Coming off The Big Game, Cal and Stanford should get wins

This week’s picks are as follows:

CAL over UTAH … Cal coach Jeff Tedford doesn’t need a bun warmer in his car. His seat is already hot. After an uninspiring performance against Stanford, the Bears need a quick turnaround to save their coach’s job. It’s a cruel world in big-time football.

STANFORD over WASHINGTON STATE … the Cougars are headed back to familiar territory: the Pac-12 cellar.

USC over ARIZONA … the Trojans better not be looking ahead to next week’s showdown with Mighty Oregon or things could get ugly against a Wildcat team that’s finally learning how to win.

ARIZONA STATE over UCLA … the Sun Devils need to rebound quickly after last week’s nationally televised debacle against Oregon.

FLORIDA over GEORGIA … the Gators are back.

BOISE STATE over WYOMING … the Broncos are a mere shadow of their former selves, but Chris Petersen’s kids keep finding a way to win.

KANSAS STATE over TEXAS TECH … could a national championship and a Heisman Trophy be headed for Manhattan?

UPSET OF THE WEEK: Washington over Oregon State … the Beaver bubble finally pops. (Upset record: 2-6).

ROUT OF THE WEEK: San Jose State over Texas State … the Spartans have their eyes on a bowl bid. Yes, you read that right. (Rout record: 8-0).

DON’T BET ON IT, BUT: Ohio State over Penn State … call this one the No-Bowl Bowl. The Buckeyes are clearly the best team that will not go bowling and Penn State may be the second best. (Don’t bet record: 7-1).

FIVE EASY PICKS: This week’s sure-to-perform winners are Vanderbilt (over Massachusetts), Florida State (over Duke), Oregon (over Colorado), Utah State (over UTSA) and Louisiana Tech (over New Mexico State). (FEP record: 40-0).

AGGIES over PORTLAND STATE … not so long ago this was a major battle between Division II powers. Now it’s a battle for late-season pride between Big Sky opponents. There will be no championships or playoff bids for the Aggies this year, but the kids wearing Blue and Gold would like dearly to send longtime coach Bob Biggs out with a winning record. It’ll take a three-game win streak to turn the trick, starting Saturday. Take the Ags by 14.

SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS 7, DETROIT TIGERS 3 … backup quarterback Tim Lincecum scrambles for a late touchdown as the magic continues. Get out the broom, the Giants are about to sweep.

OTHER GAMES: South Carolina over Tennessee, Texas over Kansas, Northwestern over Iowa, Missouri over Kentucky, Pittsburgh over Temple, Northern Illinois over Western Michigan, Arkansas over Mississippi, SMU over Memphis, Rutgers over Kent State, Ohio over Miami (Ohio), Purdue over Minnesota, Wisconsin over Michigan State, Toledo over Buffalo, Texas A&M over Auburn, Baylor over Iowa State, Louisiana-Monroe over South Alabama, Michigan over Nebraska, San Diego State over UNLV, Alabama over Mississippi State, and Fresno State over New Mexico.

Last week: 35-9, season: 274-60, percentage: .819.

— Reach Bob Dunning at bdunning@davisenterprise.net