Pac-12 Notebook: Conference networks launch will transform underpublicized league

Here are some Pac-12 links to catch up on news and notes from around the conference:

At 6 p.m. Wednesday (PST), the Pac-12 Conference will turn on its much-anticipated television networks and instantaneously transform the viewing experience for fans of a league that has long wallowed in the broadcasting shadows. Unprecedented in scope, complexity and control of the content, the San Francisco-based networks are the master stroke of commissioner Larry Scott, Jon Wilner of the San Jose Mercury News reported.
Arizona running backs coach Calvin Magee can spot a special running back in the dark. He believes the light will soon shine on sophomore Ka'Deem Carey, Greg Hansen of the Arizona Daily Star reported.
Arizona State boosters and alumni always have been quick to criticize the football program for straying from its roots. That same base has been notoriously slow in reaching for its checkbooks to maintain those roots, but when the school called them on it, the base came up with the necessary money to fund a return to the program’s old training site at Camp Tontozona, Bob Young of the Arizona Republic reported.
Former ASU linebacker Vontaze Burfict went undrafted last April after unfulfilled promise and some well-publicized issues. But Cincinnati Bengals coach Marvin Lewis told ESPN.com that Burfict is a future starter in the NFL.
Colorado defensive back Sherrard Harrington was instrumental in helping coaches land three players from his Washington D.C. high school in the 2012 recruiting class. A week into training camp, it's looking like two of those true freshman could earn their first college playing time before Harrington does as he rehabs from hip and pelvis injuries that forced him to redshirt last season, Kyle Ringo of the Daily Camera (Boulder, Colo.) reported.
For all of the recruiting Oregon has done at the wide receiver position in recent years, the pair joining incumbent starter Josh Huff in the starting lineup could very well be a former junior college transfer and a converted quarterback. Ducks Rahsaan Vaughn and Daryle Hawkins are making strong cases for increased roles, Aaron Fentress of the Oregonian reported.
Lost in the shuffle of chatter about true freshman Chris Brown’s chances and Malcolm Agnew’s health is this fact: Through seven days of practice at Oregon State, it is sophomore Terron Ward who is taking the majority of snaps with the first team.
Coach Mike Riley told Lindsay Schnell of the Oregonian not to read too much into it.
UCLA’s Damien Holmes is out of the defensive line trenches and roaming the wide open spaces at linebacker. It seems to be a change that suits him, David Lassen of the Press-Enterprise (Riverside, Calif.) reported.
Heading into his redshirt sophomore season, USC linebacker Hayes Pullard is one of the young leaders on what should be an improved Trojans defense, even if he doesn’t view himself that way, Michael Lev of the Orange County Register reported.
With the name on the back of his jersey, Utah freshman Jason Whittingham wanted to prove he’d earned his spot on the Utes’ roster and wasn’t given a scholarship out of the generosity of his uncle, who just happens to be Utes coach Kyle Whittingham. Not only has he proved his worth, the 6-foot-2, 240-pound freshman is competing for a starting role, Lya Wodraska of the Salt Lake Tribune reported.
Is Washington’s schedule really the toughest in the nation or is the mere presence of LSU skewing everyone’s perspective? Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times examined the question.
Washington State’s players cite differences in Mike Leach’s approach when comparing him to former coach Paul Wulff, but the biggest difference may be simple: Leach’s name and resume carry weight and demand instant respect, Bud Withers of the Seattle Times wrote.