1. Cal hired Sonny Dykes as its head coach in part because of what his spread offense created at Louisiana Tech. Midway through August workouts, the changes are beginning to show in Berkeley. Freshman Khalfani Muhammad, just the third two-time California high school champion in the 100 and 200 meters, got behind the defense for a 59-yard touchdown pass in a scrimmage this week. If Cal finds a deep threat to pair with running back Brendan Bigelow, Dykes’ rehabilitation of the Bears will be fast.
2. Wisconsin coach Gary Andersen has given no indication that he is close to naming his starting quarterback. Sophomore Joel Stave gave Badgers fans a reason to exhale earlier this week when he completed a 65-yard touchdown pass. Andersen digs the long ball. Sixth-year senior Curt Phillips has been solid in August as well. Stave started last season until he broke his collarbone. Look for Andersen to make an announcement as early as next week.
3. Washington has been ravaged by injuries the last few years, so in the offseason, Huskies coach Steve Sarkisian decided to revamp summer workouts and how the team practiced the first two weeks of the season. The result? Only one major injury, a freak event in which the player’s hand got caught under a body and resulted in a broken finger. Unfortunately, the player is preseason All-American tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins.