1
Pac-12 scheduling results in missing two opponents each year. So, who caught some luck and who did not in this year’s slate of games. Bud Withers of the Seattle Times examined this.
Most fortunate was Utah, who missed Oregon and Stanford. Oregon is an automatic loss and Stanford has been consistently in the top 25. UCLA also is in luck, being the other team getting to miss Oregon.
Arizona is the luckless team in 2012. Missing Washington State and Cal takes the two bottom feeders from the North off its schedule. Oregon State and Cal both miss Colorado. Any team missing the Buffs is missing out.
2
The World Series is over, so baseball’s Hot Stove League begins.
If you’re wondering, Zach Greinke is the top pitcher on the market and Josh Hamilton the top position player.
Greinke seems like a nice fit with the Los Angeles Angels, but could end up with whatever annual surprise spender decides to pony up.
The Rangers have said they won’t offer Hamilton a deal until he tests the waters. His off-field issues and injury history make him a big risk, but his production makes him worthy of huge money.
Among the other top pitchers available are Hiroki Kuroda, Kyle Lohse, Ryan Dempster and Edwin Jackson.
Other top position players are Michael Bourn, B.J. Upton, Torii Hunter, Nick Swisher.
3
A week ago, Washington coach Steve Sarkisian wasn’t exactly in trouble, but his honeymoon with the Husky faithful had run its course. He was a game under .500 in his 31/2 years and his team was in a three-game losing streak, being outscored 128-52.
Amazing how the victory over then-No. 7 Oregon State turned Washington’s season around.
But Dawg fans don’t learn. Too many Washington fans see 8-4 as the Huskies final mark, heading into a bowl on a five-game win streak.
Apparently, they have not paid attention to how wildly erratic Washington is, and that they play road games at Cal, Colorado and Washington State.
With this team, be realistic and satisfied with a 6-6 finish. The future is brighter…just not right away.
