Roundup: Football is finally here
The wait is over, folks. Finally…college football…HAS COME BACK…to your television set. The Utes are one of two Pac-12 teams doing battle tonight, and there are plenty of storylines surrounding Utah State’s visit to Rice-Eccles. Can the Utes exact a lil’ revenge from last year’s overtime loss? Begin to find out at 5 p.m. PT on Fox Sports 1.
Meanwhile, No. 24 USC opens its 2013 season at Hawai’i for an 8 p.m. PT start (CBS Sports Network) as the Trojans try to put a disappointing 2012 in the rear view. Also, Grantland’s Jordan Conn did a wonderful piece on Marqise Lee’s journey from Inglewood to the heights of college football. It’s a long read, but it’s a must-read.
Some of the folks from Sports Illustrated are picking Stanford to win the national championship, in particular Pete Thamel and Martin Rickman, while Ben Glicksman says Oregon will win it all. Meanwhile, carrying his father’s name is no burden to Barry Sanders, a good feature on the Stanford running back from the San Francisco Chronicle. One last link- Stanford named its team captains- Shayne Skov, Ben Gardner, David Yankey and Trent Murphy.
If you missed the debut of Pac-12 Football Weekly, then you missed Rich Rodriguez drawing up a zone-read play.
Earlier in the week, it was announced that Jamal Anderson joined the Pac-12 Networks as a football analyst. Yesterday, it was announced that former Arizona State QB Jake Plummer is joining the Pac-12 Networks’ football studio team. And one more for your troubles: Alden Darby was destined to inspire, a feature from Paola Boivin of the Arizona Republic on the Arizona State safety and what he had to endure growing up.
UCLA was picked to win the Pac-12 South after claiming the division last year, and the focused Bruins are embracing expectations as the South division frontrunners and preseason No. 21 in the country.
With Dion Jordan, Kiko Alonso and Michael Clay all gone, Boseko Lokombo is leading the Oregon linebackers.
Considered a pleasant surprise by Mike MacIntyre, Colorado’s Scott Fernandez is ready to make an impact at tight end. He only has one career catch (a 71-yarder to the house last season, no less), but that stands to change in 2013.
In this Oregon State practice report, you learn that the Beavers will wear black uniforms on Saturday and that Isaac Seumalo is expected to play.
With its re-opening just two days away, let’s take a look at Husky Stadium by the numbers, courtesy of Adam Jude.
Get ready for the season opener, Coug fan, by reviewing Tre Mason and the Auburn offense, thanks to our friends at CougCenter.
With her first classes beginning today, Missy Franklin starts life at Cal in the celebrity spotlight. The four-time Olympic gold medalist will begin doing work in the pool as well.