Roundup: Time for a fiesta

Time for the big-boy bowls over these next couple of days, and Arizona will get the Pac-12 really going in the bowl season with a Fiesta Bowl showdown against Boise State. The Arizona Republic gives us an Arizona-Boise State Fiesta Bowl preview (1 p.m. PT/2 p.m. MT, ESPN), and Jeff Metcalfe predicts a 42-38 outcome in favor of the ‘Cats.

The Pac-12 enters New Year’s Eve at 4-0 on the bowl season campaign thanks to some lifting from David Shaw and Friends. It was pretty easy-peezy, lemon-squeezy for the Farm Boys last night, as Stanford dominated Maryland in the Foster Farms Bowl by a 45-21 count.

Just 24 hours ‘til The Grandaddy of ‘Em All, and Lindsay Schnell writes that Oregon’s defense is looking to make a statement in the Rose Bowl against Florida State. Also, check out Ted Miller’s profile of Oregon coach Mark Helfrich – good stuff enclosed in the link.

Good news for Sun Devils fans – D.J. Foster is returning to Arizona State instead of opting for the NFL draft. In the link, columnist Scott Bordow explains how Foster decided to stay in school because of the advice of his late sister, Jennifer.

Utah basketball forward Jordan Loveridge returned to action in the Runnin’ Utes’ 85-49 win over Carroll College Tuesday night, scoring 14 points. He had missed the last seven games with a knee injury.

Jeff Faraudo reports that Cal basketball’s Jabari Bird could return in a couple of weeks. He has missed the last seven contests due to a stress fracture in his left foot.

At which position does Myles Jack project best at the NFL level? Good question; defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich is still trying to figure that out himself.

Sweetness – Washington State defensive lineman Kalafitoni Pole will play in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl on Jan. 17.

Tight – USC tight end Randall Telfer has been invited to the 2015 NFL combine.

Not too many people expected the Fighting Tinkles to be 9-3 heading into conference play, but that’s what the win-loss column looks like after Oregon State men’s basketball beat UC Santa Barbara 76-64 Tuesday night, overcoming a 16-point deficit in the pre-league finale.

Brian Howell writes that Colorado men’s basketball is having trouble closing out games as it heads into Pac-12 play. The Buffs open the Pac-12 slate Friday at home against UCLA.

Christian Caple features Washington quarterback Jeff Lindquist, who started the season opener and has provided spot duty ever since for the Dawgs in a variety of roles.