A GRIP ON SPORTS • It is going to be an odd weekend ahead. No, we’re not talking about the weather, though it looks a little like Chicago in January around Spokane this morning. We’re looking at a college football schedule that is not only light on games but light on decent matchups as well. At least there is golf.
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• Did we say odd? If you want odd, just point your browser to Masters.com right now. You’ll see golf being played at Augusta National. But you really won’t be watching “The Masters.” In this coronavirus-decimated year, “a tradition unlike any other” has been ripped from us as well.
The Masters is about Augusta. A fast, long, challenging golf course. It’s about the fans, or patrons as they are known in Georgia, and their full-throated roars. It’s about the first blush of spring, the azaleas, the perfect greens, the first long days of the year.
None of that is present in 2020. The Masters has a look and feel that’s whispers more John Deere Classic than major championships.
The course is different, part of which (such as the unusual mottled-looking grain of the greens) can be attributed to the autumn date, part of which (the lack of firmness in fairways and greens) can be attributed to yesterday morning’s downpour.
No matter why, Augusta National is playing less like itself and more like Sherwood Country Club. And the players are taking advantage, firing at pins, watching balls that would have rolled into hazards stick to their spot, playing with a confidence usually absent in Augusta.
Odd, isn’t it? And when they hit a spectacular shot, the roars that usually accompany such things are absent. COVID-19 has taken the tournament’s signature sound away. Instead of roars, we hear subdued claps. It’s jarring.
So are the colors. No blazing flowers. Instead of the spirit of youth, as Shakespeare once attributed to spring, we are being treated with the hush before winter, as the French say. It may have its beauty, but it doesn’t hold the promise of April.
Neither does this most unusual of all Masters.
• Saturday’s college football schedule held a little more promise this week until cancellations began to sprout throughout the country.
Now it’s Friday and we’re still not sure how many games will be played in the Pac-12 and elsewhere. We do, however, know there are no matchups of top 25 teams scheduled.
Maybe the best chance for a thrilling matchup comes from one of the better teams hitting the road to face an underrated challenger. Add in the game comes a week after a big showdown and who knows what might happen.
Second-ranked Notre Dame (7-0), fresh off an overtime win over then-No. 1 Clemson, travels to Boston College (12:30 p.m., ABC), in what could be a lot closer than the almost two-touchdown spread. The Eagles are 5-3 and have played even better than that.
Other than that, though, the best chance for an upset might be in Florida, where the Gators follow up their win over Georgia by hosting Arkansas (4 p.m., ESPN). Sixth-ranked Florida is a 17-point favorite, but the Razorbacks have covered every game this season. Maybe they will do more than cover tomorrow.
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WSU: The Cougars covered in their opener, in more ways than one. They’ll have to do it well in the secondary against Oregon to keep their fans happy who like to wager. And the offensive line, led by Abe Lucas, will have to keep Jayden de Laura upright to ensure the latter. Theo Lawson writes about the best matchup up front this morning. … The Apple Cup in a couple weeks will kick off at 7:30 on ESPN. Theo has more on that as well. … The Pac-12 held its basketball media day yesterday and Theo share the news Washington State was picked to finish 11th. He also delves into Kyle Smith’s hopes for this season. … Oregon is focused on de Laura, though the Ducks are also looking at the weather report. … Theo helped fill in The Oregonian concerning the Cougars. … Around the Pac-12 and college sports, for lots of people, it is not about who will win, but by how much. If you are one of those people, here is some help. … Washington is finally getting underway this season. The Huskies have some new faces they need to see play well. … For UW to handle Oregon State, it will have to handle Jermar Jefferson. The Beavers are dealing with a COVID-19 case. … Will California play this week? No it won’t. The game was canceled this morning. Arizona State, its opponent, is having its troubles as well. … Stanford was without a few players last week. They should be back against Colorado. And the Pac-12 apologized this morning because they shouldn’t have missed last week either. … Everyone seemed to miss UCLA’s Dorian Thompson-Robinson last week. Utah is not going to let that happen. If the game is played. … The Bruins are counting on a player who is back this week. … USC has contingency plans in place. … In basketball news, Washington has a new look this season. … So will Oregon and Oregon State. … Colorado has something to prove. … Arizona is a bit surprised about being picked sixth. Pleasantly surprised. The opposite could be said about USC. … Utah is suing Fresno State over a canceled game. … UCLA is the Pac-12 favorite. … Arizona State’s best player is happy he came back. … Finally, Larry Scott is still dealing with a poor public perception.
Gonzaga: We probably should have compared how odd the Masters feels with how odd the Kraziness in the Kennel felt last night. Birds of a feather and all that. The televised celebration of the top-ranked Zags (second in the USA Today coaches’ poll) was nothing like typical, other than GU has a ton of talent once again. Jim Meehan has more in this story. Our succinct thoughts: The Bulldogs will be exceptional come March, if everyone stays healthy. The youngsters won’t be youngsters by then and the Zags will be a legitimate threat to win their first national title. Nothing limb-shaking about that view, I know. … The women signed two more recruits yesterday, giving them three with the hope of one more today. Jim Allen has more in this story. … Elsewhere in the WCC, BYU’s nonconference schedule will challenge the Cougars.
EWU: The Big Sky also held a virtual media day yesterday. Ryan Collingwood attended (virtually) and has this story.
Preps: Football playoffs continue in Idaho tonight. The top game features the 5A ranks’ top team, Coeur d’Alene, traveling to Rocky Mountain. Dave Nichols has a preview of all the local games.
Seahawks: There is a lot to watch against the Rams but none more important that who Seattle actually puts on the field. … Center Ethan Pocic is one of those guys. … The Hawks will feature a couple of newish defensive linemen this week. Can they help Pete Carroll figure out Sean McVay? … Russell Wilson is all in with DK Metcalf.
Mariners: Would you like a reminiscence concerning Dave Niehaus? Yes, please. … Oft-injured pitcher Sam Carlson is ready to show what he can do.
Sounders: Brian Schmetzer has been successful as Seattle’s coach. Really successful. But his contract is running out. Why is that?
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• Last spring the Ivy League led the way, canceling its basketball season before just about everyone else. Will the league lead the way again this year after canceling this season before it even began? Probably not. There is too much money involved. … Here is a late addition to the column this morning. The part of the S-R website which I rely on to post this column shut down just as I was finishing up this morning. That’s why this appeared so late. Until later …
The Link LonkNovember 14, 2020 at 12:29AM
https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2020/nov/13/grip-sports-weekend-ahead-little-light-big-college/
A Grip on Sports: The weekend ahead is a little light on big college football matchups, but it's unusually heavy on major golf - The Spokesman-Review
https://news.google.com/search?q=little&hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en
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