Roundup: Mark Helfrich, 'The Quiet Genius'

Please do Czech out this Grantland feature on Oregon coach Mark Helfrich, dubbed “The Quiet Genius” by Michael Weinreb. Additionally, Oregon is wearing black and pink uniforms for Thursday night’s game against Arizona. For a good cause too – the Ducks are wearing pink to help raise awareness for women’s cancers.

With Taylor Kelly still injured, Mike Bercovici will start Saturday against USC, Todd Graham announced. Also, Bercovici is talking friendly trash to USC defensive tackle Antwaun Woods, a close friend of his from high school. Forks and Trojans this weekend.

Heading into a huge non-conference clash with rival Notre Dame, Stanford is trying to jump-start its offense, writes Antonio Gonzalez of AP fame.

I think we can all agree on this statement from Kyle Ringo: Sefo Liufau and Nelson Spruce have good chemistry, and it started on Liufau’s first drive as a collegiate quarterback. Spruce has ridiculous numbers this year – 56 catches for 697 yards and 10 touchdowns. And oh yeah, the Buffs have only played five games.

Utah coach Kyle Whittingham is “optimistic” that defensive back Tevin Carter will play against UCLA; the Utes missed his services in a 28-27 loss to Washington State.

Cal quarterback Jared Goff leads ESPN’s Pac-12 quarterback power rankings for week 5. No surprise there.

Chantel Jennings gives us plenty of reasons why you should watch Cal-Washington State Saturday night. You can go out at 11 p.m. (if you’re on the West Coast); this one will be well worth your time.

Tough outing for the Oregon State quarterback Saturday night, but Kevin Hampton of the Corvallis Gazette-Times says that Sean Mannion is moving on from the USC game. It was time to start thinking about the Buffs three days ago.

Adam Jude gives us a Washington football progress report after five games. Huskies have a bye this week.

Time for a feature on Arizona linebacker Scooby Wright from Daniel Berk of the Arizona Daily Star. Dude leads the Pac-12 with 51 tackles, and teammate Tra’Mayne Bondurant likened him to Adam Sandler’s character in “The Waterboy.”

USC running back Javorius Allen is trying to evade tacklers better and get into the second level of his defense, something Steve Sarkisian is challenging him and fellow back Justin Davis to do.

After burning his redshirt in the Arizona State game, UCLA wide receiver Alex Van Dyke is ready to contribute some more (thanks, Jack Wang). He didn’t catch a pass against the Sun Devils, but he was on the field for a few plays.

For a conference-wide note, Pac-12 schools are proposing changes to student-athlete benefits. Providing multi-year scholarships and increasing medical support are among the proposed changes.