I'm neither a half-full or half-empty guy. I just see bourbon ... sweet, scorching, precious bourbon... and ponder the ticks 'til five o'clock.

• Congrats to Austin Seferian-Jenkins, this week's John Mackey Tight End of the Week.
• Jack Follman of Pacific Takes has his take on Bowl Predictions. Hint, he's got UW in the desert.
• Shaq Thompson was allowed to speak to the media for the first time this week. Not surprising, there are a few items out there of interest. First, a report from the SacBee that notes, among other things, that Shaq's reception on his return-home trip was met by a jeering and unappreciative crowd. Bob Condotta has his own take on the hybrid role that Shaq finds himself defining on the club.
• Lots of Utah / UW preview stuff out there today. Here is a look at the game from CBS Sports.
• The News Trib also has a game preview with lots of notes.
• Kevin Gemmell takes a look at how UW will deal with Utah's Special Teams phenom, Reggie Dunn. Interesting quotes from Sark, who has known Dunn for a long time, in this piece.
• JazzyUte, who runs a very Berkowitz-like blog over at Block U, says that the Utes are still thinking Bowl Game and starting to put together a late run ... just like last year.
• The Desert News has a Q&A with Husky Fan extraordinaire, Chris Fetters.
• Our recruiting updates have been a little light this year (ahem, KirkD!), but some of our current recruits are really cruising right now. Here is a weekly update from Mason Kelley which highlights, among other things, how awesome Troy Williams is ($).
• Been wondering what has been going on with Jake Heaps (how we would have loved to have him right now, eh?)? Well, even if you weren't, here is an interesting update. Jake is biding his time and getting ready to take over Charie Weis's pro-style offense next year.
• This is about the time of year that rumblings about coaching changes being to surface. In fact, we already know of at least one coach who will not be returning next year. ESPN's Travis Haney provides an exhaustive list of names - both new and old - that are sure to be on the radar for open positions ($). You might recognize a name or two.
• Oh, and no coaching discussion can be had without at least a passing reference to the Cougs. Bud Withers has this blog post on his take regarding the eruption of Mt. Leach.
• Regarding Men's BBall, the news has already circulated that Shawn Kemp Jr. has suffered a significant knee injury and will miss the start of the season. This is a blow to Romar, to be sure, but it opens up a little more playing time for both Martin Bruenig and Jernard Jarreau - both players who probably have more upside in the long run. There might be some growing pains, but I'm excited to see what those two, along with Desmond Simmons, can do with the job.
• Here is some comments from JJ on the situation courtesy Percy Allen:
  
• Posted on SI.com is this AP piece that previews the Men's BBall team and their focus on trying to move on from the sting of being the first major conference team to win it's conference but miss the NCAAs. Some good quotes in there.
• Finally, a little women's soccer. The Lady Dawgs, despite struggling for much of this season, have been selected to compete in the NCAA Tournament and open against Auburn this Friday. Could there be a little 2010 magic in store? Go Dawgs!