Pac-12 Breakfast Links: 06.13.2011

*The NCAA has to be the most annoying thorn in Lane Kiffin's side, right now. But, I guess it's still better than dealing with Al Davis.  [Los Angeles Times]

*Pete Carroll threw in his two-cents about the USC and NCAA fiasco.  I’ll give you one guess which side he favors.   [Inside USC]

*Rich Neuheisel is obviously on a short leash this season and his offseason progress report just arrived with varied results.  The end is so close for Neuheisel you can taste it.  [Bruins Nation]

*Seems like this Cal fan cant get over the past.  USC still won the game.  I’d say it's time to move on.  [SF Examiner]

*Apparently Utah quarterbacks also make great linebackers.  [Desert News]     

*Speaking of the Utes, prices for tickets are up for next season.  Welcome to a BCS conference Utah.  [Salt Lake Tribune]

*Ducks Float. The entire Oregon team was named the grand marshal for Portland Rose Festival’s 2011 Spirit Mountain Casino Grand Floral Parade.  [Register Guard]

Pac-12 Recruiting Roundup

Kevon Seymour could take his talents to Southern Cal

Welcome to the soap opera that sports fans like to call College Football Recruiting! 

For those that are not accustomed to the inner ways of college football recruiting, the easiest way to describe it would be teenage drama with a football twist. 

It is a process where senior high school football players are courted by the fairest hands of all the land like they are the next Peyton Manning.  These 18-year olds are then forced to choose a four-year path that could potentially make or break their football careers.

Think of it as picking a date to the prom, but then also having to marry her for the next four years. While there is always divorce (transferring schools), it comes with its price.

Since we are dealing with sometimes erratic teenagers, a school that they like one week may become fuax pas the next.  And, even after some players do make a commitment to one school, they have the audacity to change their minds before February rolls around.

It’s a fun roller coaster ride, but it can be hard to keep track of.  This round-up will do its best to give you the cliff notes version of this week’s Pac-12 recruiting rumblings.    

Pac-12 Breakfast Links: 06.10.2011

*The New Mexico Bowl couldn’t wait to get a piece of the Pac-12 pie.  I can’t blame them, it does look tasty.   [theMWC.com]

*Reggie Bush’s Heisman is taking a slight detour on its trip back to USC.  Apparently the little guy heard San Diego has some killer tacos.  [Inside USC]

*Not really sure who wants to read Marshall Lobbestael's diary.  It's like Hard Knocks... but the PBS version. [Cougfan.com]

*The State of Utah is dubbing July 1st "Utah Pac-12 Day".  If it comes with a day off, then I'm definitely an observer.  [Block U]          

*Colorado was picked to finish second to last in the South by the Sporting News and Utah was selected to take the division.  Guess they aren’t concerned about the Utes first full BCS schedule.  [Denver Post]

*Oregon State has a bevy of questions and Kerry Eggers has the credentials to get the answers.  Can the Beavers overcome the injury bug before the season starts?  [ESPN]

*Heated rivalries take time, especially forced ones.  Let’s hope Colorado smashes Utah’s division title chances on the last game of the season.  Now that could spark the fire.  [Salt Lake Tribune]

Arizona State Football: Can Brock Osweiler Contend for the Pac-12 Passing Title?

The names atop the Pac-12's quarterback list for the 2011 season include two potential top 10 NFL draft picks and a player that has already been to a National Championship game. Unfortunately for Arizona State, neither of these names will be stitched to the back of a Sun Devils' jersey this fall.

Brock Osweiler certainly is not at the caliber of Andrew Luck or Matt Barkley and he sure as hell doesn't have the flashy style possessed by Darron Thomas. However, would it be absolutely insane to consider Osweiler a contender for the top quarterback in the Pac-12 conference?

Pac-12 Breakfast Link: 06.09.2011

*EA Sports’ release of its NCAA Football team’s rating is almost becoming as important as Blue Ribbon or Phil Steele.  Can’t wait to get my hands on a copy [The Daily Drip]

*The evidence against Ohio State is sure piling up. If their punishment by the NCAA isn't heavier than the recent sanctions handed to USC, then the system will continue to be a running joke. Checks? Come on, Pryor, that's Busch League. [Yahoo] 

*Tom Dienhart poses an interesting question “Do Cal official want to christen a re-done stadium with a new coach in 2012?”  If Tedford cant right the ship, seems like an intriguing possibility. [Belling Hamherald]

* Members of the Oregon’s Alumni Association were “generously” offered tickets to the LSU game at Cowboys Stadium for the not-so low price of $105 per ticket. Jerry-Town doesn't maintain itself I guess.  [Register Guard]

*An aging writer compares the BYU-Utah rivalry to himself, saying that the Holy War will slowly lose its meaning.  Sounds like there might be a new job open at his paper. [Desert News] 

*The campuses of Arizona State, Stanford, and UCLA better be prepared for a stampeded.  Colorado likes to plan parties on the road, so watch out for the roaming Buffaloes.  [Daily Camera]

*What if college football's conferences hit the shuffle button? SB Nation embarks on an interesting project doing just that. [House of Sparky]

Pac-12 Football Daily Breakfast Links: 06.08.2011

Today, let’s take the Breakfast links out of the Pacific Time Zone and see what the rest of the college football nation is rumbling about.

