Roundup: Stanford and Oregon State under the Thursday night lights

How about we have some fun on the gridiron Thursday night? Stanford is trekking up to Corvallis to take on Oregon State (6 p.m. PT, ESPN), and Jeff Faraudo ponders whether or not running back Bryce Love can overcome the long odds to win the Heisman Trophy. Stanford has produced four Heisman runners-up since 2009.

Danny Moran writes about Oregon State running back Ryan Nall and Stanford running back Cameron Scarlett’s success as high school teammates at Central Catholic High School. In a state semifinal game, the two combined for 676 rushing yards and nine touchdowns in an 83-49 win over previously-undefeated Tigard.

USA TODAY released its annual survey of college football coaches’ salaries, and Michael Lev notes that Arizona’s Rich Rodriguez is the fifth highest-paid coach in college football and the highest-paid head honcho in the Pac-12. Unsurprisingly, Nick Saban is No. 1 on the list.

There’s been speculation about his future recently, so USC quarterback Sam Darnold said he will determine his 2018 NFL Draft status “after the season” (NBC Sports).

Rusty Simmons notes that Colorado is considering a quarterback change for the Cal game. Buffs head coach Mike MacIntyre said the decision to start either Steven Montez or Sam Noyer will be a game-time decision.

Theo Lawson reports that Washington State wide receiver Tavares Martin Jr. had his suspension lifted by head coach Mike Leach and will therefore play at Arizona on Saturday.

Arizona State men’s basketball is hosting a free exhibition Thursday night against Northern State at 6 p.m at Wells Fargo Arena, and Doug Haller has the deets for you in the preceding link.

Jon Wilner takes a look at UCLA football’s tough upcoming two-week schedule, having to play at Washington Saturday before traveling to Salt Lake City to take on Utah Friday night. Czech this out – in the last year and a half, the road team in a Friday night game is 0-5 after having played a road game the previous Saturday.

Former Dawg Markelle Fultz will miss the next three games for the Philadelphia 76ers because of soreness in his right shoulder, reports the Associated Press.

Good stuff from ESPN’s Jonathan Hawthorne on Oregon women’s soccer defender Bri Parsons and how her Duck family helped her in a time of need when the North Bay fires destroyed her biological family’s house in Santa Rosa. Good on ya, Oregon women’s soccer.

Greg Bishop of Sports Illustrated writes that Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff is thriving in GM Les Snead’s plan to build a winning team. Goff is a major reason why the Rams are 5-2 and in first place in the NFC West. Very intriguing read.

Kurt Kragthorpe whips up this feature on Utah AD Chris Hill, taking a look at what Hill has achieved in his 30 years on the job.