennial powers learn how to manage their emotions and play with the same focus and intensity every week. The Wildcats want to become a perennial power. Well, that means playing as well against Cal as they did vs. Iowa.

4. Texas run D vs. UCLA run O: Here's the surprising prediction of the week: UCLA quarterback Kevin Prince and the Bruins passing attack will awaken at Texas. The Bruins receivers are good, and Prince has thrown well before. The problem in the first three games was a lack of practice continuity because Prince was nursing injuries. But UCLA has to have balance to be successful. Texas boasts the nation's No. 1 run defense, but the Bruins have run well this year. If UCLA creates any run threat, Prince will have a much easier time making plays downfield in the passing game, particularly if the Longhorns put too much stock in game film from games one through three.

5. Luck on the big stage: Sure, Notre Dame is 1-2 and hasn't been a factor nationally for a while. But games at Notre Dame still include a national platform on NBC. And if Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck puts up big numbers against a struggling Fighting Irish defense, he'll start to create serious Heisman Trophy talk. And Stanford will formally announce its national relevance.

6. Cougs O-line vs. USC D-line: The Washington State offensive line has struggled, giving up 10 sacks in the first three games and failing to consistently open holes. USC"s front-seven is talented, particularly the defensive line, though the numbers haven't always supported that. If Cougars quarterback Jeff Tuel gets time, he can make plays. If USC is all over him, this will be another blowout defeat in Pullman.

7. No retreat for Threet: Arizona State quarterback Steven Threet's performance through the first three games, particularly his strong effort at Wisconsin, showed he's a Pac-10 quality quarterback, and the Sun Devils might be a factor in the conference. But he hasn't seen a defense with as much speed as Oregon. Ever. He's going to be chased at a faster rate, and the DBs are going to close on his throws at a faster rate. Can Threet and the ASU offense play fast enough to keep up and make plays?

8. Rodgers brothers get another shot on the big stage: Jacquizz and James Rodgers have put up decent numbers so far. And neither played poorly vs. TCU in the marquee opener at Cowboys Stadium. Still, these two All-Americans have a special opportunity on a national stage to make statements for themselves and the Beavers. If Jacquizz Rodgers can help the Beavers control the ball in the running game, and James Rodgers can make big plays in the passing game, there could be an upset on the blue turf.

9. Riley needs to play like a senior: Senior quarterbacks know how to play on the road. Senior quarterbacks know how to bounce back from adversity. Senior quarterbacks know how to lead a team that is down on itself. If Cal is going to notch the upset at Arizona, the likelihood is that Kevin Riley will set the tone early and turn in a strong performance.

10. Stanford's passing defense faces test: The big question for Stanford entering the season was pass defense. The early returns are outstanding: The Cardinal ranks No. 1 in the nation in pass defense. Notre Dame, however, is a far different animal than UCLA and Wake Forest. It is averaging 318 yards passing per game. Does Stanford really have an elite defense? We shall see.

Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly was doing a great job Tuesday, saying nice things about Stanford and coach Jim Harbaugh. He called Harbaugh "a very good football coach" and "passionate."

But then he made a joke.

"I don't think he's the best Harbaugh," Kelly quipped. "I think Jack is the best Harbaugh of the Harbaugh coaches. There's no question. Jack is a good friend of mine."

Jim Harbaugh probably would agree that his dad -- a highly respected coach -- is the best Harbaugh. But Jim Harbaugh also is a man who feeds voraciously on motivation, and part of that is zeroing in on the smallest of slights. Anything to feed the fire. Anything to add an iota of oomph to his and his team's preparation for and execution on game day.

So, in short, Harbaugh probably is thinking, "Oh, yeah? We'll see who the best Harbaugh is on Saturday when my team plays your team, Brian!"

Does that sound like a whimsical exaggeration?

Well, consider this: Harbaugh went for a 2-point conversion with six minutes left while up 48-21 at USC last year. After the game, Pete Carroll famously asked Harbaugh, "What's your deal?" To which Harbaugh replied, "What's your deal?" thereby creating an innovative catch-phrase for Stanford's season-ticket campaign this year.

Or what about this: Last weekend, Wake Forest lined up for a field goal with 10 seconds left before halftime. The Demon Deacons trailed 41-7. Harbaugh called time out in order to ice the kicker.

