Roundup: Colorado is enjoying the ride
Thursday night football on the docket in the Pac-12, and while we won’t get those awesome color rush uniforms that we see in the NFL for Thursday night games (yes, they are amazing, and all of you are wrong for saying they aren’t, and no Roger Goodell didn’t pay me to say that), we should see an exciting one between Colorado and UCLA. George Schroeder of USA TODAY Sports tells us that Colorado football is enjoying the ride this year, as the Buffs are bowl eligible for the first time since 2007 and have a chance to win the Pac-12.
You would have thought this headline is a joke had you read it at the beginning of the season, but UCLA is playing the spoiler role against Colorado, writes Kyle Bonagura.
Nice – Auburn and Washington will open the 2018 college football season against each other in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Classic in Atlanta.
Oregon basketball’s Dillon Brooks was named an AP preseason All-American (The Oregonian/OregonLive), marking the first time in program history a Duck has been named to the preseason squad. Cal’s Ivan Rabb also earned some preseason AP love.
I just don’t get this one at all – Mike Leach’s compliment of Oregon State irked Gary Andersen, as the Beavers head honcho told John Canzano, “I couldn’t tell if he was trying to start a campaign for Coach of the Year or trying to compliment Oregon State” in response to Leach saying Oregon State is “an explosive team” and “every bit as talented as” the Cougs. Come on, man.
Kevin Gemmell tells us that quarterback changes are helping both USC and Oregon this year as the Trojans and Ducks get ready for a Saturday night showdown.
Jeff Faraudo notes that Cal can’t let Washington get off to a quick start on Saturday in Berkeley; otherwise, the game could get out of hand early like it did for the Bears against USC. The Dawgs have outscored teams 107-7 in the first quarter this season.
Arizona women's volleyball handed USC its first road loss of the season last night in a 3-2 thriller at McKale Center. The Wildcats' Kalei Mau had a double-double with 15 kills and 12 digs in the win.
Doug Haller informed us that Bobby Hurley is thinking about using a small lineup, as he went 6'1", 6'1", 6'5", 6'7" and 6'8" for his starting five in a “secret” scrimmage against Weber State.
Tom FitzGerald features Stanford offensive lineman Nate Herbig, aka “Big Island”. He grew up in Hawaii and tipped the scales at 359 pounds during training camp (he’s now down to a slim 338), so I’d say that’s a pretty good nickname.
Danny Moran gives us this piece on Oregon State safety Jalen Moore, who feels the game is slowing down for him. A 10-tackle outing against Wazzu appears to confirm that statement.
Covering all things Utes, Kyle Goon writes that Utah volleyball is trying to replicate its road success at home. Beth Launiere’s 19th-ranked Utes are 8-2 in true road games this year but just 5-4 at home.