WSU Cougar Football 2006

From Beginning to End

WSU Mascot "Butch T Cougar"  Crowned 2006
"Capital One National Mascot of the Year"!
Check it out at  Capital One.  Here is the web bio for "Butch T Cougar".  We always knew Butch was the best, now he's getting some national recognition, due in no small part to cougar faithful around the country, I'm sure.  Way to show your cougar spirit!  First the Space Needle, then the Nation.  Can the world be far behind?

WSU Basketball?  "Did you mean MSU?"
Everyone is jumping on the band wagon, now that the Cougars under first year coach Tony Bennett are surprising everyone and putting together an awesome season.  The fact that the last time WSU had a really good team was in 1983  is just scary.  That is so long ago that I was still a student and went to many of those games.  Remember Stuart House?  Didn't think so.  I do remember a really tall lanky guy that we used to chant for to try to get him into the game when the Cougars were blowing someone out.  He was awful as a young player.  But a lot of people don't know that that extremely tall young man?  Well he grew up to be an extremely tall older man not playing professional basketball...  That kind rags to rags story was the normal progression at WSU for basketball players for the past 20 years.  We had a high graduation rate because the players knew they were going to NEED that degree.   Well no more.  Tony Bennett and company have resurrected Cougar basketball and suddenly the "just like new" seats in the upper sections of  Friel court are being used for something besides tarp storage.  The victory over UW is just the latest in a procession of solid victories this season, a season that will probably land WSU in the NCAA tournament again.  Finally!  And the most exciting thing?  Only one starter (Avery Clark) is a senior.  Next year could be even more magical.

OK -  I just Googled "WSU Basketball Friel" To make sure I spelled "Friel" Correctly, and Google came back with "Did you mean MSU Basketball Friel?"  That just hurts.  That's probably because the last time the Cougars were in the NCAA tournament the public internet hadn't been invented yet.  Heck, the first Macintosh computer came out in 1984 and the Windows operating system was introduced in 1985.  Head coach Tony Bennett was 14, and some guy named Mark Rypien was the Cougar Quarterback.  Hopefully Tony Bennett  will remain the cougar basketball coach, and this is the first of many great seasons to come!

Want to hear some more intelligent commentary on WSU basketball?  Check out the official WSU Basketball website here. To hear a glowing report of the recent thrashing of the UW Huskies check out Steve Kelley's column here.  If you are a Cougar Basketball Fanatic, knowledgeable, and want the world to hear your views, email me here.  I would love covering WSU Basketball on this site.

First in line as WSU Defensive Coordinator? Larry Lewis.
Cougar fans that have great memories will remember him as another Mike Price protégé, working with Mike at Weber State, then becoming the assistant head coach in charge of defensive line and special teams.  For the last 7 years he was the head coach at Idaho State, doing well at first but fading in the past couple years.  He was fired from the Idaho State job November 20th.  With the Special teams and defensive challenges over the past couple years, having someone he trusts and knows at the helm might be a big boost for coach Doba.  He was part of the brain trust during the 1997 Rose Bowl season, and defensive line was impressive.  With seven years as a head coach under his belt at a smaller school, being the defensive coordinator at WSU might be the perfect move for him AND WSU.  It is only a rumor right now, but it sounds positive.  We loved Robb Akey, but WSU has been in the bottom half of the Pac-10 the past three years.  Shame you can't get someone like Dirk Koetter as the offensive coordinator.....

Shower and a Suit - Suddenly Robb Akey is the coach at Idaho.
It is not often that a defensive coordinator for a football gains the kind of notoriety that Robb Akey did at WSU.  His fiery spirit and sideline enthusiasm made him easy to find fan favorite on the sideline and a frequent cut-away for stations covering Cougar Football.  When I picture Akey it is easy picture him jumping in the air and shouting (Coach Doba? not so much).  When I have run into him at Cougar fundraisers he seemed very much like the kind of guy you would love to hang out an watch a game with.  So what's with the suit?  The Seattle Times announcement of his departure to Idaho includes a press picture of him in a coat and tie (Suddenly you notice the grey hair).  Robb suddenly looks the part.  Last year might have been Akey's best year of coaching ever, not withstanding the teams overall performance.  With decimating injuries on the defensive side of the ball Robb still managed to make WSU a defense that was respected if not feared.  Head coach is a big step for him, and we wish him all the best.

I don't know if there is someone on the current staff who can easily step into his shoes. Leon Burnett is the only name that even comes to mind.  He is current linebackers coach. 

Robb Akeys' defection only emphasizes the difficult situation that WSU finds itself in right now.  The past couple years of non-performance have exposed a Cougar program that is in disarray.  What seemed at the time like a great coaching change to keep our program at a high level (Promoting coach Doba) has instead turned into a painful death march of missed opportunities.  It always seems like victory is just beyond the grasp of this coaching staff. 

This change can be for the better if WSU can recruit a great replacement.  It should be easier to find a great defensive coach for WSU than it was to find a head Coach at Idaho.

Special Teams and Defense Cost WSU, UW wins 35-32
Hello?.... Is anybody there?  It's doubtful any Cougars will read this for a couple days, but some Huskies might.  The WSU Offense played better than expected against UW, unfortunately several big plays went against WSU, including a kick-off run back to the 10 yard line resulting in a touchdown and a blocked punt recovered for a touchdown.  The Cougars played catch up for most of the second half and never quite recovered.

The most twilight zone thing about this game was the WSU defense, which shut the Huskies down cold except for three plays - All three of which went for touchdowns of 60 yards or more. Then, like many games last year, when the Cougars needed one more drive at the end of the game to tie or win the offense came up short.  The Huskies are breathing a sigh of relief, and the Cougars are kicking their, well, dogs (watch out when you do that tonight, by the way) and trying to think of something else.  I think I'll join them.

2006 Apple Cup
Today's game is big, here are some great articles!  1 2 3 Looks like this is another one of those years where WSU is favored (we've been favored the past 6 years).  It would be interesting to know how many times over the years we've been favored and lost this game - its a big number.  They hurt much more than the years the Huskies are supposed to win and do.  It an irritating fact that when you are a Cougar and go to a bowl game, if you lost to the Huskies that loss nags you during the bowl game itself.  Kind of a "Yeah butt" feeling.  Lets go into our bowl game this year in style, completing the first three-peat in Cougar Apple Cup history, then get everyone healthy and kick some poor unsuspecting teams butt up and down the field just in time for Christmas.  When I read in the time lines like "WSU is sure to be aggressive to try to take the Huskies out early" I visualize first play interceptions for touchdowns and players over pursuing and leaving the back side open.  One thing I think we can count on from Willingham's Huskies is poise, even if Sweetman finishes the game at quarterback for UW. 

We won't have Hill or Jordan but we will have Bumpus (Kind of).  From what I am seeing today the Seattle media pundits have already given up on the Huskies and expect a big blow-out by WSU.  If it happens it would deal a death knell to Husky recruiting this year when added to recent "Tyrone" moves, something that would greatly benefit the Cougars and Oregon Schools.  If you are at the game send me pictures!  I'm stuck here in Boise for the duration.

