Roundup: How Washington State worked its way into Pac-12 contention

Stefanie Loh of The Seattle Times describes how Washington State worked its way into Pac-12 contention. Is this really the same season that the Cougs lost to Eastern Washington?

Huge news for the Utes – Utah running back Joe Williams has returned to the team and might play Saturday against Oregon State, reports Kyle Goon. Williams retired earlier in the season, but the Utes could certainly use his help considering how banged up they are in the backfield.

Arizona linebacker Cody Ippolito is out for the season with a torn ACL, Rich Rodriguez announced Monday. Rough news, especially since Ippolito tore his ACL in fall camp last year, forcing him to miss the 2015 season.

Oregon State running back Ryan Nall is questionable for the Utah game this weekend, Danny Moran reports. Nall was amazing against Cal, rushing for a career-high 221 yards on just 14 carries before missing the end of the fourth quarter and OT with a banged up left foot. He was in a walking boot after practice Tuesday, Moran notes.

This is from last week, but what a great story by Mirin Fader of espnW on Cal volleyball player Savannah Rennie and her comeback from a liver transplant. She had a rare disease that could have been fatal but played in her first match with the Golden Bears on Friday against Utah, just months after receiving the liver transplant.

Paul Myerberg of USA TODAY Sports has Washington quarterback Jake Browning third in his Heisman Trophy power rankings, trailing Lamar Jackson of Louisville and Deshaun Watson of Clemson.

Brian Hamilton of Sports Illustrated gives us a look at how Clay Helton runs the USC football program amidst all that pressure that comes with winning in Troy. It’s all about incremental improvement, yo.

Kyle Bonagura writes about UCLA’s running game woes in this article. UCLA running backs have averaged just 2.65 yards per carry over the last four games, and nearly a third of their carries have gone for zero or negative yards. Eesh.

Kevin Gemmell provides us with this article on Zane Gonzalez discussing his record-setting career as Arizona State’s kicker. His 89 made field goals are an NCAA FBS all-time record.

So while the Buffs aren’t quite sure who will be starting for them at QB, Colorado is preparing for two Arizona State quarterbacks as well – Manny Wilkins and Dillon Sterling-Cole.

Anne M. Peterson of the Associated Press writes that Oregon is looking for answers in its bye week. The Ducks head into their “off” week on a four-game losing skid.

Alan Shipnuck of Golf.com wonders if this is the end of Tiger Woods’ meaningful professional golf career after he announced that he was withdrawing from the Safeway Open.