Or this: With 5:25 remaining in the fourth, and Stanford up by 44 points on the overwhelmed Demon Deacons, Harbaugh challenged an incomplete pass hoping it would be ruled a fumble.

When asked this week if he has created a "ruthless," "merciless" team, Harbaugh laughed -- or was it a cackle? -- and called those "big words."

"They take great pride in being strong and being a tough football team," he allowed.

Harbaugh is an interesting cat. When he likes a question -- such as an inquiry about fullback Owen Marecic or quarterback Andrew Luck -- he can be extremely colorful. When he doesn't -- such as when he's asked about injury information -- he can be bland or even snappy.

What's clear, however, is he's got No. 16 Stanford playing at an extremely high level. The Cardinal outscored UCLA and Wake Forest 103 to 24 on consecutive weekends.

Stanford center Chase Beeler is the quintessential Stanford player. He's a former National Merit Semifinalist who is majoring in history and peppers his speech with words bigger than "ruthless." And he's pretty much a badass. He's a three-year starter who earned second-team All-Pac-10 honors in 2009 and he owns a reputation for finishing his blocks with a, er, certain bit of crispness.

Beeler admits there is a philosophical basis to Harbaugh's football culture at Stanford.

"One of our mottos is, 'We're going to win with character but we're also going to win with cruelty,'" he said.

That motto isn't likely headed to a Hallmark card anytime soon, but here's a guess a couple of high school football coaches just got a new phrase to try out Friday night.

Tough and physical is one thing. Those qualities can make a team competitive. But to win the Pac-10, you've got to have elite playmakers. That's where Luck comes in. He's thrown 10 touchdown passes thus far and no interceptions. At his present trajectory, he's one or two big performances away from becoming a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate.

"I think he had a 50-something yard run for a touchdown [52 yards, actually], so his ability, his escapability, I didn't know what it was. I now know what it is," Kelly said. "The guy is extremely athletic, as well, and he can run. So he brings a big dimension to the table and not just throwing the football."

Luck and his offense, which ranks third in the nation with an average of 51.7 points per game, are probably eager to face a Notre Dame defense that is struggling, ranking 102nd in total defense. The Fighting Irish offense, however, will provide a good test for the Cardinal's apparently rejuvenated defense. Junior quarterback Dayne Crist, who is buddies with Luck, leads an attack that averaged 451 yards per game, including 318 yards through the air.

Stanford's big question entering the season was pass defense. It presently leads the nation, surrendering just 80 yards through the air. But a game at Notre Dame will be a far bigger challenge than home games vs. Sacramento State, UCLA and Wake Forest, an FCS team and two others that don't throw the ball well.

If Stanford takes care of business decisively as most expect it to, then it will head to Oregon on Oct. 2 for a game that could resonate nationally as well as in the Pac-10. But first things first. Overlooking Notre Dame would be a mistake.

"Every week we're in a fight for our lives," Harbaugh said.

And Harbaugh and his Cardinal plan to fight with character and cruelty.

Our list has changed, but here's a look at what the Pac-10's top Heisman Trophy candidates did over the weekend.

Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford: Luck is the nation's No. 3 rated passer. He completed 17 of 23 throws for 207 yards with four TDs in the blowout win over Wake Forest. Oh, he also rushed for a 52-yard TD. For the year, he's thrown 10 TD passes and has yet to be intercepted. Trending: Up.

LaMichael James, RB, Oregon: James rushed for 227 yards and two TDs vs. Portland State. For the year, he's rushed 30 times for 361 yards and three TDs. According to this calculator, that means he averages 12 yards per carry. Gulp. Trending: Up.

Nick Foles, QB, Arizona: Foles not only completed 28-of-39 for 303 yards with two TDs and an interception in the Wildcats win over No. 9 Iowa, he also led a clutch, game-winning drive. He leads the Pac-10 with 292 yards passing per game. Trending: Up.

Jacquizz Rodgers, RB, Oregon State: He rushed for 132 yards on 24 carries with two TDs in a 35-28 win over Louisville. He also caught five passes for 22 yards. Trending: Neutral.

The aftermath of "Measuring Stick Saturday."