WSU Getting Healthy on Defense in Time to Win the Apple Cup?
Saturdays game hopefully will be a low scoring affair with the Cougars coming out on top.  With all of the WSU  offensive injuries it is hard to believe the Cougars will be putting 30 or 40 points on the board.  It is imperative the Mkristo Bruce and company get to Bonnell early and often, to keep him out of a rhythm and force him into the trademark interceptions that have kept him from being a winning quarterback for the Huskies.  One big step in that direction is getting tackles Ropati Pitoitua and Feveae'i Ahmu back (and Aaron Johnson healthier).  Let me count.  Yup, I think we could even play a 4-3 once or twice.  Being able to switch between a 4-3 and 3-4 or at the very least keep our tackles fresh while Bonnell is behind center could make for a fun day on that side of the ball.  Watch for Mkristo Bruce to collect his highest sack total since the 5 he collected against Stanford.  Lord knows the offense will need as much time as they can get with no game breaking receivers on the field.

Everyone is talking about the Stanford game and picturing the Huskies playing like that on Saturday - it won't happen.  First, this is the Apple Cup.  The Huskies REALLY want to win it, no matter what they say about Oregon, especially those who won't be back next year.  Second, people seem to forget the 4-1 Huskies talking Rose Bowl earlier in the year, and almost beating Cal and USC.   Third, this is as close to a bowl game as those seniors will ever get.  For them this whole game is a goal line stand against total failure as players. Three-peat losers to the Cougars in the Apple Cup puts them in the Husky hall of fame for ever (Unless of course they lost again next year!).

On our side of the ball the Cougars will play much better than they did against Arizona and Arizona State.  They have had another week to figure out how to game plan without Hill and Bumpus, and the Huskies defense was suspect even when they were winning.  The Cougars have shown they are much tougher than last years group - they know how to play through injuries.  The Cougars should be able to score between 14 and 24 points, because of the Husky defense, and because they should get the ball many many times. If the cougars do well early the Huskies will collapse in the cold and start their own pity party (I can't wait), just don't let them score first or score on some stupid interception.

The Cougars are down to their third best wide receiver and their third choice at running back.  All you Alex Brink fans, get excited!  If Alex is as good as we would all like him to be he will take the team on his shoulders and carry them to victory on Saturday.  He will have to be razor sharp and avoid turning the ball over.  We've certainly seen him be that good.  We've seen him be "Carl Bonnell" bad as well.  Fortunately the better Alex Brink has been showing up for the Apple Cup.

Finally, Almost every Apple Cup ever played has hinged on one or two big breaks, normally an interception or fumble (1992's "Hey, why don't we use better cleats in the second half?" win to the contrary).  With back up receivers for the Cougs and backup quarterbacks for the Huskies this year that will mean more than ever.  Getting our defensive line back should make the difference here (Both teams would rather run the ball if they can), which is my main reason for believing the Cougars will win.  Sure, you knew I was going to pick the Cougs, but now you know why.  I'll go out on a limb (compared to past Apple cups this  is a HUGE cougar spread) and predict a 24-10 victory by the Cougar football nation.

Why WSU is a better football program than UW
If you are a High School student trying to choose between the two Washington schools let's get past the Seattle hype and REALLY compare the football programs. There is a perception (reinforced by the biased Northwest Sports Report)  that somehow  the University of Washington is a better football program than WSU and sadly, for many years that was true.  But let's take a look at recent history.  Let's compare 2001 though today: 

1.  Since the Huskies had their one great (lucky?) year (2000), they have NEVER finished higher in the Pac-10 standings than the WSU Cougars. 
2.  Since the beginning of 2001 they have NEVER finished with a better overall record than the Cougars. 
3.  Their last squeaker victory over the WSU Cougars in the Apple Cup was 2003 (remember disco?), and even that only came after our starting quarterback was put out of the game by a cheap shot.
4.  In 2004 the "Measly Mutts of Montlake" were so bad that they finished 0-8 in the Pac-10.  That year they went 1-11 on the season, and even lost to Fresno State.  There isn't even a state "of" Fresno - That's how small Fresno State is.  The Huskies only win that year was against powerhouse San Jose State (ibid). By the way, if you just thought "I bid what?" enroll at Washington.
5.  NONE of the Current Huskies has ever gone to a bowl game.  The UW graduating seniors will never go to a bowl game, because UW, alone with Stanford, has already been knocked out of Bowl eligibility.
6.  UW embarrassed themselves by losing both bowl games they went to over that stretch, while WSU won 2 of the three bowl games they played over the same time frame.
7.  Their last coach was fired in disgrace because of "Personal Vices" -  though he did came back and beat the Huskies later in court.
8.  The Current head coach was fired from Notre Dame after making one of the nations historic power houses look like, well, UW.  His successor immediately won with almost the same players, and is now taking his team into the BCS.
9.  Current head coach Tyrone Willingham is so callous about his own players futures that 4 players that should have had another year of eligibility left (They have been listed as juniors all year)  Have been already told by Willingham that they will be "honored" as seniors and won't be returning next year.  What if that happened to you?  How embarrassing would that be, walking out on the field in Pullman as the starting kicker, knowing you've already been cut, and everyone knows it?
10.  It won't get better any time soon.  Tyrone Willingham is in the 2nd year of a 5 year contract.   Because of the money paid out to shyster Rick Neuheisel they really can't afford to pay off another coaches contract right now, so they would have to go 1 and 11 again next year for him to be fired.

So, while because of injuries this years game will be close, see past the PR machine and understand that no matter what the outcome (we should win) know that in this century WSU has a better, more powerful, more consistent football program than UW.  Take it to the bank.

Apple Cup Joke #2 (their play is joke #1)
An UW graduate was walking down the street, when his old college buddy pulled up in a new Porsche. "Where the hell did you get a Porsche?", the Husky asked in disbelief. "Well," his buddy replied, "Last night I was at a bar and started dancing with this girl. When the bar closed, she motions for me to follow her. We jump in her Porsche, and drive off into the Cascades. She stops, jumps out of the car, takes off all her clothes, and tells me, 'You can have anything you want'. So I took the car." "That was pretty smart", said the UW graduate, "Seeing as how her clothes probably wouldn't have fit".

Apple Cup 2006 Saturday 3:45 PM in Pullman
After losing to Stanford the oft' humbled Huskies will be visiting Pullman Saturday without their starting quarterback, but maybe with a man at the helm who might have been starting for WSU if not for Husky treachery.  Carl Bonnell was originally grey shirting to become a Cougar Quarterback out of High School, but in a fit of indecision (a harbinger of things to come?) he snuck out of the Cougar camp in the middle of the night and twisted the blade by hooking up with UW.  Many Cougar fans would like nothing better than to see Bonnell flat on his back many many times.  As Dante said, the 9th level of hell is reserved for traitors (was I over the top there? OK maybe a little). 

The Huskies come into this game with their tails between their legs after losing to the one school NO ONE in the Pac-10 should have lost to this year. Husky QB's combined to go 11 of 34 passing against the Cardinal.  If they don't beat the Cougars Saturday  they will have completed three seasons of abject (some would say sublime) failure and go down in Husky history as the worst class of UW football players ever.  They will become the first Huskies ever to lose three Apple Cups in a row.  I'm not sure that even the vaunted Montlake affirmative action program will be able to save Tyrone Willingham's job after that.  Will the money bags at Montlake put up with another year like this?  Man I hope so!

Remember when you were nervous going into the Apple Cup because you knew you were going to be in for the fight of the year?  Sure, we don't go into the game with a lot of confidence after the past couple performances, but it is slightly comforting that if WSU takes care of their own business they can win.  This is not a year when Husky raw talent can dig them out of a hole.

