Since relocating to the West Coast, I've been doing what I can to follow Pac 10 football. At the urging of old buddy Reggie Newton, I've been trying my hardest to keep up with his favorite team from the Pacific rim - the Oregon State Beavers.

Mostly, Reggie and I like their names. We dream of the bowl game matchup with the South Carolina Gamecocks.

But this year, beating the Beavers has been particularly tragic. First, there was a nail-biter against LSU. They took the Tigers to the limit, and then . . .

The Beavers were beaten.

Then there was Fresno State - the Bulldogs. The Bulldogs slammed the Beavers as well.

This weekend, its the California Golden Bears. Cal's probably the only team in the Pac 10 that can really challenge USC for conference domination. Their passing game is considered one of the best in college ball this year. So you can look for the long ball to impale the Beavers again this week.

Alas, alas . . . poor Beavers.