*Could kickoffs be a thing we tell our children about how football games used to start?  After watching that horrific play that the paralyzed Rutgers defensive tackle Eric LeGrand, coach Greg Schiano sure hopes so.  Here is his interesting suggestion on replacing the kickoff play.  [SI.com]

*Much to the dismay of the NCAA, Colt McCoy’s wife gives a convincing description about the temptations presented to college football players in Texas. I think the NCAA is seriously underestimating the  term "Free" in regards to college students. [Campus Corner]

*Terrelle Pryor calls it quits.  Good luck Ohio State.  The year is only going to continue to get rougher. [Waiting for Next Year] 

*Ya, players are breaking the rules. It’s not a surprise anymore.  But then again, it's not like the NCAA has been perfect either.  Those who live in glass houses…blah, blah, blah.  Give me liberty or give me a better system! [Washington Examiner]

*Ok, I couldn’t resist…back to the Pac-12 to wrap it up.  USC’s Marc Tyler is most likely going to get suspended for a few games this season for off the field troubles.  Hmm….I thought the Trojans were moving forward. [ESPN]

                                       

USC Football: Why Non-USC Fans Should Want the Trojans to Go Undefeated

I'm definitely not the only person who experiences a slight twinge of happiness while watching the USC empire crumble. 

After decades of the Trojans dominating the top of the Pac-10 standings, it was nice seeing the conference bully take a beating for once.  But, there is a point when all brawls become hard to watch. 

Yesterday, the BCS officially stripped USC of its 2004 National Championship title, landing the final haymaker on this “USCheaters Era”.  

Now that this down-for-the-count blow has finally been thrown, it is time for everyone to take stock and move forward. 

Pac-12 Football Daily Breakfast Links: 06.07.2011

*This isn’t the championship you are looking for! USC's 2004 BCS championship is officially vacated by the NCAA. Now all they have to do is erase the memories of everyone that actually witnessed the event. [Inside USC]

*The Nike camp made its way through Eugene over the weekend, where several Pacific Coast recruits continued to gain traction amongst Pac-12 schools. Although Lake Owego’s Alex Matthew is still waiting for an official from any school, his phone should start to light up more this week. [Rivals]

*According to the gossip train, Texas running back Terrance Crowder really, really likes Colorado. But will this is this relationship be more “Zach and Kelly” or “Screech and Lisa”? [Buff Stampede]

                                                                         

*Arizona saddled four-star tight end Taylor McNamara, making him the Wildcats third commit for 2012. Several Pac-12 schools solicited offers, but McNamara apparently coveted early playing time over everything else.  Not a bad a choice considering some of the schools recent products at that position. [ESPN]

*Former Cal quarterback Kevin Riley's pro career has hit the skids.  If Canada Football doesn't want you, there aren’t many places that will. [California Golden Blogs]

Ranking the Pac-12's Top Wide Receivers

Wide receivers are an integral part to any passing game and these guys will be moving the offensive gears for the Pac-12 in 2011.

Thanks to the abundance of talent at quarterback in the Pac-12, the wide receivers of this conference will be presented with copious chances to prove their worth.

While there are a handful of names that are expected to shine in the national spotlight, there could be a few on this list that take the country by surprise.

Here are the Top 10 wide receivers in the Pac-12.

Daily Breakfast Links: 06.06.2011

*Washington picked up another solid quarterback for its 2012 class with the recent committing of Cyler Miles.  The three-star recruit from Denver joins fellow arms dealer Jeff Lindquist, a four star recruit the Huskies picked up in late April [Max Preps]

*Say what you will about walk-on players, but Stanford has certainly found success with these un-recruited athletes.  Cardinal fans, remember a few of these names just in case one or two happen to make a splash. [Examiner]

*This summer, the Pac-12 is visiting each school and making sure they are capable of hosting a Conference Championship game.  There might be a few campuses that this committee can gloss over… [Daily Camera]

*Speaking of the Cougars, apparently there are only five causes for concern in regards to Washington State chances of success next season.  There has to be more reasons than that.  [WSU Football Blog]

*The NCAA and USC can’t seem to stay out of the news.  An ex-Trojan assistant is suing the NCAA for libel, slander, and a slew of other charges.  Fight On…in court [ESPN]

Stanford Football: Do the Cardinal Need a Top Tier Receiver?

Stanford’s top three receivers from last season are gone, leaving a gaping hole at wide-out on its depth chart.  But, with Andrew Luck leading the charge for the Cardinal’s offense, it begs the question: does Stanford even need a top tier receiver to be successful in 2011?

While it might be outlandish for some to compare Luck to Tom Brady or Peyton Manning this early in his career, it is certainly not a stretch if you call him one of the best quarterbacks in college football today.

Like Brady and Manning, Luck has the tools to succeed at his position despite an apparent lack of talent lining up wide.  The vision and cerebral nature of these quarterbacks allows them to find the open guy and let even the most unknown of names become a league leading receiver.

Daily Breakfast Links: 06.01.2011

*Oregon State lured the only female NFL fitness trainer back to Corvalis.  Congrats on the new position Ariko Iso [Post Gazette]

*Athlon Sports released its first Pac-12 magazine for next season, publishing a different cover for each region of the conference.  Eleven teams made the cut.  Guess which inept team apparently didn’t deserve a cover spot.  [WSU Football Blog]

*Jake Rodrigues gained a ton of love over the past few months from the Pac-12 after an impressive Nike camp.  However, after a trip to Eugene over the long weekend, it appears that his mind is made up.  [Examiner]

*UCLA fans, tell us how you really feel about USC’s failed sanctions appeal [Bruins Nation]

*Former Washington State quarterback Ryan Leaf underwent brain surgery over the weekend to remove a brain tumor.  Here’s to a speedy recovery! [Great Falls Tribune]