When you think about it, in the past few years the "Husky Mystique" has become the "Husky le stink" - To be sure the Husky fans will still bluster and bark as they come into the stadium, but in the back of their minds - and in the back of the players minds - is the sneaking suspicion that this group of Huskies completely embody the two word slogan that has been worn on shirts and shouted from the stands by drunk college students all year long.  This years group of Dawgs is a team full of players looking for an excuse to quit, so they can get on with flunking out of college and working at Best Buy.

I'm not sure we will win, but I know we CAN win.  I know we are the more talented team, and I know that any of the Cougars who can suit up will.  I think that will be enough to give Alex Brink the title Husky Killer.  And if he does, I will smile smugly, knowing that it was a traitor to the cougar nation that made it all possible.

Wow, maybe the loss at Arizona State hurts more than I thought....Nah...

WSU loses to Arizona State in a Laugher 47-14
On the positive side, UW last to Stanford 20-3
WSU fell behind early on Saturday night, and found themselves looking up at a 30-7 half time deficit.  To give them credit they didn't give up, and scored on their first drive of the second half to cut the ASU lead to 16 points.  ASU immediately shot down the field to score as they did on almost every possession.  At one point I heard Jim Walden say "Its all second team in the game now on both sides of the ball."  Strangely, the same guys were in the game that started the game for WSU.  Injuries left so few starters on the Cougar side of the ball that they had to hand out name tags in the huddle. 

Going into this game I felt that injuries to Hill and Bumpus (among others) would leave us unable to win, but to see the defensive house of cards collapse so completely was particularly frustrating.  They gave up 562 yards on defense, it was painful, especially after the optimism after UCLA.

Coach Doba sounded frustrated, embarrassed and angry, saying:
"If they don't play better than this they don't deserve to go to a bowl game."

Thank Goodness UW lost to Stanford or I would be REALLY depressed.

Was the UCLA game the climax of the 2006 Season?
The offensive crescendo that began against  Oregon and continued at UCLA has begun to feel like the climax of the 2006 season, with the loss of Jason Hill and Michael Bumpus.  Certainly we've played without Jason Hill before, and we know how well that worked.  When you take Bumpus out of the equation as well the final two games of the season are completely losable.

WSU loses more Players an Loses to Arizona 27-17
WSU has lost so many players this year and still won.  Saturday we found out which two players we absolutely could not afford to lose:  Jason Hill and Michael Bumpus.  Combine that with Arizona getting their starting quarterback on the field again and in hindsight a loss is not surprising. 

Strangely, even after we lost Hill and Bumpus for the game (or more....) It still felt like the whole game turned on one play:

Late in the third quarter WSU drove to the Arizona 43 yard line in 9 plays.  At the time the Score was 20-17, WSU had scored on its first drive after half time and the Cougar faithful were already visualizing the go ahead score.  You felt that if we could score Arizona would crumble.  Unfortunately the drive bogged down right there and the Cougars were faced with a 4th and 3.  Maybe because Hill and Bumpus were out WSU called a fake punt and failed.  Suddenly instead of being pinned at the 10 yard line Arizona's meager offense had the ball at midfield.  They drove quickly to a score and the gap was 10 points again.  With both of our best receivers out that felt like an impossible mountain to climb and proved to be so.  Arizona was able to sit back and wait for WSU to pass, and Alex only completed 2 passes in the 4th quarter. 

Suddenly WSU, far from being in the drivers seat for 3rd place, is behind both Oregon State and Oregon (we get no benefit from having beat them), and looking at the prospect of playing Arizona State this weekend without Jason Hill or Michael Bumpus.  To end up in third by themselves they need to win both of their games and hope that Oregon loses to USC and Arizona (possible, but not likely) and Oregon State has to lose to both Oregon and Hawaii - Also possible, but its more likely that there will be a three way tie for third place, which means the bowls get to pick which team goes where.  Because of its history of filling more seats Oregon wins that battle and goes to El Paso, San Francisco takes OSU because it is a quick drive so they will sell more tickets, and WSU gets to go to Hawaii.  UCLA, Arizona, Stanford, and Washington are all either completely out of the bowl hunt or need help.  It would be infuriating to see a team like UCLA win out and go to an at large bowl game based upon non-conference wins against Rice and Utah while WSU was playing Auburn - but we've played that game in the past so we have no room to talk.  The Huskies could be picked for an at large bowl by beating Stanford and WSU.

Feveae'i Ahmu Might be back on line Saturday
In one of those testaments to how tough you have to be to play football at the college level, defensive tackle Ahmu might be back in the game Saturday to see if his foot breaks!  Said Coach Doba the other day:

"...(we'll give) him a chance and see what it does, and if it breaks, just have surgery and do the thing over again." 

Most of us at that point would say "uh, wait, what did you just say?"  Apparently the doctors are unsure if the screw they put into the foot to fix it the first time is big enough to hold under the types of  foot stresses created when you're defensive lineman.  How much stress would YOU put on an injured foot after a comment like that?  I suppose you are going to have to test it eventually, so maybe testing it against an weak offensive line like Arizona allows you to kind of work into it a little bit.  Whether Feveae'i is making sacks or being carried off of the field, this Saturday I'll be watching and rooting for "Mr."  Ahmu a little more than I normally would.  Go Coug.

How bad is the Arizona Offense?
The improving University of Arizona defense gets no help from its "Worst in the Pac-10" offense.  Whether they are worse than Stanford is an open debate, but averaging 12.1 points per game and converting a horrible 28.2% on third down it is hard to imagine them putting up much of a game.  For example, the WSU running attack has been nothing to write home about this year, yet they still have amassed 1366 yards on the ground - 151 yards per game.  The Arizona walking attack has produced a measly 571 yards - less than HALF that of WSU (71 yards per game). They have just over half as many passing yards as WSU, and score less than half as many points per game (WSU averages 25.8 points per game). Arizona's offense ranks 115 out of 119 NCAA Division I-A teams.  Yes, they are even worse than the Huskies.  Its no surprise that they aren't even sure who their quarterback will be Saturday.  When you look at this game on paper and look at last weeks results by both teams you see programs headed in different directions and a Cougar victory in a laugher.  But your lovable Cougars almost never make it look easy, do they?

If Arizona is going to win they will be counting on an improving defense, particularly their linebackers, to pick off Alex Brink and turn those pics into REALLY short fields that not even their anemic offense can mess up.  The defense knows that if they don't pitch a shut out they probably will lose the game. That aggressiveness is something WSU will understand and plan for. The result will either mean early points for Arizona and frustration for cougars (We will win anyway), or a quick and decisive victory of a kind not seen since, well Stanford.  WSU is favored by 16.  Its likely to be more than that.

How Quickly the Fortunes of a Quarterback change.
For most of last year and frequently this year you could hear the discontent in the stands "Swogger would do a better job"  "Did you notice how great Gary Rogers played when he was in the game?"  "It appears that Alex Brink can do everything for WSU except win" (That one was mine).  What a difference a couple weeks can make.  Here is a quote from UCLA head coach Karl Dorrell in his press conference after his formerly impressive defenses thrashing Saturday by Alex Brink and company:

"They were facing a hot quarterback that really did some great things in the game.  They hit about 4 or 5 fades down the sideline.  The percentage of the time you actually complete that is usually not very high.  When he wasn't completing them he was drawing pass interference penalties.  We haven't really experienced anything like that."

