The morning WSU, Pac-10 report
COUGARS • UPDATED: 9:15 A.M.
Washington State held its last true fall camp practice yesterday, if you define fall camp as that time of the year when the football team concentrates on making itself better and doesn't worry about an opponent – too much. Don't let anyone fool you, the Cougars have worked occasionally on Stanford stuff, but not with the diligence they'll show starting after today's scrimmage is over. As for said scrimmage, though it probably won't be full go – this is not a day to get anyone hurt – it is the final chance for some players battling for a starting spot to impress the coaches. So expect passion. Read on for today's links.
••••••••••
• Washington State: Our final position preview covers the special teams in general and long snapper Zach Enyeart in particular (part of the piece ran in the Times as well). We also had our practice summary on a post last night. ... That's it for WSU items ... UPDATE: First opponent Stanford scrimmaged yesterday and ESPN's Ted Miller had this report.
• Around the Pac-10: Staying with the special team theme, Buster Sports' Nick Daschel ranks the top five kickers in the Pac-10. … Ted Miller of ESPN.com does the same – though he goes all the way to 10 – with tight ends and offensive line. ... A good column by the Register Guard's George Schoeder on the nature of cheap shots. ... Washington: It's time to start worrying about your first opponent – though I'm sure some coaches have been doing that since last December. In UW's case, it's LSU, which is making the longest road trip in school history. The basketball team will be back in December to play the Cougars. ... It doesn't take too long for a coach to say "When I was playing.". ... Oregon State: Lyle Moevao isn't ready to play in a game yet, but the quarterback is throwing the ball more. ... Oregon: The college football season is now less than a week away. The Ducks will kick off the Pac-10's portion when they land on Boise State's blue turf. ... Cal: Thanks to the Contra Costa Times, we have a story on the Bears. ... Stanford: Don't laugh. There is a Stanford story. Only it's Scott Ostler's column on Jim Harbaugh's bathroom. And, to think, WSU fans get the first chance to remind him of it. ... USC: OK, it's obvious the biggest news in the Pac-10 is the Trojans naming true freshman Matt Barkley the starting quarterback against San Jose State. It's big because it's SC and, well, it's big because is SC. It's so big we have a story and a column about it. ...UCLA: It's about time Slick Rick joined the new century. Riding helicopters to high school games in so 1990s. ... Arizona State: The Sun Devils want back in a bowl. Here's the formula. ... Arizona: The loneliest position in Tucson? H-back.
•••
• That's it for this morning. There will be a scrimmage today at 3:30 or so in Martin Stadium (will it be 100 degrees?). We'll be there. We'll be the fat guy sweating (no, not that fat guy. Or that one. That one). And then we'll have a report for you. Until then …
