Daily Breakfast Links: 05.23.2011

*There has been discussions in Pullman about creating a signature entrance song/ceremony for Washington State.  Im not quite sure how this is going to help the on field product, but hey, pre-game traditions is what college football is all about.  [WSU Football Blog]

*Jeff Tedford chatted in a rare off-season interview about the state of California Golden Bears football.  While there is still a great deal of uncertainly for next season, Tedford does a great job subduing the situation. [Bay Area SB Nation]

*USC added running back Jahleel Pinner to its 2012 recruiting class.  Thanks to his size (6’0”, 225lbs), the recruit from Mission Viejo HS is projected to be a full back for the Trojans. [OC Varsity]  

*Stanford and Notre Dame continue their long-lived tradition for another eight years.  I gotta say, this is one of my favorite rivalries in college football.  It needs to continue for the next century  [San Jose Mercury]

*Colorado’s head coach Jon Embree attended his first meeting of Pac-12 Coaches early this month. He described how it feels being the new kid on the block and the different roles played by the coaches.  But, Dennis Erickson as the Godfather...Come on! [Daily Camera]

Colorado Buffaloes Spring Game Report Card

Spring Game Type: 105-Play Scrimmage

Final Score: N/A

Colorado’s new head coach Jon Embree emerges from spring drills with a little more buzz surrounding the Buffaloes then when he entered it.  The road ahead is still quite treacherous, but it seems like there is a light at the end of the tunnel. 

Offense:

Senior quarterback Tyler Hansen’s performance in Colorado’s spring game was good enough to land him the starting job a few days later.  Although Hansen didn’t have the best stats on the day (8-15, 120 yards, 1TD), his poise and decision making in the pocket was noticeably improved from last year’s shortened season.

Redshirt freshman quarterback Nick Hirschman also showed signs of promise for Colorado’s future, connecting on 11 of 19 passes for 170 yards and two touchdowns.

Sophomore running back Josh Ford provided Colorado with a sprinkle of potential in their backfield as well, collecting 164 yards on 17 carries, breaking off a 56-yard scamper for a touchdown.   

Grade: B+

Defense:

Colorado’s defense started off solid in their spring game, impressing their coach with text-book tackling.

Redshirt freshman linebacker Zac Blaha bullied his way towards the ball on practically every play, leading the team with nine tackles and forcing the quarterback to hold onto the ball twice.

Senior defensive end David Goldberg did his best to gain a starting role in his final season, collecting three sacks in the absence of projected starter Chidera Uzo-Dirlbe.

The Buffaloes defense definitely had several bright spots this spring and it will be exciting to see how this spring’s success translates in the fall.

Grade:  B+

Pac-12 Football Breakfast Links: 05.06.2011

*Oregon linebacker Kiko Alonso is suspended for a second straight season after his arrest on burglary and trespassing chargers. Perhaps Chip Kelly should cut his losses. This recruit from Los Gatos isn't going pan out as he expected. [Seattle Times]

*Speaking of the Seattle Times, Bob Condotta reminded us that the Pac-12 Bowl schedule pretty much blows.   Thanks Bob for ruining my Friday.  [Seattle Times]

*Colorado Coach Jon Embree talks about DE Forrest West's departure without really saying anything at all about what actually happened.  Great job coach.  [Denver Post]

* Steven Threet's decision to retire after a gnarly concussion last year could not have been easy.  He was a promising player and it just plain sucks that we wont get a chance to see him next year. [AZCentral.com]

*With its first real conference schedule staring them square in the face,  Utah's yearly rivalry game with BYU seems to be losing a bit of its luster.  Wait, did it have that much to begin with?  [Salt Lake Tribune]