Last weekend in Eugene, Oregon, the Ducks invited the Oklahoma Sooners into the Northwest for a showdown. When the dust settled early Saturday afternoon, the Pac 10 screwed a whole lot of football bettors and the University of Oklahoma as well.

Oregon was trying to stage a furious rally and attempted an onside kick that by rule must go 10 yards. It was clear on instant replay that the Duck player touched the ball illegally at about 9 yards and the Sooners should have been awarded the ball. Then they would've simply knelt down and ended the game with a huge victory and an undefeated record.

Unfortunately for them and those that bet Oklahoma on the money line at the sportsbooks, the replay officials awarded the ball to Oregon. On an attempted pass play an Oklahoma defender tipped a pass that fell incomplete. The referees then called pass interference on the Sooner's back and by rule once a ball is tipped, there is no interference invoked.

By now you are all aware that Oregon won the game, the officials were suspended, and the PAC 10 issued an official apology to the Sooners. Their coach, Bob Stoops, basically told them to take their apology and stick it where the sun doesn't shine.

The Pac 10 would love nothing more than to see one of their teams like Oregon or USC make it to the BCS Championship game and the other to play in another big bowl as it means millions of dollars to the conference.

USC is undefeated and travels to Tucson this weekend to face a reeling Arizona team. Arizona was embarrassed on national television two weeks ago by LSU. Then they struggled big time against Stephen Austin last week. The Trojans are a 3-touchdown favorite at the sportsbooks and after dousing Nebraska last week they are flying high.

The Arizona coach is Mike Stoops, the brother of Oklahoma coach Bobby, and he'd love nothing more than to knockout a big dog like USC and get some payback for his brother. More importantly, it's the first game of the PAC 10 schedule and it would be a huge victory for recruiting purposes.

Last weekend was a big one with several key matches, while this weekend is being looked upon as a dud where all the top teams are playing ugly dogs. This is just the time when upsets occur.

Arizona 21 USC 17

Bob Acton

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