Now comes the Pac-10, awarding Alex the Pac-10 offensive player of the week honors.  With three less than stellar defenses to finish out the year Alex should do nothing but improve his status with coaches and fans heading into bowl season.  At 2359 yards already he has the opportunity to put up some incredible passing numbers this year.  Because he will be here 4 years instead of three, his numbers will rival if not pass great Cougar quarterbacks of the past like Drew Bledsoe, Ryan Leaf, and Jason Gesser. 

The one thing he still has to do to be ranked with those greats forever in the hearts of Cougars is take WSU to a decent bowl game this year, a better one next year, and win them both.  After the last couple weeks that suddenly seems possible for the first Cougar Quarterback ever to beat the Huskies two years in a row (and counting).

Next Up For WSU?  Arizona
Fortunately for the banged up Cougar football team the next game is at home against cellar dweller Arizona (its a two deep cellar), whose only wins have been against BYU in the first game of the year, Stephen F. Austin (WHO?!?) and inept Stanford.  After a tough schedule most of the year it suddenly turns favorable for the fighting Cougs.  Arizona still has three tough games after this week, California, Oregon, then arch rival Arizona State.  Far from overlooking the cougars, Arizona has to consider this their best chance of victory the rest of the season.  Its certainly a "must win" for them to salvage any kind of respectability.

Regarding injuries, Darryl Blunt should be healthy, DeMaundray Woolridge looked healthier Saturday than he has most of the season, Cody Boyd will be a week healthier - though he looked pretty darned healthy to UCLA Saturday.  As long as Mkristo Bruce gets healthy WSU should win easily this weekend.

WSU throws UCLA to the Matt in the Second Half, Wins 37-15
After a season of might-have-beens last year, and trouble scoring touchdowns this year, in the past 2 games Alex Brink and the WSU offense has been unstoppable.  Alex threw for 405 yards against a heretofore stout defense, even though the WSU running game weak until the final minutes of the game. 

The WSU defense was also impressive, holding UCLA to one touchdown plus field goals.  In UCLA's first drive of the 4th quarter WSU brought  punishing pressure against UCLA to force an interception (Tyron Brackenridge).

My favorite play of the day came with 8:35 left in the 4th quarter. UCLA's Eric McNeal intercepted an Alex Brink pass in what looked to be a key momentum changing play of the day, but the WSU offense forced him to fumble before he was down and Brandon Gibson recovered it. 

The WSU defense was just dominant in the second half.  That's mazing, since Mkristo Bruce was injured and sidelined for most of the half.   The rest of the defense really stepped up their game to cover for his absence.  UCLA's drives were 4 plays or less in every drive after the 2nd quarter.  Even that one drive of 8 plays was ended by an interception.  Doesn't get much better than that defensively.  What a change from UCLA scoring on 4 of its 6 possessions in the first half.  Total yards gained by UCLA in the second half - 128.

The weirdest thing about this game is the punting and kicking stats.  Darryl Blunt became ill in warm ups, so the punting duties were split between Loren Langley (1 for 43) and Michael Bumpus (2 avg 35.5).  Bumpus was everywhere tonight, catching several passes including a key 3rd down, punting, and also returned a punt 16 yards.  After Langley missed two field goals he suffered a thigh bruise and was replaced by Romeed Abdollmohammadi, who promptly kicked a 30 yarder, then kicked a couple extra points, all straight as arrows through the middle of the uprights.  That changing of the guard was long over due.  Langley tried hard but he was just too inconsistent.  Abdollmohammadi also handled the last couple kick offs.  With UCLA making three field goals and WSU missing two you got the feeling that maybe we would lose the game because we couldn't make those kicks.  Another effect of not having your real punter in the game was WSU going 3 for 4 on  4th down.  While Bumpus did fine, you certainly were worried when he was back there.  It would be kind of cool having someone like Bumpus as the punter for fakes though, wouldn't it?  It would make it much harder on the defense.

Jason Hill's 17-yard touchdown reception was his team-leading seventh of the year and the 32nd of his WSU career, extending his school record...Hill also moved into a tie for second on the all-time Pac-10 list, (Ken Margerum Stanford, 1977-80 - but his quarterback in 1980 was John Elway who threw 27 touchdown passes in 1980) and one shy of USC's Dwayne Jarrett

All of the Alex Brink Naysayers (I would have to include myself in that group recently) have been proven wrong for the moment, as Alex had one of the best games of his career.  You have to shake your head and wonder where WSU gets the smoke and mirrors they are using to replace all of the good players that have gone down.  New additions to that list this week  include Derrell Hutsona and Dwight Tardy (ankle sprains).  Even Mkristo Bruce was injured at the end of the game.  With all of the injuries you have to look at the final score and laugh.  Then Cheer.  Go Cougs!

One more win to become Bowl Eligible! Most Likely the Sun Bowl
As I mentioned below, going to a bowl doesn't mean much if you end up in the "Emerald Bowl" in San Francisco (might as well call it the "Sourdough bread bowl"). WSU needs to finish in the top 3 or finish 6th to get into a bowl game worth going to (Why 6?  Any excuse to go to Hawaii is a good one).  WSU has 2 tough games and two relatively easy ones left to play, starting with the toughest; UCLA this Saturday.  With Cal and USC cruising along we need a lot of help to get any higher than 3rd place - one of those schools would have to lose 3 of their next 4 games (with us winning 4) for WSU to be sure of passing them.  That's because we lost to both of them and have a non-conference loss.  The 3rd place Pac-10 team goes to El Paso in the Sun Bowl and plays either a Big 12 team or Notre Dame  (Notre Dame would be nice, thank you very much).  First the Cougars have to prove they are worthy by beating UCLA this weekend. 

WSU beats Oregon and Brady Leaf 34-23
If you came in late to this game you might have done a double take as "Brady Leaf" came in to quarterback for Oregon in place of the injured (?) Dennis Dixon.  Brady was the one who finally was able to drive the Ducks to an offensive touchdown, after the WSU defense had frustrated the Ducks all day.  Yes, he is related;  he is Ryan Leafs younger brother, and played like his older brother when he finally got into the game (NCAA version of course).  He really spoiled what was looking like a WSU rout.  But we'll get to that.  Lets start at the beginning.

The WSU cougars offense is scored!  After weeks of field goals and frustration inside the red zone the Cougars finally figured out how the get the ball into the end zone today.  Not that the first half was pretty - Alex Brink threw an interception and DeMaundray Woolridge put the ball on the ground as well.  The WSU defense stepped up as usual and created two turnovers of their own.  Then in the second quarter WSU drove the length of the field and Alex Brink threw an 8 yard touchdown pass to Jed Collins.  Oregon blocked the extra point try and ran the ball back almost to the goal line before Jed Collins finally made the tackle. Does anyone get credit for those yards?  I doubt it.  Oregon answered with a long drive of their own and looked as if they were going to score, but once they got to the 6 yard line the defense stood up and crushed Oregon, stuffing Jeremiah Johnson for a 4 yard loss. Then Oregon was flagged for 12 men on the field (-5 yards).  After an incomplete pass they tried a reverse but Mkristo Bruce would have none of that and tagged Brian Paysinger for another 3 yard loss.  Oregon ended up kicking a 35 yard field goal.  It was a great defensive stand.