Team of the week: Arizona looked like it might blow out Iowa when it led 27-7 in the third quarter, but it actually might be more meaningful that the Wildcats held on to win 34-27 after major adversity struck. The Wildcats showed heart. And poise. Moreover, by giving up their own pick-six and a horrible special-teams miscue, the Wildcats' victory can't be written off with the, "Well, Iowa played a sloppy game" excuse.

Best game: Arizona State-'s 20-19 loss at Wisconsin was a back-and-forth affair that was far more entertaining than most thought it would be going in. And, even though it was a dispiriting defeat, the Sun Devils seemed to announce that they will be a factor instead of an afterthought in the Pac-10 this season.

Biggest play: Just after Iowa tied Arizona 27-27, and all the momentum going the Hawkeyes' way, quarterback Nick Foles hit David Roberts for 38 yards on first down to the Iowa 34. Eight plays later, the Wildcats scored the winning points. After the game, offensive tackle Adam Grant said he knew Arizona would win after that completion.

Offensive standout(s): Foles and Stanford's Andrew Luck share the honor. Foles completed 28 of 39 passes for 303 yards with two TDs and an interception. For the season, the nation's 14th-rated QB has completed 79 percent of his passes. Luck completed 17-of-23 for 207 yards with four TDs. He also rushed three times for 69 yards, with a 52-yard TD run. For the season, the nation's third-rated passer has 10 TD passes and no interceptions.

Defensive standout(s): Lots of possibilities from Arizona, but in the interest of diversity: Arizona State LB Vontaze Burfict and UCLA linebacker Patrick Larimore. Burfict looked like the best defensive player on the field at Wisconsin, rolling up 10 tackles, two for a loss, with two pass breakups. Larimore had 11 tackles, three for a loss, a forced fumble and two pass breakups against Houston.

Special teams star (s): This is a hard one because the conference produced a bunch of big plays on special teams. Arizona's Travis Cobb went 100 yards for a TD on a kickoff return against Iowa. Arizona State's Omar Bolden went 97 yards for a TD on a kickoff return versus Wisconsin. USC's Robert Woods went 97 yards for a TD on a kickoff return at Minnesota. We may have left someone out.

Smiley face: After two bad losses that had UCLA fans turning away in disgust, the Bruins got off the canvas and whipped No. 23 Houston 31-13. It was a good effort on both sides of the ball, and it indicated that the Bruins can't be counted out in the conference.

Frowny face: Jake Locker and Washington wilted on a big stage against Nebraska. They were overmatched on both sides of the ball, and the Nebraska coaches clearly had a better plan and had their team better prepared.

Thought of the week: Notre Dame, at 1-2, isn't an elite team, but both of the Fighting Irish's losses came against now-ranked Big Ten teams in tight games. If Stanford goes into Notre Dame and delivers a whipping, the Cardinal will be taken seriously by the rest of the nation.

Thought of the week II: The eyes of the college football nation will be on Boise State-Oregon State on Saturday, and many AQ conference fans without a horse in the race will be rooting for the Beavers to knock the Broncos out of BCS bowl -- and national championship game -- contention. Conversely, all of the non-AQ fans (other than TCU and Utah), will be rooting on the Broncos. Oh, and all the BCS haters will be rooting against the Beavers, too, because they favor chaos in the system.

Quote of the week: "You know what's funny? Nobody gave us a chance. They said the defense couldn't make plays. They were giving us all kinds of letter grades that were bad, and we took it personal." -- UCLA safety Rahim Moore

Quote of the week II: "I know they lost their running back, Toby Gerhart, but that's a more veteran team than we saw last year. That's a veteran offensive line and they are impressive." -- Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe after losing at Stanford 68-24

Quote of the week III: "I didn't really hook up with anybody." -- Locker after he completed 4 of 20 passes with two interceptions against Nebraska

Big games this weekend: While Stanford is at Notre Dame and Oregon State is at No. 3 Boise State, the rest of the Pac-10 gets started with the conference schedule (though Washington has a bye). The two red-letter games: California at Arizona and Oregon at Arizona State. Will the Bears bounce back against a Wildcats team still drunk on its win over Iowa? And can a clearly improved Sun Devils squad keep up with the high-powered Ducks.

If you don't like where you are in the power rankings, play better.

