This week’s 20-unit curriculum is dedicated to the Washington Huskies, who still have nearly three weeks to focus on football before the fall term begins on Sept. 30.
FOUR-UNIT COURSES
Psychophysiology of Emotion -- There’s no need to go over the blow-by-blow of last week’s boondoggle in Boise. In an attempt to salvage what’s left, Oregon needs to first understand how its physiological and psychological natures can find a better balance. This ain’t basket-weaving or ballroom dancing. These sorts of classes aren’t popular with the footballers, but this is a special situation and now it’s a required course. Never before has so much been lost in just the flash of a fist.
Health Services: Preventive Medicine -- Oklahoma needs to find its rhythm with freshman quarterback Landry Jones at the controls. The Sooners also have to find a replacement for All-America tight end Jermaine Gresham. However, the most important thing at this point is to stop the bleeding. Apply pressure and make it stop. There’s no way to undo the separation within Sam Bradford’s golden throwing shoulder or the cartilage damage to Greshan’s right knee, but they’ve got to do everything possible to keep the rest of team in the lineup. Pass out the knee braces and start picking up the blitzes.
Gerontology: Physiology of Adult Development -- Arizona State linebacker Mike Nixon is more than a senior. At 26-years-old, he’s a senior citizen among his Sun Devil teammates. That didn’t stop the former minor league baseball player from intercepting three passes, blocking a punt and scoring a touchdown in ASU’s 50-3 victory over Idaho State last Saturday night. None of this is anything new for the 6-foot-3, 225-pounder (yes, he was a catcher) from Phoenix. Nixon, who has played all three linebacker positions for the Sun Devils, had five interceptions last season, tying for most in the Pac-10.
Overseas Study Program -- On Thursday, Hawaii landed in Seattle in preparation for Saturday’s game at Qwest Field versus Washington State. It was the first of 11 consecutive days on the Mainland for these road Warriors. After playing the Cougars, the Hawaii traveling party will remain on the continent, relocating to Las Vegas, where they’ll set up camp in anticipation of their game at UNLV on Sept. 19. A week in Vegas . . . without school? Talk about something to sell recruits. Wow!
TWO-UNIT COURSES
Cinema: Film Direction -- USC, home to the most prestigious film school in the world, welcomed acclaimed filmmaker Spike Lee to its campus on Wednesday. But his main objective wasn’t to share any knowledge with cinema students. Instead, Lee was there to speak to the Trojan football team at their afternoon team meeting. He discussed the finer points of . . . well . . . I have no idea. Maybe if Rutgers can ever establish some consistency, Lee can stay back east.
Modern Naval History (2009-2013) -- You always need a course like this to balance out the tough ones. It seems intimidating because it deals with future events, but don’t worry. Due to a deal reached with the Emerald Bowl on Thursday, the Midshipmen already know where they’ll go bowling if eligible. Here’s the cheat-sheet: 2009 Texas Bowl, 2010 Poinsettia Bowl, 2011 EagleBank Bowl, 2012 Emerald Bowl and 2013 Armed Services Bowl. Kind of takes some fun out of it, but certainly helps with making travel arrangements.