Feb, 9, 2013; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks forward Carlos Emory (33) dribbles around Utah Utes guard Cedric Martin (43) at Matthew Knight Arena. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports

There are quite a few Pac 12 mentions in this edition of Linked Up. We’ll start with a podcast from the Pac 12.  They break down some of the teams that could be ‘dancing’ in the conference next month. I think one is a lock. ESPN looks at the Pac 12 as the Crazy Uncle in the family, when it comes to March.

Oregon Baseball kicks off on Friday and Comcast Sportsnet has a preview of the Ducks as they kickoff 2013 in Honolulu. If your looking for a breakdown of the team, look no further than Addicted to Quack. Thus far it’s in two parts. Pitching, and Hitting. I like that, keeping it simple.

Finally, the Eugene Daily Emerald offers up 5 Reasons To Look Forward to Oregon Baseball.

Onto football and another waaaaaaay early Top prediction for 2013. Bruce Feldman from CBS has released his Top 10 list, which includes Oregon, but one team is ahead of them and he thinks they may have the best shot at beating Alabama in 2013.

In other Pac 12 News, a clothing outlet has been endorsed by a NCAA Football coach, kinda. I believe it’s a little tongue in cheek, but amusing none the less. Now if only they could get the Duck to model for say….Abercrombie. Speaking of Arizona, they like to send Valentines to show they care. Awwww. so sweet.

We all remember the Oregon Duck and his Gangham Style video...in case you don’t…he’s at it again!

In other news, comedian Will Ferrell has a new job, Security at The Staples Center, looks like Shaq got into some trouble. Oh, and someone who used to play in the NBA is turning 50. I’ll give you a hint. His initials are MJ. Michael Jordan will be on the SI cover, for the…50th time. He, of course, also made the list for the Top 10 Slam Dunks…ever

More Links:

Oregon Football: (Audio) Getting to Know Coach Mark Helfrich

Zone Read AM: Defensive pressure the key to a Ducks win over Washington tonight, indoor track and field remains in the top 10, Daily Emerald

OREGON BASKETBALL ANALYSIS: HOW ARSALAN KAZEMI’S DIRTY WORK ON DEFENSE PAYS BIG DIVIDENDS, FishDuck.com

Dawgs’ reservoir is bone dry in must-win rematch with Ducks, Bob Clark, Register Guard

that’s all for today. Don’t forget to check out AutzenZoo.com for the very latest and follow us on Facebook and Twitter

Sept. 1, 2012; Tucson, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats head coach Rich Rodriguez reacts after beating the Toledo Rockets 24-17 in overtime at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-US PRESSWIRE

That would end up being a rare highlight for the former West Virginia head coach. The Wolverines dropped five straight after the upset, including an awful 13-10 loss at home against Toledo who only finished with three wins on the season. Ironically, that’s all Rodriguez would finish with that season as well, only mustering a victory against a bad Minnesota team in Big Ten play.

Now with a fresh start at Arizona, Rodriguez had another opener that was just as exciting when he faced the Utes – except this time, his team held on to a victory. His offense came to life against Oklahoma State, scoring 37 of their 59 points in an upset. Compare that to his entire first season with Michigan, where they failed to score more than 29 points in a game except for a 48-42 loss to Purdue.

It’s the key difference between how things started for Rodriguez at both schools – he didn’t have a quarterback to implement the offense he had with the Mountaineers. Instead of rotating quarterbacks, he’s been able to adapt senior QB Matt Scott after the redshirt season a year ago. In 2010, Scott played in seven games and completed 71 percent of his passes for 776 yards and four touchdowns. In three games this season, Scott’s at the same percentage with 995 yards and seven touchdowns.

Of course, Scott showed his running ability picking up over 100 yards on 35 carries in 2010 – he’s already in top form with 42 carries and 190 yards with two more touchdowns. Rodriguez saw the potential in him and it’s worked out perfectly to start.

Now, Rodriguez faces another top-ranked team in his fourth game with a new team. Oregon provides the same running attack that he saw against Wisconsin – except the athleticism of new quarterback Marcus Mariota and Heisman candidate De’Anthony Thomas wasn’t on that team. In fact, his Arizona team might be facing a tougher version of themselves on Saturday night.

Brian Spaen is the lead editor for Autzen Zoo. See his banter with other FanSided writers and love for his favorite west coast professional teams by following him on Twitter.

Read his other work on the Iowa State blog, Clones Confidential, and Lacrosse the Web.