1. Oregon: Ducks slapped Portland State aside just like they should. The matchup Saturday at Arizona State is suddenly a lot more interesting based on how the Sun Devils played at Wisconsin.

2. Arizona: A signature win against Iowa that was significant because the Wildcats were physically dominant, and when the screws tightened they asserted that dominance while the Hawkeyes wilted.

3. Stanford: Wow. That was just mean what Stanford did to Wake Forest. Seems like Jim Harbaugh was still mad about the officiating in Winston Salem last year. Andrew Luck, the nation's third-rated quarterback, has 10 TD passes vs. zero interceptions. Is it just me or is Luck good?

4. Oregon State: The win against Louisville was inconclusive as to how good the Beavers are. The game at Boise State on Saturday could make a significant statement, though.

5. USC: You know that annoying hourglass you look at when your computer is making you wait? That's what we have with the Trojans. Folks continue to be eager to write them off. I'm not so sure that's wise.

6. Arizona State: An excruciating, what-might-have-been loss at Wisconsin. But the important take-away is this, Sun Devils: You guys look like a bowl team now. Now, what can you do vs. Oregon?

7. California: Ah, Cal. There is so much we want to say. But the salient fact is this: Nine games remain. Make a stand.

8. UCLA: There was blood in the water, but the Bruins responded with an impressive win against Houston (and, by the way, UCLA established dominance well before Case Keenum went down). Now the schedule eases up with ... a visit to Texas.

9. Washington: Three things came out of the home blowout loss to Nebraska: 1. The Cornhuskers are very good; 2. Washington's rebirth should eyeball .500 before it aspires to grand expectations; 3. The "Jake Locker is overrated" contingency is dancing in the streets over Locker's career-worst performance on the big stage.

10. Washington State: The big question for the Cougars is will they muster four-quarters of fight in every game the rest of the season. The Pac-10 blog continues to believe, if they do, that will eventually yield a tangible reward.

Andrew Luck is having a very good day for Stanford.

He's completed 14-of-16 for 169 yards and three touchdowns. He's also rushed for a 52-yard TD.

The Cardinal leads Wake Forest 34-7 in the second quarter.

What's almost as notable is the Cardinal defense: It's held the Demon Deacons to just 69 total yards.

Happy Friday.

• Arizona is getting its biggest offensive lineman back for its game with Iowa.
• Arizona State must slow down this big guy if it hopes to upset Wisconsin. Some bad news for the Badgers passing game, though.
• Nevada's pistol offense will test California.
• Oregon has a new Duck, courtesy of the NCAA.
• Oregon State needs to tackle better than it did versus TCU.
• Safety Michael Thomas is one of the reasons Stanford's defense has improved.
• UCLA's offensive line, seen as a major weakness, has actually been respectable.
• USC receiver Ronald Johnson stands by his school.
• Washington and Nebraska have a history together.
• Washington State needs to contain the SMU run and shoot, which actually runs more than you'd think.

Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh isn't providing any injury information this year. Which is his right, but not very nice to reporters.

Santa Claus is watching, Jim, and such things might put you on the naughty list. Santa loves the media.

But Jon Wilner, unstoppable force of reporting nature that he is, watched the itty-bitty portion of Cardinal practice that is open and provided some reconnaissance for before Wake Forest comes to town. So, at great risk to life and limb, he is able to provide an update on the health of linebacker Shayne Skov, receiver Chris Owusu and running back Jeremy Stewart.

Wilner's dispatch, which arrived at the Pac-10 blog in the form of a micro-diskette:

I did see Shayne Skov out there, practicing with a brace and protective wrapping on his infected knee.

And I saw Chris Owusu running around, albeit with a yellow jersey (no contact) and a good-sized brace on his knee.

I did not see Jeremy Stewart in uniform, however.

Absent more information, my game preview for Saturday’s Merc will list Skov as probable, Owusu as questionable and Stewart as out — although I must be perfectly clear about this:

That’s simply my assessment; it’s by no means the official word from Stanford.

This blog post will self-destruct in 10 seconds.

10, 9, 8...

Some quick notes to get you through the hours until Saturday. Many thanks to ESPN Stats & Information.

