Sat., Oct. 22, 2011
Saturday morning from Seattle
COUGARS
It's Saturday morning and I know the Washington State flag is being waved somewhere in sight of a TV camera. It's about all you can count on in this cockamamie world anymore. Heck, WSU's home game today isn't even in the 509 area code. Thank goodness my long distance is free or the charges I would rack up today would break the S-R's depleted bank. We have links and more for you, but only if you've seen the flag. Read on.
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• Washington State: I don't have much in the way of commentary for you, mainly because on Fridays I don't see the Cougars' walk-through. Everything you need to know about tonight's game is contained in my story from today's S-R and the usual keys to the game I write each Friday. For the Oregon game next week I think I'll just write something about needing to force at least a half-dozen turnovers and leave it at that. ... Of course we have more for you, from Bud Withers' blog post on the Seattle game to his column on the importance of this one. He also put together this preview of the game. ... Freelancer Howie Stalwick has this piece. ... Jim Moore and CougCenter's Jeff Nusser traded places today, with Moore posting on CC and Nusser putting together this piece on Moore's blog. By the way, listening to Bill Moos talk recently, I'm beginning to get the feeling Wulff's job doesn't hinge on a number of victories and probably never did. It's more about how Moos and president Elson S. Floyd feel about the direction of the program. I will say this, I told my boss this week I'm sorry to be retiring after this football season, because I think the Cougars are going to be really good next year. And after the past few years, I won't get to see it. ... ESPN.com's Ted Miller has this on the directions Oregon State and WSU have taken since last season's game. ... CougCenter also has this look at OSU.
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• Around the Pac-12: The conference handed down its punishment for the embarrassing fight Thursday night between Arizona and UCLA on ESPN, so we'll let Miller handle the particulars. ... He also has my highlight of the week, the mailbag. ... Washington: Stanford is an excellent football team and how well the Huskies play today should say a lot about where they are at. ... Oregon State: That extracurricular activity out-of-bounds last season by C.J. Mizell with Jacquizz Rodgers? It has been remembered by an OSU team that has to dig out of a big hole this season. ... Oregon: Kenjon Barner is ready to carry the load. ... California: If the Bears are going to play in a bowl, their offensive line will need to lead them through this key stretch. ... Stanford: The Cardinal haven't been tested much this year. ... Colorado: No one on the Buffs' schedule can run like Oregon. ... Utah: Though quarterback John Hays is returning home, more than likely the defense will lead the way today for the Utes. ... USC: This rivalry game is unlike any other. Is it the last matchup with Notre Dame for Matt Barkley? ... UCLA: The fallout from Thursday night's debacle includes suspension and a scathing mailbag column. ... Arizona State: The Sun Devils better enjoy their bye week. They are headed to a 14-game season. ... Arizona: The streaker that preceded the brawl Thursday night faces jail time. ... The Wildcats dipped into their past to handle UCLA's offense.
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• That's it for now. We'll return before the game, which kicks off at about 7:40, with our usual thoughts. But because of our print deadlines, our tweets @vinceg55 during the game will be limited in nature, especially after halftime. Until later ...
