HOT COUGAR ACTION: Chima Nwachukwu Is Smarter Than You

In case you had forgotten, here's your daily reminder that Chima Nwachukwu is smarter than you. 

Although the (still somehow) starting safety doesn't much like to hit anyone, doesn't run fast and frankly just isn't a very good football player, he's still being recognized for his efforts off the field, as he is one of five Pac-10 players to be named a finalist for the Academic Heisman. Good for him.

Other item of note: Paul Wulff and Co. picked up their 16th known verbal commitment in Tana Pritchard of Clover Park High School. Recognize the name? He's the brother of Tavita Pritchard, former Stanford quarterback, which also means he's the cousin of Jack Thompson, former WSU quarterback. Although Tana Pritchard plays quarterback right now, Cougfan.com says he projects to linebacker.

Maybe all those people who whined about letting Tavita Pritchard get away when he was a below average quarterback who fluked his way into a win over top-ranked USC can finally now let it go -- we got his brother!

On to the rest of the links.

WSU News

WSU done in Pullman, heads for LA tomorrow - SportsLink - Spokesman.com - Sept. 30, 2010
Football coach Paul Wulff held his usual Thursday afternoon conference call and talked about subjects as varied as preparing for a UCLA team that might be without its starting quarterback – saying you prepare for concepts – to recruiting – coordinator Rich Rasmussen is already in Los Angeles.

WSU's Karstetter jumps through hoops to improve - Spokesman.com - Sept. 30, 2010
Karstetter is showing some skills NFL teams covet. Size, strength, the ability to go get a pass and make a big play.

Uplifting fan part of Bombers' family - Winnipeg Sun
Alex Brink has yet to start his first CFL game or record any meaningful stats, but that doesn't mean he hasn't registered a victory. Actually, it's a victory the backup quarterback shares with all his Blue Bomber teammates, one that means far more than anything recorded in the league standings. Brink and the Bombers have given 20-year-old Winnipegger David Leitch a reason to live, something Leitch didn't think he had two years ago. (h/t TiltingRight)

Soccer, Swimming, Volleyball and Rowing Teams to Honor National Breast Cancer Awareness Month - WASHINGTON STATE OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE

Pac-10 News

Inside The Pac-10: Where Oregon Is 'Boardwalk Empire' West - SBNation.com
It's easier than you might think to compare Pac-10 football programs to the new fall TV lineup of shows. Find out why the Stanford Cardinal reminds us of 'Hawaii Five-0.'

Pac-10 football: Picks of the Week | College Hotline
WASHINGTON STATE (plus-28) at UCLA: I’ll dock the Bruins two touchdowns for the letdown factor following the win at Texas, and their reliance on the run will shorten the game/limit possessions, providing WSU with a chance to keep it close. And there’s also the small matter of Kevin Prince not being healthy. (Again.) Pick: Washington State.

College Football Buffet, Week 5: Florida Vs. Alabama, Stanford Vs. Oregon Are Must-Eats - SBNation.com
A preview of the college football weekend ahead, which is lead by two marque match-ups: Florida vs. Alabama and Stanford vs. Oregon.