Three things to watch in the Pac-12

What happens today impacts WSU’s….Rose Bowl chances?

Good morning, Coug fans. Our Washington State Cougars are idle this week, but what happens in the rest of the Pac-12 today greatly impacts WSU’s fate going forward. By now, you probably know WSU and Oregon are the only teams in the Pac-12 North that control their own destiny. Win out, and WSU’s in the Pac-12 Championship Game. Even if WSU loses to Oregon next week, there’s still hope!

And get this: What if I told you WSU can even wrap up the Pac-12 North before the Apple Cup? Crazy, I know, but it’s possible. A lot has to happen, and I tried writing it out but gave up after a half hour because my head hurt.

I’ll just allow Josh Furlong of KSLsports.com in Salt Lake City to do the work:

Basically, Oregon, WSU, Oregon State and Washington are still in the race for the North. Oregon and WSU have the most straightforward path, and Oregon State and Washington need a considerable amount of chaos in their favor.

Some of this will be cleared up after today is over, but not all of it. With that, here’s what we’re watching today:

Three Things to Watch in the Pac-12

1. Oregon’s study habits: Washington head coach Jimmy Lake put his boot in his yapper this week when he said UW doesn’t see Oregon as a recruiting rival because UW goes up against schools that have “more academic prowess” like Notre Dame, Stanford and USC. Lake later walked back his comments and used the old “taken out of context” defense, but that’s not going to help him. I really hope Oregon trounces UW and puts its foot on the gas no matter the score. Hey, Oregon needs style points. Should the Ducks win (they should), Mario Cristobal should withhold his players from meeting the media, justifying it by saying, “Well our student athletes take their academics real serious and decided a group academic study session would be better then talking to the media. I hope you understand.”

2. USC at ASU: Which team wants it less? Talk about drama. Both teams are under the gun, and USC already fired its head coach and ASU might not be far behind in doing the same. The Sun Devils haven’t really showed up since the first half against Utah back on….checks notes…Oct. 16! Herm Edwards took absolutely none of the blame for having his team ill prepared coming off a bye week, and put it all on the players. Great leadership! Meanwhile, USC lost its best receiver, is dealing with an apathetic fanbase, and just gave up 34 points to the terrible Arizona Wildcats last week.

3. Cal’s roster: The California Golden Bears are dealing with a depleted roster due to COVID restrictions, and apparently the city of Berkeley is to blame. Jon Wilner reported that the Bears are 99% vaccinated and there’s no outbreak. So, what’s going on? Information is scant, and my only guess is the City of Berkeley says fully vaccinated individuals—even if they’re not showing any symptoms—must sit out if they come into contact with a COVID-positive individual. That’s not the case elsewhere. At least the Bears get to play Arizona, right?

DUBS DOWN

Leave No Doubt – Washington State University Athletics
Cougs wrap up the regular season with 4-2 win over Washington. The NCAA Tournament is next.

Volleyball Sweeps

Timmer and the Cougs serve up a sweep – Washington State University Athletics
PULLMAN, Wash. – Picking up where they left off a few weeks prior in Tucson, No. 21 Washington State (15-8, 9-4) put on a serving clinic en route to a 3-0 sweep

Links

WSU Stuff

College basketball 2021-22: Deep and talented, Washington State men eager to show it belongs with the Pac-12’s best | The Spokesman-Review
In the past two years, Washington State’s men’s basketball program ascended from the pits of obscurity. The Cougars pocketed some signature wins over NCAA Tournament qualifiers, inked some promising recruits and got their fan base believing again. It’s been a steady, encouraging climb for WSU under coach Kyle Smith.

Washington State football: Cougars use late bye week to game plan, recruit, rejuvenate | The Spokesman-Review
PULLMAN – The past nine weeks have been a whirlwind for Washington State’s football team, and the Cougars are finally getting a moment to decompress.

College basketball 2021-22: After NCAA berth, bar is higher for Washington State women | The Spokesman-Review
For Washington State women’s basketball coach Kamie Ethridge, rising expectations don’t feel like much of a burden. On the contrary, they’re just “notches on the ladder,” Ethridge said last month at a Pacific-12 Conference media event.

Men’s Golf Concludes the Fall at the Saint Mary’s Invitational – Washington State University Athletics
PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. – The Washington men’s golf team looks to stay hot to close out the 2021 fall schedule, as the Cougars head to the Golden State.

Other Stuff

Dead Money
What did FBS schools pay football and basketball coaches not to coach? The numbers will surprise you.

College football Week 10 – Sam Howell vs. No. 9 Wake Forest, GameDay at No. 6 Cincy and more
Sam Howell wants the Heisman. Cincinnati wants a spot in the playoff. Are they on track for the goal? All that and more in a crowded Week 10 for college football.

College football picks, schedule: Predictions against the spread, odds for top 25 games today in Week 10 – CBSSports.com
A closer look at the top games on the slate for Week 10 of the 2021 season

College football schedule, games 2021: What to watch in Week 10, TV channels, Saturday kickoff times – CBSSports.com
A critical SEC West battle headlines the first weekend in November in college football