Jacob Thorpe

Both offenses were marvelous on Saturday and the Cougars saw a passing performance by quarterback Connor Halliday that surpassed every one that preceded it at the FBS level.

PULLMAN – It’s fitting that the stars will be easily viewed during tonight’s game between California and Washington State, even if some offensive pyrotechnics over Martin Stadium might make the heavens hard to see. Whether you prefer to gaze at the stars on or above the field, most of the action this evening will take place up in the air. This game will be decided by whichever team throws the ball best, and whoever does will have a great case for being recognized as the best passing offense in the country. The Cougars have been the most productive in that regard so far this season, ranking No. 1 with an average of 480.8 passing yards per game.

PULLMAN – The California team that plays here on Saturday will look nothing like the one that Washington State beat 44-22 last season, and not just because many of the team’s best defenders are no longer wearing street clothes on the sidelines. The Golden Bears were ravaged by injuries last season and only three players started all 12 games. The defense was hit especially hard, losing 11 different players at various times who were either starters or were projected to be starters at the beginning of the season.

The Pac-12 will pit three of its football teams against No. 9 Notre Dame this season. How the conference fares against the renowned independent will go a long way toward shaping how the conference is perceived nationally. Stanford will take the first shot at the Irish this weekend and a win would put the Cardinal back in the playoff picture. Elsewhere in the conference, Oregon will likely avenge last year’s loss to Arizona, USC will try to avoid another letdown and Cal and Washington State will try to break every combined passing record in Pullman.

The Pac-12 Conference announced Wednesday that it has notified the NCAA that it will propose new benefits for student-athletes.

PULLMAN – Texas coach Charlie Strong met with embattled NFL commissioner Roger Goodell last Sunday and the two concluded that college coaches need to do more to prepare their players. Goodell has faced heightened scrutiny in the wake of a number of recent domestic violence scandals, most notably that involving Ray Rice and accusations that the NFL did not adequately investigate the incident or punish the player involved.