WSU ran the ball better in the first half than they have recently, but it was Alex Brink scrambles and third down performance that kept several drives going - 3 scrambles for 28 yards and a 5 for 7 third down ratio.  Both of those stats are dramatically better than last week.  Last year Alex and the WSU offense had no problem scoring points inside the red zone, this year it has been excruciating.  They have been close enough to step in the end zone many times and come away with nothing.  Those touchdowns in the first half felt cathartic when they happened, maybe this game is the spring board the WSU offense needs to fly through the rest of the season.

The beginning of the second half was all WSU.  After forcing Oregon into a quick 3 and out, the WSU offense drove methodically down the field, dominating the line of scrimmage.  The key play was a 32 yard pass to game hero Jed Collins to the 1 yard line.  He promptly scored on a 1 yard run and WSU went ahead 20 to 3 on the extra point.  After the kickoff  Oregon QB Dennis Dixon dropped back and threw a pass right at Tyrone Brackenridge at the 25 for a quick WSU score.  WSU kicked off again and after a quick drive down field Dennis Dixon threw yet another interception, this time to Cory Evans.  It looked like everything was looking WSU cruise control, but its never that easy in the Pac-10 is it?  OK maybe when you play Stanford.  But Oregon pride kicked in, as did the WSU nerves.  It all started with the entry of Brady Leaf into the game.

They say to never add up your score after 9 holes of golf if you are doing well, because psychologically you will tend to play worse on the back 9 if you do. Its almost like WSU looked up and went "27-3 against Oregon?  That's not like us!"  and began to fade, while Oregon looked at the score and said the same thing. At the end of the 3rd Quarter and beginning of the 4th Oregon had just gone for it on 4th down on the WSU 9 yard line and been held.  Everyone thought that meant the game was over, but Alex Brink was sacked and fumbled, the fumble was scooped up by Oregon's D Sanders and the score was 27 - 9  Brady Leaf had an awesome day.  After WSU missed a field goal Brady drove the ducks down the field for an impressive score, WSU went 3 and out and Oregon had another strong drive.  Suddenly you had the feeling Oregon might just come back and beat us with a Leaf at quarterback.  That would have hurt.  Fortunately Oregon had to go for it on 4th down and failed, turning the ball over to WSU one more time.  WSU tacked on another touchdown after a 45 yard run by Hutsona (ever notice he's the one that always gets those?), and the celebration began.  While WSU was celebrating Brady Leaf threw for another quick score!  Brady Leaf is going to be good.  2 years from now there is going to be a great game with Brady Leaf and Jonathan Steward going against Gary Rogers and ?  in Pullman.  That might be a long day for WSU.  But today?  Ryan gets to be excited that his brother did well, but big brother's school gets the win.  You have to feel better about WSU's prospects for the rest of the season.

Here is where to Hear the WSU Game against Oregon
The WSUCOUGARS.com feed is broken!  I called them and they have basically cancelled the online coverage this week because of some technical problem.  Go to Yahoo.com here and signup for the University of Oregon feed for $4.95.  That is the only way I could get the game on the radio.  Sounds great, actually.  You could go to "Goducks.com" if you want, but you probably don't.

The "Northwest Sports Report" isn't.
I was TIVO'ing my way through the so called "Northwest Sports Report" last night and once again WSU gets no coverage to speak of.  I understand them covering the Seahawks and Mariners a lot, since everyone that gets the show have those two teams in common.  But the nightly hype of the Huskies over the other Pac-10 schools gets irritating after a while.  They don't even bother to go to the other schools campuses any more, but instead opt for "Campus Cams"  You know, the same thing you can set up with your girlfriend when (Wait. Uh, never mind).  The only time you can count on any significant coverage is the week you play the Huskies.  Maybe it's time they spin off some of the cities into their own Northwest Sports report, or better yet, Why not have a half hour of "Northwest Professional Sports" including the Seahawks, Mariners, Sonics and Blazers - OK Hockey and Soccer too if you insist - but no women's basketball please! - then create a half hour sports report for each major Market (Seattle, Portland, Spokane, and even Boise) so that the college programs (and the lesser sports) can be covered in a more interesting way than "And this on the Cougars, Mkristo Bruce is still a good player".  You can tell that the sportscasters on NWSR are bored to death anyway.  They even give the Huskies their own show every week - does WSU not get that because they won't pony up the money to produce it themselves?  Or were they not even asked?  There used to be an argument that the Huskies were covered so heavily because they were the best team in the Northwest, but...

In summary, it seems that the Northwest Sports Report doesn't think they have any competition because they actually have video with their stories.  Sometimes I get the feeling that in 50 markets across the nation the exact same story is being read by a different announcer inserting the name of the local team into the text, or that the announcer is reading verbatim from a press release created by the team.  The whole show has just become, well, overly formatted and flat. Did you notice they waste time by throwing in a huge number of screen titles and "Coming Up" type lead ins.  Way more than you get on a lot of other sports shows. How many minutes of actual sports reporting do you really get? 

Places you CAN read original stories about the Cougars include the Spokesman Review, Tacoma News Tribune, and the Daily Evergreen.  And of course, here!  But the place I seem to get the most original information from the Seattle Times.  I'll add links to each of these soon, if you aren't sure where to find them.

To give credit where credit is due, they did do a nice feature on WSU's 2000 victory over USC this week.

Oregon is a Defining Game for the 2006 Cougars and Alex Brink
So far this year there have been no surprises.  WSU has beaten the teams a good team is supposed to beat (Idaho, Baylor, Stanford, and Oregon State) and lost to the top 10 ranked teams even a very good team could lose to (Auburn, USC, and CAL).  That is why this weeks game is so important.  Oregon is ranked 16th in the nation because of a loss to CAL, and already beat two good teams in Oklahoma and UCLA.  This is the perfect team for WSU to measure itself against.  A win and WSU jumps up to a tie for 3rd in the Pac 10, a loss and we could end up as low as 7th.

Alex Brink believes this is the week that the WSU offense breaks out of its recent difficulties in the red zone (0-7 inside the 20 - though they did get a field goal on Saturday).  They had better, since Oregon has a very good, very balanced offense anchored by Jonathan "The Franchise" Stewart, a talented  running back that is taking the Pac 10 by storm this season.  Even though his is only a sophomore everyone who watches him run can see he is destined for greatness.  Last weekend against a UCLA team that came into the game ranked #2 in the nation against the run - allowing a measly 50 yards per game - he and Jeremiah Johnson (cool name, great movie) combined for 256 yards.  CAL did manage to hold him to only 25 yards, so it can be done, but both Jonathan and his cohort in crime Johnson  have 5 rushing touchdowns while all 4 WSU running backs combined only have 4.  While Oregon leads the Pac-10 in rushing yards their passing stats are just about the same as WSU.  So offensively they are WSU with a running game.  That's a scary thought.  WSU has to limit the running game of Oregon to win the game.  WSU can't stop them, but they are good enough to slow them down significantly

Defensively the comparisons to WSU stop.  While WSU has an emerging and staunch defense, Oregon has given up an average of 24.2 points per game and is 9th in the Pac 10 against the run.  They have been very good at defending the pass, but haven't been intercepting the ball much.

Our winning scenario?  Jason Hill is one week healthier, as is DeMaundray Woolridge and the offensive line.  There were no major injuries last week other than to backup QB Gary Rogers, so this might be the healthiest WSU offense since opening day at Auburn.  If WSU can run against anyone in the Pac-10 they can run against Oregon, and as porous as the Oregon scoring defense (Much closer to Stanford than USC) has been, we should be able to score when we get the red zone.  Hmm.

