Tailgate Talk revs up again for spring

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The dawn of spring means one thing: Only six months until football returns.

Before that, we get an appetizer as college football spring practices get under way. Over the next two months, Northwest football teams will break in new coaches, new players and treat fans to some live hitting in each program’s annual spring game.

Click here for a list of each Division I team’s first spring practice and spring game.

WASHINGTON

Spring practice starts: Tuesday.
Spring game: April 19.

Big issue to watch: Who will emerge as Washington’s starting quarterback in Chris Petersen’s first year? Keith Price graduated and his backup, Cyler Miles, is suspended indefinitely for his role in an alleged assault on Super Bowl Sunday. Jeff Lindquist and Troy Williams are leading the offense in practice and 2014 recruit K.J. Carta-Samuels will arrive this summer.

WASHINGTON STATE

Spring practice starts: March 27.
Spring game: April 26.

Big issue to watch: Can Washington State continue its upward trajectory? Mike Leach enters his third season and has a senior quarterback in Connor Halliday who is now comfortable in the Air Raid offense. From 3-9 in his first season, Leach led WSU to a 6-7 record and a bowl appearance last year. At Texas Tech, Leach went from 7-5 to 9-5 between his second and third years.

OREGON

Spring practice starts: April 1.
Spring game: May 3.

Big issue to watch: How will new defensive coordinator Don Pellum’s scheme might differ from Nick Alliotti’s? Also, will Oregon’s offseason efforts to becoming stronger and more physical keep it from getting pushed around by teams such as Stanford?

OREGON STATE

Spring practice starts: March 31.
Spring game: May 3.

Big issue to watch: How will Oregon State replace star receivers Brandin Cooks and Markus Wheaton? Also, will the offense achieve more pass-run balance under new offensive coordinator John Garrett?