COUGARS • UPDATED: 9:45 A.M.

Being without a computer for a day is like being without your hair – no, I'm used to that. So it's more like making do without your brain, and all evidence to the contrary, I'm not used to that. Yesterday was hard, almost like withdrawing from caffeine or something, with the headaches included. But I got it back now, all fixed up and loaded with memories, so we're able to get back to doing what we do best, filling your mind with way too many words and links, so read on.

• UPDATE: The Pac-10 announced the FSN portion of the basketball schedule this morning and Washington State is assured of at least six appearances on the network. The non-conference home games against Kansas State (Dec. 3) and Gonzaga (Dec. 8) will be broadcast by FSN, along with conference games at UCLA (Dec. 29), Washington (Jan. 30), at Arizona (Feb. 17) and at Washington (Feb. 27). And two games from the Diamond Head Classic will be on an ESPN channel. There should be more games on TV, of course. But that's for later.
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• Washington State: We had our first look at UCLA today and we stand firmly behind one aspect of it. UCLA's running game has really picked up the past two weeks, and it's going to test WSU's defensive discipline and tackling fundamentals, both of which they worked on last night despite not having on pads. ... Tackling was discussed, with Paul Wulff saying it was a want-to thing, He said desire plays such a big part in tackling, that his guys have to play tougher and want to knock guys backward. ... As for players sitting out, the only one I saw was special teams star Kyle McCartney. Cornerback Aire Justin, who is from Southern California, was back at practice and should be able to travel to Pasadena. Scout team wide receiver Austin Ehlo, who sat out last week, was back in uniform. ... The battle at safety between senior Chima Nwachukwu and freshman Deone Bucannon meant divided practice time with the first unit for the two. Wulff said they both will play Saturday. ... There were these thoughts from CougCenter on the players' attitude and these thoughts from the WSU Football Blog on Wulff. ... And that's it for today.

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• Around the Pac-10: I thought ESPN.com's Ted Miller worked hard on Sunday but I was mistaken. He really worked hard yesterday, what with his Heisman update, stock report, quick preview of this weekend's games, a look at the middle of the conference, the players of the week (UCLA had the offensive and defensive players after upsetting Texas, the school that submarined the Pac-16 concept), and his rewind. ... The winner of ASU at Oregon State has the inside track for a bowl berth ... Washington: This is a big week for Steve Sarkisian. He heads back to the Coliseum for the first time, where he will match wits with buddy Lane Kiffin. ... Oregon State: The WAC is reviewing the hit on James Rodgers. ... Oregon: There is a connection between Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck and his counterpart at Oregon, Darron Thomas. ... Luck and the Cardinal offense presents the Duck defense with a challenge. ... Cal: Nothing today. ... Stanford: The Oregon game was on the Cardinal's mind early this week. ... USC: More on the Sarkisian-Kiffin connection. ... Dillon Baxter may be let loose this Saturday. ... UCLA: The Bruins' running game is running full throttle. Now it's time to get the passing offense working. ... Rick Neuheisel won't let his team get full of itself (insert your own joke here). ... Arizona State: The Sun Devils don't play at home until WSU visits. ... Arizona: The Wildcats were expected to have troubles with a rebuilt defense. Nope.

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• That's all for this morning. We'll be back this afternoon. Until then ...

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