THE CHEAP SEATS with STEVE CAMERON: Maybe Mariners are better off without Kelenic

They’re having fun.

They’re going great.

Is there a better way to open a “Notes and Quotes” column for this sunny Friday?

It’s common knowledge by now that Wazzu and Oregon State delivered a hammer blow to the Fleeing-10 in Colfax on Monday.

Whitman County Superior Court Judge Gary Libey not only granted a restraining order to prevent the Pac-12 from doing any business without unanimous consent, he managed to toss out some great laugh lines on the way.

My favorite came when an attorney for the conference noted that commissioner George Kliavkoff was “ … in a difficult position.”

Judge Libey interrupted to say: “Actually, he’s in Montana.”

(Rim shot!!)

Let’s see, next up on “America Loves the Cougs and Beavs Tour” would be an item courtesy of Barstool Wazzu, which noted that WSU quarterback Cam Ward and superstar entertainer Taylor Swift are “quietly hanging out.”

That scoop was surely a gag, since some showbiz magazine had just used the exact same “quietly hanging out” description for a “maybe” relationship hit involving Swift and Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.

But, hey, why NOT Ward and Taylor Swift?

Wazzu is rocking.

FYI, the Cougs are doing it in actual competition, too, as they are one of only three schools with top-25 teams in football, soccer and volleyball.

Cue the fight song!

ITEM: Maybe the Mariners’ fortunes in this nervy AL West pennant race come down to Jarred Kelenic.

As in, keeping him away from the field.

Remember, Kelenic was hitting .252 with 11 homers and 45 RBIs in 90 games prior to fracturing his left foot on July 19, when he kicked a water cooler following a ninth-inning strikeout during a loss to Minnesota.

It’s worth noting that Kelenic was among MLB leaders in strikeouts when he hurt himself, and he’d only hit one home run in a month.

The Mariners couldn’t exactly replace Kelenic with a .400 hitter to turn things around.

Still, they added Josh Rojas and Dom Canzone via trade, pushed Mike Ford into some DH spots, and used both Dylan Moore and Cade Marlowe in the outfield.

No one in that group was absolutely raking, but each got big hits in crucial spots, and somehow, it all just worked.

With Kelenic out of the lineup, Seattle went 32-16 through this past Monday, when Jarred was reinstated to the active roster — and he went straight into the lineup.

Along with striking out with the bases loaded, score tied and nobody out in the ninth inning (helping lead to an 11-inning, 8-5 loss to the Angels), Kelenic also fouled a ball off his OTHER foot.

He sat out the next two games, which the Mariners won to jump back into one of the AL wild-card spots.

Adding it up, the M’s are 47-49 with Kelenic healthy, and 34-16 without him.

Maybe it’s a coincidence.

Yeah, maybe.

ITEM: Let’s say we’re willing to write off the Seahawks’ 30-13 thrashing at the hands of the Rams last weekend.

As Bobby Wagner quickly pointed out: “It’s only one game.”

True enough, but the offensive line is a mess, with right tackle Abe Lucas hitting injured reserve with a long-term knee issue.

Pete Carroll claims that left tackle Charles Cross is “day-to-day” with a sprained toe, which doesn’t mean anything definitive — but does remind me of a great line from former ESPN voice Keith Olbermann.

Repeating that same “day-to-day” line offered by a team about some important player, Olbermann then noted: “We are ALL day to day!”

Meanwhile, back at the Seahawks’ camp in Renton, Carroll may accidentally be in a position to coach a string of games that he’s always claimed to like — close, low-scoring, decided in the fourth quarter.

The Hawks’ defense figures to get much better with the addition of top draft pick Devon Witherspoon and safety Jamal Adams (who is practicing full speed after a year-long rehab from surgery).

Unfortunately, questions with the offensive line mean that Geno Smith isn’t likely to stay entirely clean while looking for targets.

That’s really a shame, since first-rounder Jaxon Smith-Njigba has looked terrific.

With DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett and a trio of good tight ends running patterns, Seattle could have an explosive offense — but not without talent and continuity across the front line.

This might be a good time to remind you again about the Hawks’ brutal schedule.

We’ll get a taste of it Sunday in Detroit, where the rebuilt Lions fancy themselves to win the NFC North.

If you want to go with Wagner’s dismissal of the Rams game and feel some confidence, there’s the fact that Carroll has an amazing record of fixing teams on the fly and making them competitive.

Go ahead and have faith.

But don’t bet the mortgage money.

ITEM: I’m wondering if BYU hoops coach Mark Pope plans to have a babysitter staying full-time with newcomer Marcus Adams Jr.

Maybe handcuffed to the guy.

Adams, as they say in the legal community, must be considered a flight risk.

This is the 6-8 shooter from southern California who signed with Kansas, spent a couple months on campus (just hanging out with the team) and decided Lawrence wasn’t a good fit for him.

Next, he signed with Gonzaga in what appeared to be a surprising bonus for Mark Few — although the Zags appear to be loaded at Adams’ position.

But THAT stay only lasted a month or so, and Marcus hit the road again.

He’s now at BYU, and maybe he’ll be a star.

Or not.

How many players bail out on Kansas and Gonzaga in one summer?

Let’s see how long Pope can keep him in Provo.

I’m guessing he winds up at, oh, maybe Cal State Bakersfield.

Why not?

Email: [email protected]

Steve Cameron’s “Cheap Seats” columns appear in The Press four times each week, normally Tuesday through Friday unless, you know, stuff happens.

Steve suggests you take his opinions in the spirit of a Jimmy Buffett song: “Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On.”