Ok Alex, you've convinced me.  WSU by 10.

Another Great Defensive Effort Wasted as WSU loses 21-3.
The WSU defense is so good this year.  Other than the Auburn game they have been lights out.  21 points is an incredible performance against the number 10 team in the nation, which until now has been averaging over 40 points per game.  Really it was only 14 points, since one touchdown was set up by a blocked punt.  On top of that Eric Frampton intercepted two passes, caused and recovered another fumble.  You would think the WSU offense would win with that kind of effort.  Unfortunately the Alex Brink led offense was as hapless as the Defense was dominant.  The only reason Alex has beaten the Huskies the past two years is because they have been even worse chokers inside the 20 than he has.

I guess you can tell I'm not being paid by the university.

But let's talk about the play calling.  WSU gave up on the run before the game even started.  The first time Hutsona touched the ball he caught a pass for 21 yards.  The second time he touched the ball he rushed to the right for 70 yards.  He didn't touch the ball again in that drive, or at all until the 4th quarter when we are already behind 21-3 and the Cal defense was coming like gangbusters.  If nothing else is working but him why aren't you giving him the ball 5 times in a row and see what happens?  I wonder if our multifaceted running game doesn't confuse our own linemen more than it does the defense.  If you are running one guy all the time the linemen get used to knowing when he'll be hitting the hole (just ask the Seahawks). With three different guys in the back field the offensive line is always guessing when the running back is coming through.  Its bad enough that they don't know who is lining up next to them.  Yeah, there have been injuries, but that doesn't mean you just abandon the run entirely.  WSU was 0 for 11 on third down.  0 for 11! That means even when Cal guessed wrong and was out of position calling aunt Millie on a cell phone you STILL had the wrong play called - Hey, maybe you could have tried RUNNING the ball.  I looked at the play by play and WSU passed on 3rd down every single time - even on 3rd and 1!  How predictable is that?  WSU has had a lot of luck with only 1 back, but no back set is just silly when you're number one receiver is playing hurt.  This week the WSU offense should spend every practice working on plays inside the 10 yard line.  Its like the End zone is Alex Brink's kryptonite.  How many times has Alex Brink tried a quarterback sneak from the one and missed?  Maybe we should put Gary Rogers in the game when we get inside the 20.  He couldn't do worse than Alex Brink in those situations.  Unfortunately Gary suffered a slight separation of his shoulder.  So Alex Brink will keep his job the same way he got it in the first place, because of an injury to a better player.

In the first quarter the cougars ran the ball once for 5 yards.  The Quarterbacks had to pull the ball down and run or get sacked 7 times and the WSU Running backs rushed the ball exactly 7 times.  We're a passing team but that is ridiculous.  In the passing game the only time Jason Hill caught a ball it was thrown by Gary Rogers.    If WSU doesn't get the ball in the hands of its play makers it is solely the fault of the Quarterback and the offensive play calling.  If these kind of games keep up (Oregon State and USC were just as frustrating offensively)  The offensive brain trust will have to be changed up in the off season.  I appreciated seeing Gary Rogers in the game, even though he didn't do much better than Alex today.  In the past we've lost games, but we've been able to score.  Hey, there is this Price guy that I hear is pretty good, maybe we could get him to be the head coach and have Coach Doba be in charge of the defense.  Just a thought.

How to watch today's game Between WSU and Cal (2PM Pacific Time)
Go to the stadium!  There is no live television broadcast of the game.  Several people have asked if there is any place to listen to the game for free.  The answer is yes, on the radio click here for a WSU radio broadcast near you.  If you want to listen to the game on your computer the only way to do it is at the WSU official CSTV website here and you normally have to pay for the privilege of listening to the game.  Last year I watched the little graphics and play by play on the Yahoo page for WSU.  Since each year all of the sites upgrade their systems I will go to the WSU site for the play by play and Yahoo for the stats and other information.

WSU plays the best Offense in the Pac-10 on Saturday (2 PM, no TV).
The California Bears stumbled early this season.  But they stumbled by scheduling their opener AT Tennessee.  That is as silly as scheduling your opener at, say, AUBURN.  Great if you win, but the odds are stacked against you when you're playing a top team at their stadium before you get the bugs worked out of your offensive juggernaut.  As evidence of their offensive greatness witness the fact that the Bears have scored over 40 points in each of their last 5 games, and lead the Pac-10 in points per game, passing yards (WSU #2), rushing yards yadda yadda yadda.  They are like WSU's offense, only they can run the ball and know how to score when they are inside the 10 yard line.

On defense Cal has been opportunistic, collecting 11 interceptions (Including one on the 1st play of the game last Saturday) and returning 3 for touchdowns.  They do that with pressure up the middle, something that WSU is ill equipped to stop right now with all of our injuries on the offensive line.  One of their keys on defense is that pressure.  If you see them getting to Brink the game will be over quickly and unpleasantly.  Lets hope that Brinks experiences with Auburn and USC have taught him how to stay calm and avoid costly interceptions.  At the very least WSU has had plenty of practice dumping the ball to control the blitz.

The interceptions hide the fact that California has a porous defense, allowing teams to run up and down the field almost at will between the 20's before stiffening up in the red zone.  If you can void turnovers  you can put up a lot of points on California.  The California defense might eve be considered mediocre if their offense wasn't scoring so many points.  Then, just when people started thinking that, last weekend they stepped up against high powered Oregon and held budding star Jonathan Stewart to only 25 yards on 18 carries.  Which defense will show up for Cal this weekend is a question, but which offense will show up is not.  If WSU wants to win they will need to put at least 32 points on the board and pull down some interceptions of their own to keep Cal to a reasonable point total.

On the injury front, Jason Hill missed practice on Monday but is expected to play, Cody Boyd is not (ankle)

Fan Reaction to Saturdays Game vs. Oregon State
Its Ugly But WSU wins in Corvallis.  This game was so ugly that:
It was so ugly that WSU’s leading rusher for much of the game was the punter.
It was so ugly that the teams traded fumbles on three consecutive possessions in the second quarter.
It was so ugly that the game was more than 40 minutes old when the first – and only – touchdown was scored, courtesy of Alex Brink and Jason Hill.
It was so ugly that the Cougars drove 78 yards to the Beaver 5-yard-line in the fourth quarter but couldn’t push it over on three tries and then missed the chip-shot field goal attempt. (This has been haunting WSU this year)
It was ugly that WSU defensive coordinator Robb Akey was only seen once getting excited on the side lines.
It was one of the ugliest contests this side of the Willamette Valley Paint Drying Festival.

On the Positive side:
The Cougars’ October jinx – 0-for-9 in the month since 2003 – is over, and we're at 4-2 on the season
Wazzu is now just two wins shy of bowl eligibility with six Saturdays still on the calendar
Hats off to Robb Akey and WSU defense for being "as always" ready to play their side of the game and shutting down the Beavers offense from scoring any touchdowns. (If it wasn't for them, WSU would have not won). - Rocky

Its WAY more fun talking about wins, isn't it? - Mark

Defense rules the day for WSU - WSU wins 13-6.
This defense gets better every week.  Scott Davis stepped up his game with 3 sacks, Mkristo Bruce had two sacks (he also caused a key fumble and recovered it) while Lance Broadus his own face-to-face with OSU quarterback Matt Moore.  The WSU defense ruled this game, forcing 4 fumbles and recovering 3 of them, and collecting a key interception in the third quarter.  WSU now leads the nation in quarterback sacks with 27, led by Mkristo Bruce of course (10).

