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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

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WSU has one more challenge before time off


COUGARS • UPDATED: 10:15 A.M.; 11:20 A.M.

How many Pac-10 football coaches have been fired this season? None. How many Pac-12 coaches? One. The difference is Colorado has made a change, getting rid of Dan Hawkins today and replacing him with an assistant for the rest of the year. When the Buffaloes enter the Pac-12 next year, the former Boise State coach won't be with them. For more, read on.

UPDATE: Sports Illustrated ranks the 10 best players in the Pac-10. Klay Thompson is No. 1, Reggie Moore is No. 7. If it's only on the web, is there a jinx involved?

UPDATE NO. 2: The start time has been set for the Apple Cup. It will be at 4 p.m. and will be televised on Versus. Last time I checked (last week), there were tickets available.
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• Washington State: Next up for the Cougars, of course, is Oregon State. ... They began getting ready for the Beavers last night, and we posted some news after practice. ... After the OSU game, the WSU players will get a few days off, returning to the practice field Friday, Nov. 19 until Monday, Nov. 22 (they will practice that morning). They will then be given the Thanksgiving holiday week off, returning to school on Sunday to start Apple Cup preparations on Monday. ... .

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• Around the Pac-10: ESPN.com's Ted Miller updates the conference's Heisman candidates. ... He also passes along the conference's players of the week. There was one more nominee on special teams, punter Reid Forrest, but somehow the conference neglected to disseminate that news, according to WSU. ... There's a lot of ink being used examining Stanford's chances of making a BCS game – and if that happens does Boise State get hosed. ... Washington: The Huskies are in a bye week, though they are practicing. Quarterback Jake Locker isn't ready yet, but they aren't waiting. ... The always fun-to-listen-to AD Scott Woodward is at it again. ... A Husky basketball story. ... Oregon State: We linked the news on our post last night. ... Oregon: The big news in Eugene has to do with the injury suffered by backup quarterback Nate Costa. Who will play if Darron Thomas goes down is a worry. ... Cal: The play of backup quarterback Brock Mansion earned the Bears as good grade against WSU. ... Stanford: Taking a look at the Bay Area bowl possibilities. ... USC: The Trojans have to stop Arizona quarterback Nick Foles. ... UCLA: Nothing here. ... Arizona State: Punter Trevor Hankins' violation of team rules was a DUI arrest. ... Arizona: The Wildcats' pass defense has been exposed by teams that can protect the quarterback.

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• That's all for now. It's Tuesday, so that means a Paul Wulff press conference and practice. We'll be back after. Until then ...



Vince Grippi
Vince Grippi is a freelance local sports blogger for spokesman.com. He also contributes to the SportsLink Blog.

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