A GRIP ON SPORTS • The two weeks between the NFC and AFC title games and the Super Bowl sometimes seems to drag. After all, that's a lot of time to fill, focusing on just two teams. But this year it may seem like a too-compressed time period. There are just too many stories, too many storylines, to examine between the Patriots and the Seahawks. Read on.

••••••••••

• And the Pats even threw in another wrinkle, what with their possible cheating – the term "deflated balls" has now become part of our lexicon, followed by junior-high-level snickering – in Sunday's 45-7 win over the Colts. Sure, some years that would be necessary. This year? Not so much. If you weren't rooting for a Seahawk/Patriot Super Bowl last week you were either a resident of Wisconsin, Indiana or one of those fans who always hopes for their team to face the worse-possible opponent. An easier win, you know? If you are in the media, though, you were pulling for the Pats and Hawks, that's for sure. I'm not even sure I can enumerate all the possible "big" stories to cover. The first one, of course, is either "you mad, bro," or Pete Carroll vs. Bill Belichick. The former was Richard Sherman's comment to Tom Brady after the last time these teams met. The latter is a story of redemption and deceit, though I'm not sure which is which. But those are only the entrees. There are plenty of appetizers – and deserts too. Brandon Browner, dumped by the Hawks and now a starter with the Patriots. The Darrelle Revis vs. Sherman who-is-better debate. The Seattle defense's prowess vs. Brady's ability to carve up secondaries. The Gronk vs. Kam. Will Russell Wilson survive Vince Wilfork falling on him? And on and on. If there ever will be an over-analyzed Super Bowl, both on and off the field, this will be it. Heck, you could spend an hour talking about Marshawn Lynch's hands and his, well, you know, where he puts them after he scores. Like I said, there's a cornucopia of story lines. And we get to enjoy the feast for the next 10 days or so.

•••

• WSU: There is a lot going on in Pullman, though Jacob Thorpe is no longer there. He's en route to Salt Lake City for tonight's basketball matchup with No. 12 Utah. He has an advance of the game. ... Jacob spent yesterday filling up the blog, with a post on a women's basketball injury, another on a play that drew raves and one on a new football recruit. He also has his morning post with links. ... As usual, we supplement those links with a couple more, including a story on DaVonté Lacy reuniting with some summer-camp friends as well a Pac-12 basketball notebook out of Utah. ... It's tough to win on the road in the Pac-12, especially on Sundays. ... Commitment? Na, it's just sort of a maybe. ... Finally, we pass along one early 2015 All-Pac-12 football team. There's a guy missing, I do believe, mainly because he redshirted last season. A receiver who caught 74 passes and seven touchdowns in 2013. And probably will be the featured guy in Pullman next year.

• Gonzaga: A lot of Gonzaga and WCC stuff to pass along, including Jim Meehan's weekly Bulldog notebook. He focuses on the St. Mary's rivalry. The Gaels are in town this Thursday, with their success keyed by a couple of transfers. Jim also has a blog post with a couple more notes. ... Is the WCC a tougher basketball conference than the Mountain West? BYU votes yes. ... On the women's side, Tom Clouse has a notebook, which leads with Gonzaga headed on a key road trip.

• EWU: The Eagles are at home this weekend, facing a tough test Thursday night in Northern Colorado. According to Jim Allen's story, they may have big man Venky Jois available. Or maybe not. ... Jim also has a couple of blog posts.

• Idaho: Sean Kramer has a blog post on the Vandals' upcoming weekend of hoop.

• Whitworth: The Pirates' Micheal Ramos was selected by Toronto in the MLS's Super Draft, the only Division III player selected.

• Preps: A typical Tuesday night in prep hoops, with boys and girls roundups available for games in the area. In the GSL boys action, Greg Lee covered Rogers' tight win over Central Valley and we also have a girls roundup.

• Chiefs: Chris Derrick has his WHL notebook in today's paper. ... Former Chief, and Spokane Valley native, Tyler Johnson is becoming quite the NHL player. ... Everett had no trouble on the road.

• Seahawks: Funny. The referee for the Super Bowl will be Bill Vinovich, who was also a referee in Washington's basketball game last Sunday. He mainly officiates Big West games and almost always works in California. ... The comeback Sunday was one of the best ever, but not the best ever. ... Belichick and Carroll are pretty different when it comes to their press conferences. ... The Hawks seem to be able to mine talent others don't see. ... Browner is looking forward to the Super Bowl – and seeing old friends. ... Dan Quinn seems to be locked in with the Falcons. ... Sherman isn't about to miss practice, bad elbow or not. ... Lynch's great game Sunday seems to have been overlooked a bit. ... The Hawks are the home team so expect home uniforms.

•••

• Another day, another post. We'll be back tomorrow. Until then ...

---

---