• The Pac-10 enters "Measuring Stick Saturday" with a 4-2 record against AQ conferences.
• Since 1990, Pac-10 teams are 25-6-1 at home against Big Ten teams. Both teams were ranked in seven of those 32 games, and the Pac-10 team won all seven.
• Arizona and Iowa have split 12 prior meetings. Iowa won last year’s meeting 27-17 in Iowa City. Prior to that, the teams hadn’t played since 1998 in Tucson.
• Since 2004, the Pac-10 is 15-8 against the Big Ten (including bowls). Three of those Pac-10 losses, however, have been by Arizona. The Wildcats have lost seven straight against Big Ten teams, last winning in 1998 against Iowa.
• Arizona is one of three FBS teams that hasn’t allowed a touchdown this season (Alabama and Baylor are the others).
• Wisconsin has won eight of their last nine against Pac-10 teams, with the only loss coming in 2001 vs Oregon. But Arizona State has won four straight against Big Ten teams, starting with its win vs Purdue in the 2004 Sun Bowl.
• California has won 12 straight against Nevada but the teams have only met once since 1945. Cal has only played in Reno once, and it was all the way back in 1915 (Cal also played a rugby game there in 1911).
• Oregon has scored 120 points in 120 minutes of action this season.
• Oregon has returned five punts this season. Three of those have gone for touchdowns. Only one other team has more than one punt return TD (Oklahoma State with two). The Ducks have the nation’s top punt return average at 43.6 yards per return.
• Oregon State has won eight straight home openers. Oregon State has won 26 of its last 27 home nonconference games (lost its last -- 28-18 vs Cincinnati in 2009).
• Louisville is 3-1 all-time vs current members of the Pac-10 and won the only meeting with Oregon State (63-27 in 2005).
• Stanford is 2-0 for the first time since 2004 and is looking for its 1st 3-0 start since 2001 under Ty Willingham. The Cardinal have started 3-0 just 4 times in the last 35 seasons.
• Stanford has won 12 of its last 14 home games. This is the first time Wake Forest is playing a game in the state of California.
• Wake Forest is 4-0 all-time against Pac-10 teams, with three of those wins coming in bowl games.
• Houston and UCLA have split their four all-time meetings. Each team has one home win and one road win in the series. The last time Houston played UCLA at the Rose Bowl, they lost 66-10 in 1997.
• UCLA is 0-2 for the first time since 1997. The Bruins haven’t started 0-3 since 1971 (0-4 that season).
• Houston leads the nation in scoring, averaging 61 points per game. It has also scored more touchdowns (17) and is tied for the most red zone trips (15) in the nation. The Cougars also lead the nation in third-down conversion percentage (73.7 pct, 14-19).
• USC and Minnesota are meeting for the first time in 30 years. USC has won 10 straight games against Big Ten teams, with four of those wins coming in the Rose Bowl. USC has won 18 straight nonconference games and a school-record 11 straight nonconference road games.
• The Golden Gophers are coming off an embarrassing loss to South Dakota last week. South Dakota isn’t even officially recognized as an FCS team yet (they are transitioning from Division II).
• Nebraska and Washington are tied 3-3-1 in seven all-time meetings. The two teams last met in 1998, a Nebraska 55-7 win.
• Washington receiver Jermaine Kearse has 287 receiving yards through two games, but 159 of those yards have come after the catch.
• The Nebraska game is the start of a brutal stretch for Washington. Six of the Huskies’ next seven games are against teams currently ranked in the AP Poll.
• Washington State beat SMU 30-27 last year in overtime. The Cougars overcame a 24-7 deficit in the third quarter, with a pair of long interception returns keying the comeback. It is the only previous meeting between the two teams. It also was the Cougars last victory until they came back from 15 points down last weekend to beat Montana State 23-22.

You do not understand. This is a clean and pleasant cafe. It is well lighted. The light is very good and also, now, there are shadows of the leaves.