This game hinged on two drives; one successful by WSU, one missed opportunity by OSU.
With 5 minutes left in the third quarter WSU got the ball at the OSU 32 yard line and went to work through the air.  The WSU offense suddenly opened up as Alex Brink hit Jason Hill down the left sideline for 25 yards.  The play was reviewed by OSU to make sure Hill caught the ball in bounds, WSU won that argument.  On the very next play Alex passed to Brandon Gibson in the very same location for another 28 yard gain and this time he was ruled out of bounds by the officials. This time it was WSU that asked for a review and again the call went our way.  Finally Alex passed to Jason Hill right down the middle for a 29 yard touchdown grab - Hill came up holding his shoulder, and we found out that he had been hurt a couple plays earlier, which made the grab even more impressive.  This was the exact kind of drive we have been expecting all year from the 2006 cougar offense.

On the very next drive OSU (to their credit) responded with their own dramatic drive.  Starting from the 20 Matt Moore scrambled and fought through an attacking WSU defense to engineer an impressive drive, screaming down the field in 7 plays to the WSU 11 yard line. 

WSU was suddenly on its heels - had OSU scored the pressure would have been huge on WSU's offense, and Jason Hill was now sidelined with a shoulder injury. Visions of last year run through everyone's head. 

In the 2005 game against OSU Jason Hill suffered a thigh bruise in the 3rd quarter and sat the entire 4th quarter, and while WSU stalled, Oregon State slapped 21 points on the board to come from behind and win, effectively destroying the WSU psyche and beginning an epic season long collapse.

This year Eric Frampton would have none of it.  As Matt Moore threw a sure touchdown pass into the end zone Eric jumped the route and intercepted the ball - in the play that was never made last year.  That play effectively decided the game. While OSU did muster one more drive at the end of the game, the rejuvenated WSU defense sacked Matt Moore two more times to end the threat.  After Jason Hill left the game the WSU offense had exactly one more good play - a 53 yard gain to end the 3rd quarter, and here is the scary part:  In the 4th quarter WSU had the ball 4 times and gained 7 yards, 5 yards, 0 yards, and 6 yards (to end the game).  WSU hunkered down and played not to lose, and it worked, but running the ball into the line for the entire 4th quarter won't work against CAL next weekend.  The WSU defense stepped up.

You have to wonder if DeMaundray Woolridge is still more hurt than he lets on, or if it is just that right now the offensive line is so beaten up that a consistent running game is impossible.  DeMaundray finished the day with 16 yards on 12 runs.  When your punt returner has more yardage than your premiere running back (Blunt had a great 23 yard run when he would have been buried, which kept a drive going), you are in trouble.  Worse yet, Jason Hill and Cody Boyd both could possibly miss the next game with injuries.  Something has to be done to fix the running game for this weekend or WSU will be held scoreless for the first time in living memory. 

Oregon State is WSU's next step back to respectability
We had to beat Stanford and we did (We won't talk about the 4th quarter).  We had to be competitive against USC and we were.  Victory was so close we could taste it.  If we lose to Oregon State this weekend none of that will matter.  Oregon State is a below average program this year, and all of the top level teams in the Pac-10 WILL beat them.  Lose to them and you cannot count yourself in that group, no matter how much you beat the University of Idaho by.  And we will win, convincingly.  I'm so confident after last weekend that a friend of mine who is a betting man asked me if he should take WSU and for the first time in a long time I said "Absolutely".  Oregon State may think they have Alex Brinks' number, and they may think that last year means they will never be out of this game, but WSU will score early and often in this game.  Auburn and USC have prepared them for any team they might come up against, and they are as healthy as they have been in several weeks.  Watch for an OK ground game and huge yards through the air against OSU's much maligned secondary.  WSU By 12

WSU does most things right. And still loses to #2 USC 28-22
Dear USC.  We saw Auburn, we played Auburn.... You are no Auburn.

The WSU Cougars certainly gave it their all against USC - they played their best game of the year and: Committed no turnovers (Other than the hail marry at the end of the game),
Averaged 5 yards per carry against what was formerly the #2 rushing defense in the country,
Scored almost as many points (22) against USC as Arizona, Nebraska and Arkansas Combined (27), Loren Langley made all three of his field goals (Thanks to a visit by Drew Dunning)
Alex Brink showed toughness as a running quarterback when he needed to.

And yet they still came up short against the Trojans.  Some would say that means that USC must not be the #2 team in the country.  It looks to me as if the Cougars are a much better team than they were a few weeks ago against Auburn.  The WSU make shift offensive line did an extraordinary job giving Alex time to throw the ball, and also opened decent sized holes for the backs to run through.  The WSU defense was stingy much of the afternoon except for one quick touchdown on a short field in the first quarter.  USC had to work for every yard.  Even USC's game changing drive of the day in the 4th quarter had to be helped along both by penalties called against WSU that were iffy and most importantly by a 3rd down holding call against USC in which the officials picked up the flag because the USC player wasn't actually "Grabbing" the Cougar.  The replay clearly showed otherwise, and instead of punting the ball away USC had a first down and was able to continue a time consuming 99 yard drive for a touchdown.  There were several key plays on that drive, but maybe the most impressive for USC was a 12 yard gain on 4th and 10 when logic said punt the ball.  A game changing move by USC.

The only softness in the WSU defense seemed to be right over the middle, as USC was able to hit Steve Smith repeatedly to overcome blitzing situations and turn what should have been 3rd down sacks into significant gains.  At one point late in the game USC was averaging 7.9 yards on 3rd down.

But the reason WSU lost is that USC forced them to settle for field goals instead of Touchdowns. It began in the first quarter when Dwight Tardy dropped the ball without being touched when he had one safety left to beat to score.  WSU was ineffective in the red zone.  Even when they had the opportunity to score from the 2 at the beginning of the 4th quarter they couldn't get the job done and had to settle for another field goal.  WSU needs to reassess what they are doing when they get inside the 5, they have been frustratingly ineffective (and predictable) there most of the season (with the exception of the Idaho game, obviously). 

The only way for this loss to be written off as "The #2 team in the country beat a top 20 WSU Cougar team" is if the Cougars can take out their frustrations against a bruised and beaten Oregon State Beaver team this coming Saturday in Corvallis.  Every Cougar that watched the USC game has to believe that we can play with anyone in the Pac-10 this year, and beat most of them.  That has to be good.

WSU falls short to USC 28-22
It appears that Alex Brink can do everything for WSU except win.  I'm tired of "Moral victories".  We had to settle for that last year.  No, like everyone else I didn't expect to win this game, but to have it be as close as Jason Hills fingertips is almost too much to bear. 

WSU hopes to "Kick a little Booty" at USC
I've had enough realism to choke a horse. On the day before the game we need to talk about how WSU will beat USC Saturday!

The WSU Defense needs to have their best game of the year for WSU to win.  They need to have a game like they had against Stanford, vs. a team as good as Auburn.  With Mkristo Bruce the focus of attention for the USC defense, Players like defensive tackle "Fevaea'i Ahmu and Aaron Johnson need to get sacks and pressures on USC Quarterback John David Booty as if they aren't playing injured.  Offensively USC isn't that great. 

