SEATTLE — It has been a long week for college football.
Sports Illustrated is in the midst of printing a five-part series alleging multiple levels of corruption at Oklahoma State. Yahoo! Sports released a report alleging payments to multiple SEC players, including a standout who played for Alabama from 2009-12 and another who played for the Crimson Tide from 2007-10 and was labeled the go-between for agents and players.
The lesson for Washington, and other programs, is to learn what not to do.
Huskies head coach Steve Sarkisian said the key for him is to “educate” his players.
“It’s great to learn from others, unfortunately for them, but fortunately for us,” Sarkisian said. “We just try to educate our guys best we can. I sympathize with those programs and the stuff they are going through and the potential distractions it could cause for them, but, man, there’s so many temptations out there for these guys. I think that’s the biggest thing, to try to educate them.
“There’s so many temptations, that if they can just focus on playing good football, going to school, enjoying this experience, then they’ll be OK.”
Oklahoma State has launched a web site to refute allegations and assure everyone it’s looking into the accusations.
Alabama head coach Nick Saban held a press conference Wednesday during which he took three questions, all about the allegations regarding former offensive lineman D.J. Fluker, who reportedly received payments, and Luther Davis, the reported middle man.
Irritated, Saban cut the press conference short and on his way out said, “appreciate your interest in the game.”
The top-ranked Crimson Tide play at sixth-ranked Texas A&M on Saturday. A&M was the only team to beat the Tide last season.
Seferian-Jenkins ready to go
Washington’s preseason All-American tight end, Austin Seferian-Jenkins, said he is back up to speed with the No. 1 offense. Seferian-Jenkins used the bye week and practice this week to get back into shape after his conditioning level suffered a bit following a pinkie injury.
Asked about the finger this week, Seferian-Jenkins said it’s fine and has been for some time.
“It’s an afterthought, it doesn’t hurt,” he said. “Everyone over-played that. It’s just a pinkie.”
Homecoming for Sankey?
Washington running back Bishop Sankey was known for the running success he had at Gonzaga Prep in Spokane when he was in high school, but he spent a good chunk of his younger days in Ohio.
His mother, Julie Becker, lives and works in Cleveland. He’ll have a whole crew making its way up to Soldier Field in Chicago for Saturday afternoon’s game against Illinois.
“My mom, a few cousins, my grandparents, mostly from my mom’s side,” Sankey said. “It’s going to feel good. They don’t get a chance to make it clear across the country to a lot of games. I know that’s one thing they wish they could do more.”
Extra points
Saturday’s game will be televised on the Big Ten Network, which is Comcast channel 404 in Everett. … The Huskies flew out Thursday afternoon and will attend a movie together Friday after a walk-through.
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