• Arizona LB Paul Vassallo gets ready for the biggest game of his life.
• The Arizona State defense hasn't impressed this guy.
• This California linebacker has lofty goals. Reasons for Cal fans to worry about Nevada. Is linebacker Mike Mohamed ready to go?
• Oregon quarterback Darron Thomas is generous and knows how to work the crowd. Portland State isn't afraid of Oregon.
• Oregon State is eager to get back on the field. Interesting note here on Beavers defensive tackle Kevin Frahm and his observance of Yom Kippur.
• Stanford safety Michael Thomas had a good week.
• UCLA's defense is also a concern, so younger guys are getting looks. Some Bruins notes.
• USC is already dealing with a thin roster. And it's not trusting Monte Kiffin's defensive system.
• The defensive coordinators in the Nebraska-Washington game are a little nutty. Here's a pick for the Huskies, citing a true freshman quarterback in Husky Stadium. Linebacker Mason Foster came from nowhere.
• A visit to SMU is a homecoming of sorts for a pair of Washington State players.

Ten issues to consider heading into the third week of games.

1. Cal's defense will be tested at Nevada: California presently ranks No. 1 in the nation in total defense, giving up a scant 160 yards per game. So kudos to new coordinator Clancy Pendergast. But Nevada ranks No. 1 in total offense, rolling up a monstrous 592 yards per game. So who wins: The irresistible force or the immovable object?

2. Arizona's O-line vs. Iowa's D-line: The Wildcats have a good offensive line, probably among the top three or four units in the Pac-10. But Iowa probably has the best defensive line in the country, led by end Adrian Clayborn. All four starters are back from 2009's stingy unit that combined for 27 sacks and allowed just 3.5 yards per rush. The first question is can the Wildcats line do enough to create any sort of run threat or occasional creases for Nic Grigsby? The second is, failing that, will the line give QB Nick Foles enough time to throw the ball?

3. Locker on the big stage: There is a bizarre crew that haunts the Pac-10 blog and constantly calls Washington QB Jake Locker "overrated," meaning they disagree with Mike Bellotti, Pete Carroll, every Pac-10 coach, every NFL scout, LSU's players (who called Locker the best player they saw in 2009) and just about everyone who makes a living around football. Of course, they have the right to call the world flat. But guess what? If Locker doesn't turn in an impressive performance vs. Nebraska, his Heisman Trophy candidacy will end before it gets started. So this is his big moment to either lead an upset or take a step back in national stature.

4. Vontaze Burfict vs. John Clay: Arizona State's 245-pound linebacker Vontaze Burfict is one of the most talented and aggressive LBs in the country. Wisconsin's 248-pound running back John Clay is one of the best power runners in the country. When these two meet, the violence of the impact should be dynamic. But who knocks the other backwards? Burfict and the ASU defense is looking to make a national statement. To do so, it needs to contain Clay.

5. Can USC put it together? USC's offense looked great in the opener at Hawaii. The defense looked terrible. The offense looked terrible vs. Virginia. The defense looked pretty good. The cumulative affect is we really don't know who these Trojans are. Will they put it all together at Minnesota's expense? Or will it be another piddling effort?

6. Luck through the air: Stanford QB Andrew Luck looked great running, but, despite two TD passes, didn't throw terribly well at UCLA. He completed just 11 of 24 passes for 151 yards. Wake Forest's secondary didn't look great while giving up 358 passing yards and four touchdowns to Duke in a wild 54-48 victory. You'd think Luck would feast on that at home and revert back to his accurate, playmaking self.

7. How will UCLA's offense bounce back? Stanford shut out the Bruins and held them to 233 total yards last weekend. That had many screaming for QB Kevin Prince's head. But Prince's biggest problem is he's barely seen practice time due to a back injury and then a shoulder injury. He's practiced all this week. Moreover, Houston's defense isn't anything like its offense. The Cougars are surrendering 26 points and 393 yards per game. Expect the Bruins to be much better on offense Saturday.

8. Jacquizz should break out vs. Louisville: Dating back to last season, Oregon State RB Jacquizz Rodgers hasn't eclipsed 100 yards rushing in three games. That's a mini-slump for him. Louisville gave up 230 yards rushing to a mediocre Kentucky team in week one. So expect for Rodgers to get his 100 yards. And also expect him to get some touches in the passing game, which he didn't vs. TCU.

9. Cougs stepping forward? Does the comeback win vs. Montana State turn a page for Washington State? Sure, it was just an FCS opponent, but showing some backbone feels meaningful. SMU has a high-powered, balanced offense and is one of the favorites in Conference USA. Moreover, the Mustangs will be plenty motivated after losing at Washington State last year. But if the Cougars pull the upset, the entire tenor of their season could change.

