Odds are, WSU will be underdog
COUGARS
USC became the first Pac-10 team to open 2010 season when the Trojans began fall camp yesterday in Los Angeles. Arizona follows suit today, then everyone else as the days roll on (Washington State starts Sunday). We have some links on that and some observations on the run-up to the season's first week. Read on.
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• As I was running around the web this morning, I stumbled upon a site with some early betting lines. Scrolling down, I found the Cougars opened as a 16½-point underdog against Oklahoma State. The line seems to be 14 now. Which got me to thinking. These teams played a couple years ago in Seattle in the opener, with OSU winning 39-13. That was a pretty darn good OSU team and a lot more experienced then the current model. The Cougars? They were on their way to, statistically at least, one of the worst seasons in their history (though they did finish with two wins). So I guess 14 is about right, in that WSU is probably going to be much improved, OSU isn't as good and the game is in Stillwater. But how do you see it? Do you think Oklahoma State should be favored by more or should the line be tighter? Let me know. ... The loss to OSU two years ago wasn't all that painful, considering the Cougars played well for most of the game only to wear down and to have their special teams let them down. But the loss Ted Miller cites here was really painful for Cougar fans. Though the game listed above certainly wasn't. ... The first day of the Lane Kiffin era at USC is nothing like the Pete Carroll era. Nothing at all. Though it was a big relief. ... Wonder what AP voters take into account when filling out their weekly ballot? You can read their guidelines here. ... When Oregon practice begins next week, coach Chip Kelly will be watching the quarterbacks carefully. One, Darron Thomas, will be out to prove he's ready to drive the offense. ... More on the pressure Cal coach Jeff Tedford is feeling. ... Arizona State wants to turn the page on the last couple seasons. ... One basketball note. Oregon, under new coach Dana Altman, is headed to Italy, if everyone stays healthy.
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• That's all for this morning. We'll be back if events warrant. Until then ...
