Practice notes and Thursday links
COUGARS
FROM PULLMAN -- Volleyball duties pushed our schedule back last night, which means that instead of posting our practice notes late at night when nobody is going to read them, we saved them for this bonus-filled morning post. Because, well, sometimes we have good ideas like that. That, and not a whole lot happened. Read on.
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--- First of all, linebacker Justin Sagote didn't wear pads and didn't participate in practice. Neither did freshman linebacker Peyton Pelluer, and receiver Brett Bartolone was limited again. Rickey Galvin is still taking starter's reps at the H receiver position, with Leon Brooks mixing in there as well.
--- Tana Pritchard took the first-team snaps at will linebacker with Sagote out.
--- Destiny Vaeao continues to work his way back, as he spent time with the No. 1 defense again during scout work. He's practiced two days in a row after being limited in each of the last two weeks. But I would still expect to see Kache Palacio on the field some against Stanford, regardless of who starts.
--- The weather alternated between monsoon conditions and a light drizzle. The forecast for Saturday in Seattle calls for a 100 percent chance of rain. What I'm saying is, there's a chance it might rain.
--- In between practice and the volleyball match, we wrote this story about the strength necessary to compete with a team like Stanford, and passed along our Pac-12 picks.
--- WSU's volleyball team lost for the first time this season to No. 2 Washington last night.
--- Here's a short bit about Mike Leach from SportsOnEarth.com.
--- California's offensive coordinator is starting to feel good Cal vibes.
--- USC coach Lane Kiffin has plenty of good things to say about the Trojans' defensive lineman dynamo.
--- UCLA has had success blocking kicks this season.
--- Oregon State's Brandin Cooks is the best receiver in the Pac-12. Just ask him.
--- Oregon wants to get pressure on Cal's quarterback this week.
--- A productive defensive end is back on the field for Washington with a new name.
--- Arizona and Washington's running backs are ready for their showdown.
--- Arizona State's receivers have to get over their drops.
--- Utah has to improve on third down.
--- Colorado has a couple of Pac-12 statistical leaders on its roster.
Christian Caple can be reached at christianc@spokesman.com. Twitter: @ChristianCaple