Gabe Marks returns to practice as Cougs prep for Sun Bowl

Alright, so it's finals week and there's not a lot going on in regards to Washington State Cougars athletics, but here I am, in charge of delivering some Hot Cougar Action, and that's what I intend to do.

The hottest of action happened on the football field last night when some guy named Gabriel Marks took the turf for the first time since that rivalry game occurred in Seattle last month. Marks, who suffered an apparent lower leg injury in the Apple Cup, was declared severely injured two weeks ago by an NFL Draft insider, but that was never the case.

For what it's worth, I'm hearing Marks is still up in the air regarding his NFL Draft status and that a decision will come after the bowl game. The deadline to declare for the NFL Draft is January 18.

According to John Gunther of The World newspaper, Zach Inskeep, a huge switch-hitting backstop out of North Bend, Oregon, has committed to Washington State and is expected to enroll in June. We're talking baseball here.

Back to football, and since I've been handed the controls for today's links, I'm going to plug our CougCenter Big Board, which is something you should read if you're into the whole recruiting football players thing.

Inside the big board you'll find that Washington State is in the mix for a four-star defensive end, who is down to Arizona (whom he previously de-committed from) and Washington State with visits to each school set up for next month.

Anyway, that's about as much hot action as you or I can handle during last day of finals. If you're a student, good luck. If you're not, get to work.

Go Cougs!

Football

VIDEO: Football Practice Recap — December 17 | WSU Cougars University Official Athletic Site
Matt Chazanow talks to Mike Leach, Luke Falk and Jeremiah Allison, as the Cougars begin preparation for the Miami Hurricanes in the Hyundai Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas.

Cougars prepare for Miami's team speed in Sun Bowl | The Spokesman Review
Amid all the recent turmoil in the Miami football program, one thing is constant.

The complicated case of the Pac-12 Networks | Sports Business Journal
The Pac-12 Networks' first three years have been defined by distribution difficulties and revenue shortcomings that have conference leaders wondering whether they should stick with the unusual structure of one national channel and six regional channels. Within the last few weeks, conference at    

WSU turned corner with first-year defensive coordinator Alex Grinch | The Spokesman Review
Washington State's defense was better in 2015 than it was in 2014, and the reason for its improvement under first-year defensive coordinator Alex Grinch have been expounded upon at length by Cougars coach Mike Leach and his players.

Basketball

Cougars Conclude Non-conference Home Action Friday | Washington State University Official Athletic Site
Washington State returns to the hardwood today against Texas State. It's the final non-conference home game of the year.