It’s Apple Cup day
COUGARS
Took it easy last night just so I could be up early and have this Apple Cup post waiting for you. You don't know how big a sacrifice it really was. But it is Apple Cup day, a day that comes only once a year – isn't every day like that? – so we wanted to make it special. But sorry Todd, I still couldn't find a Cal story and I wasn't about to write one myself. We do, however, have lots of rivalry items from around the conference. And way too much from the Apple Cup. Read on.
••••••••••
• Washington State: We posted our game-day items and an unedited version of the advance last night, so you can access those (if you want, the edited advance is here). We also put up the basketball story, which appeared in the paper. The hoops team will play for the title tonight at 8, though it won't be on FSN. ... John Blanchette catches up with former Cougar Andy Roof. ... The News Tribune's Todd Milles caught up with former Cougar coach Bill Doba and also had this game preview.
• Around the Pac-10: ESPN.com's Ted Miller opens his mailbag. ... Washington: Apple Cups haven't been blowouts in recent years. ... Oregon State: Lyle Moevao was hoping for big things during his senior year. He got one play. ... Oregon: The Ducks migrate back to the practice field. ... California: As we mentioned above – and many time this year – nothing. ... Stanford: The Cardinal feature a couple players that began their career in South Bend. ... USC: This has been a tough year for the Trojans. A loss today would make it much, much worse. ...UCLA: Of course, that outcome would leave Bruin fans ecstatic – and this I know from familial experience. ... Arizona State: Expect defenses to dominate the Territorial Cup (really, isn't there a shorter, much-easier-to-say nickname available here?). ... Arizona: The Wildcats, who entered the season with such promise, need a promising outcome today to salvage some pride.
•••
• That's all for this morning. We'll return before the game with our usual thoughts and notes, including the scene at Husky Stadium and the injury situation. Until then …