10. How did the Pac-10 measure up? It wasn't the most creative name or anything, but "Measuring Stick Saturday" is real. The Pac-10's place in the pecking order among BCS conferences largely will be based -- at least during the regular season -- on what happens Saturday. A winning weekend will earn it consideration with the Big Ten, SEC and Big 12. A losing one? It falls to the bottom half of the six. Considering the Pac-10 is an underdog in five of the nine games, the conference needs for all its favorites to prevail and at least one underdog to come through with an upset.

Went 8-0 last week but it was an 8-0 that felt like USC's 2-0. Sorta "neh."

Season record is 15-3. To the picks.

Friday

California 38, Nevada 30: Warning, warning, warning, Cal Bears! Nevada is not a push-over, particularly not at home. The Wolf Pack has averaged 592 yards and 50 points in its first two games. Cal fans, if you want my advice, you should feel nervous about this one.

Saturday

Iowa 28, Arizona 24: Arizona is better on offense and Iowa is better on defense, but the Hawkeyes are better-er on defense than the Wildcats are on offense. That said, this one should be far more competitive than the game in Iowa City last fall.

Wisconsin 27, Arizona State 17: Expect Wisconsin to have a significant advantage in time of possession, and that's why I think the Sun Devils defense will wear down in the second half. I also think the Sun Devils earn respect on the road in a tough venue and feel pretty good going forward about their chances of surprising some folks in the Pac-10.

USC 41, Minnesota 17: I am picking USC to roll for a third week in a row. Why do I think I might be correct this time? Well, for one, as in the previous two games, USC has a lot better players. And, second, I think the Golden Gophers are about as uninspired as a team can be, see a narrow victory over Middle Tennessee and a loss to South Dakota.

SMU 41, Washington State 24: What the Cougars need is a soft nonconference schedule that helps them build confidence. What they've got is a road game at a good SMU squad that will be highly motivated after its mistake-filled loss last year in Pullman.

Nebraska 28, Washington 21: The Huskies are going to challenge the Cornhuskers. But they aren't going to beat them.

Oregon State 35, Louisville 24: Beavers QB Ryan Katz will be comfortable at home, and that means distributing the ball to his playmakers, the Rodgers brothers, who are going to hang up some big numbers.

Oregon 1,000, Portland State 3: And then the second half starts. No, actually, my guess is Chip Kelly doesn't want to play his starters much after halftime.

UCLA 27, Houston 24: Just when you think the Bruins are going to go belly-up, they will rally and win. It will make a huge difference that Kevin Prince got a full week of practice. Not to mention that Houston QB Case Keenum is questionable with a concussion.

Stanford 45, Wake Forest 24: The Wake Forest defense gave up 48 points and 487 yards to Duke. Duke isn't terrible or anything, but you'd think QB Andrew Luck will represent a slight step up from sophomore Sean Renfree. And the Cardinal should be pretty salty based on how things went in the second half last year in Winston-Salem.

Alright, boys, this is the last shot we got! We're gonna run the picket fence at 'em! Jimmy, you're solo right! Everett, Merle should be open on the other side of that fence! Now, boys, don't get caught watchin' the paint dry!

• Last year against Iowa, Arizona became Nick Foles' team. Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz talks about the Wildcats.
• At least one Arizona State player knows how to beat Wisconsin: Steven Threet has done it before. Some changes on the Sun Devils' O-line.
• California's backups are more than just a second team. Should Cal fans be worried about LB Mike Mohamed's foot?
• Oregon's special teams are playing well.
• Jacquizz Rodgers hopes to break out of a mini-slump for Oregon State. A Beavers notebook.
• QB Andrew Luck has become a running threat for Stanford. And Wake Forest may be sleepy at Stanford.
• Talented freshman RB Malcolm Jones may get more touches for UCLA. Norm Chow stands behind QB Kevin Prince, who might look better now that he's actually practicing.
• The USC defense is banged-up. Speaking of the defense, what about Minnesota?
• Jake Locker vs. the Nebraska defense is the money matchup, but what about the Washington defense vs. the Cornhuskers' O? Huskies-Cornhuskers is a big-money game.
• Were Washington State's prayers answered during a comeback vs. Montana State?
• Money probably will keep Colorado in the Big 12 in 2011.