With the B.C.S. Championship game scheduled at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on January 3, 2002, it is a distinct possibility that a Pac-10 could make it to the title game. People in Miami, Tallahassee, Norman, Okla., and Lincoln, Neb., may snicker and disagree, but just ask Notre Dame how good Oregon State is? The Irish are trying to forget the mugging they got from the Beavers in the Fiesta Bowl last winter. It wasn't a complete surprise, at least to those who follow Pac-10 football, that Sports Illustrated chose the Beavers No. 1 in its preseason ranking. Dennis Erickson's team is loaded, both on offense and defense, and his freshman recruits are among the best in the country. Oregon State is that good and is expected to get better as the season unfolds.

Also, Oregon, Washington, U.C.L.A., Arizona State and maybe U.S.C. should earn bowl bids. But December is a long way off, so let's see how it all starts this Saturday. Here's a look at some games involving West Coast teams this weekend.

U.C.L.A. at ALABAMA. This could be the best game in the country on Saturday. The Crimson Tide wants to pay back the Bruins for what U.C.L.A. did to it at the Rose Bowl last season — a 35-24 stunner of an upset. But it won't be easy. U.C.L.A.'s veteran offense, led by quarterback Cory Paus, who is finally healthy, and tailback DeShaun Foster, could score 35 points again. Coach Bob Toledo is innovative and always has a trick or two in his game plan. But the key for U.C.L.A. will be its defense, which allowed 315 points last season, the most by a team with a non-losing record. New defensive coordinator Phil Snow gets his first big test. Snow's best player is linebacker Robert Thomas and a rebuilt secondary features freshman sensation Matt Weir, a Prep All-American from Loyola High School in Los Angeles. The weather could be a factor as well. Although the game is at night, it figures to be hot. The Bruins practiced in unseasonably mild temperatures this summer in Westwood. I like the Bruins to win, 31-20.

SAN JOSE STATE at U.S.C.: The Pete Carroll era begins at Troy and his first outing as head coach could be a rude welcome. To U.S.C., a 17-point favorite, San Jose State may look like a warm-up to its game against Kansas State on Sept. 8. But, the Spartans scared the Trojans last year at the Colisuem, and they could do it again. U.S.C. is packed...with questions. Out is Student Body Right; in is the Spread Offense, or the run-and-shoot, installed by new offensive coordinator Norm Chow. Will Chow's system improve on last season's league-leading yardage average? Will Carson Palmer finally be the wunderkind quarterback that USC thought it had recruited? Will S.C.'s talented running backs Sultan McCullough and Malaefou MacKenzie have a voice in Chow's say? Will a new corps of linebackers perform like their predecesors? Will 17 years of being away from the college game hurt Carroll? There is one sure bet. With U.S.C.'s improvement in strength and team speed, it will beat the horse out of the Coliseum tunnel. U.S.C. 21, San Jose State 17.

WISCONSIN at OREGON: The Ducks went 10-2 last season, the best record in their history. But one of the two losses was to the Badgers. With Joey Harrington at quarterback, Coach Mike Bellotti believes his team is not only the best team in the state of Oregon but in all the Pac -10. A tough league schedule that includes the Civil War showdown Dec. 1 at home against Oregon State will prove him right or wrong. In the meantime, the Ducks begin their journey to Pasadena Saturday with a win, 30-14.

OREGON STATE at FRESNO STATE: The Beavers open against the Bulldogs, the first of three softies on their schedule (New Mexico State and Montana State follow). Fresno State could make it interesting for awhile but Oregon State will close it out in third quarter. Oregon State 45-12.