Grip on Sports: After a quick spring and summer hiatus, college football is back

A GRIP ON SPORTS • Just so you know, college football season is back. At least it is here. Read on.

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• Pac-12 media days begin today in Hollywood. Actually, they have already begun, with the conference releasing the results of the media poll.

USC is picked to win the South and the conference title, with the Huskies picked to repeat in the North.

Washington State was a solid choice to finish third in its division.

But that’s just speculation. And, for what it’s worth, the conference asked me to vote again this year. My votes were the exact same as the final results, which assures they will not be anywhere near correct.

The media poll kicks off two days of marketing in the cradle of marketing, Southern California, with six teams highlighted today and six more, including WSU, highlighted tomorrow.

Then the real work begins. A couple of conference schools are already practicing, with the season openers scheduled for the end of August. The Cougars don’t begin until next week, but when they get going, it’s going to be non-stop football around here until next year.

It’s just the way it works.

• Football may be in long-term trouble, though. The sport needs to do something about brain injuries.

A new study of 111 brains donated by families of deceased former NFL players, showed evidence of chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a neurodegenerative disease, in 110 of them.

That’s alarming even if the study is skewed due to its voluntary nature.

In all the brains studied, CTE was evident in 87 percent of the participants.

It’s hard to justify putting your little guy into the game if there is a nearly 90 percent chance he’s going to end up with brain damage. It’s almost a form of abuse. Unless those who control the game can determine a way to make it safer, slowly but surely it will wither at the grassroots level.

• The Mariners rallied last night and figured out a way to win in 13 innings. That’s important, especially considering they were facing the Boston Red Sox, they had built an early 3-0 lead and Felix Hernandez was their starting pitcher.

But even more important is today’s 12:40 game against the Sox. The M’s are back at .500 again. Can they put together a streak that lifts them well above the break-even mark and gives them momentum heading into a tough August?

We’ll see – starting today.

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WSU: The Cougars third-place prediction probably could have been a spot higher, considering all that is returning, especially on the defensive side. But, in my case at least, the questions at wide receiver – a key component in the Mike Leach offense – held Washington State back. … Around the conference, there are stories after stories about media days, including ones covering Arizona and Colorado. There is also an overview from ESPN.com and from Jon Wilner in the Mercury News. … Former Oregon wide receiver Darren Carrington (pictured) is transferring to Utah and will play this year. … Washington’s defense set the tone for the Huskies last season and will again in this one. … The Huskies’ practice schedule was released yesterday. … Arizona State needs to determine who will start at quarterback. … Oregon State is back at the grind and that makes Thomas Tyner happy. … USC may be the class of the South, but it’s looking for a new kicker.

Idaho: The City of Moscow is contemplating easing up restrictions on adult beverages around the Kibbie Dome before football games.

Preps: It’s Wednesday, which makes it youth notebook day.

Indians: Everett jumped ahead 7-0 at Avista Stadium last night but the Indians rallied. They didn’t get all the way back, however, and the Aqua Sox held on for a 10-9 win. Johnathan Curley has a game story, Whitney Ogden has a bit more and Tyler Tjomsland adds a photo report. … Around the Northwest League, Eugene picked up a win over Salem-Keizer.

Mariners: It was well after midnight when the Mariners’ 6-5 win finally ended, but Dave Nichols still has a Mariners Log. We added the links there.

Seahawks: There are always position battles at camp. … There are usually contract battles as well. … Earl Thomas expects to be fully ready.

Sounders: As players return, the suddenly potent Seattle attack will get another new look.

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• Football season begins every year in summer’s heat. And it ends in snows of late fall. In between there is every other weather condition imaginable. That’s fun. Until later …