THE CHEAP SEATS with STEVE CAMERON: Zags' big week, and time for Dickert to lose the interim tag

It’s time we got around to some notes and quotes, kids.

The only way to start is by staring at that Gonzaga schedule, and wondering if the lads will still hold a No. 1 ranking a week from now.

The Zags are off to Vegas, and not to try the slot machines.

They play Central Michigan on Monday evening (the Chippewas are 1-2), then face second-ranked UCLA about 24 hours later in the game everyone wants to see.

Finally, they wrap up Thanksgiving week, still in Las Vegas, with a bout against unbeaten No. 7 Duke on Friday.

Hardly any turkeys on that menu.

Mark Few keeps saying his 4-0 team hasn’t yet jelled with so many newcomers on board, so this week will provide a stern test to check out exactly where they are on the development curve.

And make no mistake: UCLA (with all five starters back) wants this game to get some serious revenge against the Zags — after losing to Jalen Suggs’ 40-foot heave in last year’s Final Four semifinal.

Duke will be trying for a signature win in its last season with legendary coach Mike Krzyzewski on the bench.

It will be fascinating to see how these powerhouse teams choose to guard Drew Timme.

Texas mostly went without double-teaming the Zags’ post star most of the night, and gave up 37 points.

Expect to see a lot more bodies in the lane this week.

ITEM: Talk about a serious audition…

Washington State interim football coach Jake Dickert wants the full-time gig, and so far he’s done everything right to earn it.

AD Pat Chun, though, is conducting a national search, and he’s already had preliminary talks with far more experienced coaches.

Dickert is seeking his first head coaching position.

In fact, the Dickert family has moved eight times in nine years as Jake, the defensive coordinator at Wyoming before he took the same job under now-deposed Nick Rolovich, has followed his dream.

By the way, Dickert wore an interesting shirt during his regular Monday media availability.

Right on the front, accompanied only by the Wazzu logo, were the words: “CODE COUGS.”

Naturally, Jake was asked about it, and he said it represented the philosophy that had developed inside the program: “Play Hard, Play Fast and Play Together.”

So far, we haven’t seen a thing to suggest Dickert isn’t the man to lead the Cougar program down the road, but a victory in this Friday’s Apple Cup would give Chun almost no choice.

The Cougs have not taken home the apples since 2012.

This latest edition of the cross-state rivalry kicks off in Seattle on Friday.

ITEM: It’s now or never for the Seahawks, who entertain Arizona this afternoon.

There’s no law that says Russell Wilson, somewhere between ordinary and awful last week in that 17-0 loss at Green Bay, will return to magic Russ.

He played last week with some covering on the middle finger of his right hand — about a week after having a pin removed — and he was as inaccurate as Russ ever gets.

Oh, and the offensive line gave him almost no help.

On top of those woes, lead running back Chris Carson now needs neck surgery and will miss the rest of the season.

There’s more …

Safety Jamal Adams and corner J.R. Reed are both listed as questionable, and the Seahawks say they will be gametime decisions.

The Cardinals have had their own injury problems, and they sound just as serious.

Star receiver DeAndre Hopkins has been ruled out, and QB Kyler Murray is questionable as he tries to shake off an ankle problem.

Arizona’s top running back, Chase Edmonds, has gone the way of Chris Carson — on injured reserve and definitely out.

Safety Budda Baker is also questionable.

Today’s match is critical for both teams (Cards lead the NFC West at 8-2, just a game ahead of the Rams, with Seattle sitting at 3-6 and fighting to remain relevant).

This one might be decided by backups.

At least it should be interesting.

Email: scameron@cdapress.com

Steve Cameron’s “Cheap Seats” columns appear in The Press on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

He also writes Zags Tracker, a commentary on Gonzaga basketball that is published weekly during the season.