Saturday morning from San Diego
COUGARS
It's overcast and in the 60s in San Diego. Just like every morning every day I've ever been in San Diego. And people wonder why some of us don't think it's paradise. Before we head up to Jack Murphy Stadium – the way I see it, when you name a stadium after a sportswriter, then it should always be named after a sportswriter, not a computer company – this afternoon, we settle in and give you links to everything you need to know for your Saturday football watching. Read on.
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• Washington State: As per usual, we'll have more thoughts on what the Cougars need to do today to win just prior to the game, though the basics (some of it is Football 101) are covered here. One note, though. Being that center Taylor Meighen tweeted yesterday that he was getting his first Division I start today, we don't think it's any secret that Andrew Roxas is not just doubtful but not available today. ... We have our advance in today's S-R, a shorter version of which ran in the Seattle Times for you folks over there. ... The Times also has this summary of the matchup. ... Freelancer Howie Stalwick has his advance in the News Tribune and other places. ... From the San Diego State perspective, there is this advance in the North County Times and one from the San Diego Union-Tribune. ... More on Paul Wulff's rebuilding project from Brian Floyd at CougCenter along with Jeff Nusser's five things he wants to see today. ... Remember, the game is on the Mtn. network, the official network of the Mountain West Conference. Here in San Diego, it's going to shown on a delayed basis by Time Warner, which doesn't usually carry it.
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• Around the Pac-12: ESPN.com's Ted Miller had a busy Friday, what with his mailbag, telling us what we didn't know, passing on the news about the conference reprimanding Cal coach Jeff Tedford for telling the truth as he saw it and, today, adding on the injury report. ... Washington: The rubber game is today in Lincoln. ... Oregon State: The Beavers have a bye but there is still quarterback news. ... Oregon: The Ducks don't have a bye, it just seems like it. ... California: Same for the Bears, though there are reasons for both games - and something riding on the outcome for Tedford. ... Stanford: So what is the key against Arizona? Is it the defense? Or is it the offensive line? Discus among yourselves. ... Colorado: The Buffs need to get off the field on third down. ... Utah: It's a rivalry game for God's sakes. ... USC: I don't know, but there must be some way the NCAA sees this as a violation, isn't there? ... UCLA: The Bruins didn't parlay their upset of Texas last season into a successful year. They get another chance today. ... Arizona State: Big win last week. Will it hurt the Sun Devils today? If the Devils don't tackle, they won't stop Illinois. That's Football 101. ... Arizona: It's really not Andrew Luck vs. Nick Foles, it just seems that way.
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• That's all for this morning. We'll be back before today's kickoff with more thoughts about the game. And we'll be on Twitter all day. Until then ...