While Booty is 3-0 as a quarterback, Saturdays 20 points was the lowest scoring effort by a USC offense in many years (53 games, to be exact).  Two weeks earlier Arizona allowed #8 LSU 45 points, so it wasn't just that Arizona had a great defense, the USC offense is struggling.  In a mirror of their Defense USC scored 50, 28, and 20 points in the past three games, and Booty's favorite receiver Dwayne Jarrett is out for the WSU game.  Maybe USC is just beginning to lose the confidence they had for the past few years.  If we can afford costly turnovers - a big if with our current pattern and the quality of USC's defense - Hopefully we can squeak out 27 points and hold USC to 24. 

On Special teams Loren Langley will have to be the old Loren Langley, as you need to make your field goals against great defenses, and you need them from distance.  The WSU offense would have put up un-godly points last Saturday if they had held on to the ball.  Finally, after taking on Auburn AT Auburn, the Cougars are not going into this game intimidated by the Trojans offense or defense. Here's counting on everything going right on Saturday!

WSU vs. USC 4:00 PM (TBS)
I watch this movie over and over hoping that this time it won't have the same bad ending.   To be fair we have beaten USC, 8 times in 65 tries.  If everyone in the Pac-10 was honest they would say that the road to the Rose Bowl ALWAYS runs through USC, no matter where it is played.  This year is no different, as the Men of Troy are 3-0, ranked #3 in the nation, and come into the game having beaten Arkansas, Nebraska (19) and Arizona by a combined score of 98-27.

Though the offense of USC is not supposed to be as good as last year - and loses its Jason Hill as Dwayne Jarrett will not play on Saturday - the Trojan defense is awesome.  More troubling is the fact that it is getting better each week (14, 10, 3).  Last week against Arizona (2-2) the USC defense gave up a negative -16 yards rushing.  That's not giving up yards, that's taking them.  Put it this way - the USC defense rushed for 16 more yards than the Arizona offense did.  They are allowing a paltry 2.2 yards per carry.  WSU is 2nd in the Pac-10 in rushing yardage averaging 190 yards per game (Oregon averages 198) and 4.9 yards per carry.  But with Center Josh Duin injured expect a drop off against USC, even if DeMaundray Woolridge is healthy.  Because of all the above this is a game that Alex Brink and Jason Hill have to win.  Alex needs to be able to understand the USC defense well enough to pick the right outlet receivers and take some of the coverage off of Hill and keep USC from pinning their ears back all day.  That will be a steep task, since USC is #2 in the Pac-10 defending the pass, and have yet to give up a touchdown through the air.  We'll get to the quarterback, we've already found him 18 times this year, which so far has taken some of the heat off of our corners.  Here's hoping that we hold their office to under 20 points and throw 3 touchdowns ourselves.  Most people would call that wishful thinking.

There was a even Yahoo sports poll in which 98% of respondents think USC is going to win.  I think that means that only USC fans were stupid enough to pay money to vote by phone.  WSU has to count on USC hubris and the turn over Gods to give us an early lead, then hold on for dear life.  USC does not have the same explosive offense they did last year.  They will not have the ability to score in bunches to come from behind.  Of course, while they have not scored a lot in the first quarter, they haven't trailed in a game this season, so that is just a guess.

So I'll watch and hope that this year the movie ends differently.  Sequels sometimes do, don't they?

Pac-10 Bowl Lineup for 2006-07
Speaking of WSU bowl chances, lets do the story way too early, just so we can say we were first.  Here is a list of the places Pac-10 teams can expect to be invited this year:

The BCS Bowls: The Rose Bowl - If WSU can't get there then USC vs. Ohio State for the National championship would maintain the Rose Bowl tradition (come on, tell me you wouldn't LOVE that match up). U-N-fortunately, the National Championship is in "Glendale" Arizona (Fiesta Bowl) this year, so we could see the Rose Bowls nightmare scenario play out.  Both of those teams taking the limelight somewhere else in a game that should have been played in the Rose Bowl.  Instead, the number 2 Pac-10 team would have to settle for the Rose Bowl. 

Other than the fact that #1 always plays #2 (In theory), the rest of the BCS is awkward to understand at best.  To give it a shot take a look at the BCS Selection Policies and Procedures.  All that concerns us is that the 99.9% of the time if the #1 Pac-10 team goes to the National Championship game, the second place team in the Pac-10 standings would go to the Rose Bowl.  If there is no Pac-10 team in the NCG then the conference champion plays in the Rose Bowl.

If you aren't in the BCS then here is where you go:

Holiday Bowl                December 28             Pac-10 #2  vs. Big 12 #3
at San Diego                   (8:00 p.m. - ESPN)    

Sun Bowl                       December 29             Pac-10 #3 vs. Big 12/Big East or Notre Dame
at El Paso, Texas             (2:00 p.m. - CBS)     

Las Vegas Bowl           December 21             Pac-10 #4 vs. Mountain West #1
at Las Vegas                   (8:00 p.m. - ESPN)    

Emerald Bowl               December 27             Pac-10 #4/#5 vs. ACC #5/#6
at San Francisco             (8:00 p.m. - ESPN)    

Hawaii Bowl                 December 24             Pac-10 #6 vs. WAC #3
at Honolulu                     (8:00 p.m. - ESPN)    

Its a shame the game in Honolulu doesn't have a better match up and prestige,  Why not send the number 3 team there? And if two teams get into the BCS (national championship and Rose) does the number 7 team  in the Pac-10 go to Hawaii?  Vegas is a cheap date, and you can get back in time for Christmas with the kids.  Why on earth would you want to go to San Francisco between Christmas and New Years?  Great vacations aside, any lesser game than the Sun Bowl/Holiday Bowl is not a feather in your cap, just an opportunity for recruiting and some extra practice for next years team. The realist in me wants to pencil us in for the Sun Bowl right now.  The optimist is pulling for a Rose bowl behind USC's latest national championship bid.  I'm sure I'll get emails from Pollyanna any time now. The scariest thing about USC? Their coach has already BEEN to the NFL, so he isn't going anywhere.....

WSU vs. Oregon Game Time Changed
The powers that be have moved the game vs. Oregon to 4 PM from 1 PM, so it can be televised on FSN.  Sounds like a dark and stormy night.  Horrible if you are going to drive back to Pullman afterwards, but awesome for those of us too far away to get to the game.  With the cold and the awful start that Oregon State has had, maybe WSU can quiet the crowd early.

The Schedule this year is turning out to be kind to the Cougars, considering the fact that there is no bye.  We play the three best teams USC, Oregon, California at Home.  We do play California and Oregon back to back, but we get the Huskies at home to finish the regular season.  With the new schedule where you are going to play everyone every year, this years schedule is not that bad.  The Huskies, for instance, still have to play USC, CALIFORNIA, OREGON, ARIZONA and WSU on the road this year. ASU gets to play  at CAL, Oregon at home and at USC on successive weeks.  A betting man would say that we lose to USC and win at OSU, leaving us 2-1 in the Pac-10 and 4-2 over all going into the three game stretch when we play CAL, OSU and UCLA.  By the end of the UCLA game we will know exactly what type of team this is.  If we are at least 4-2 after UCLA we will in position to have our first winning season in a couple years, and position ourselves for a decent bowl game.  After the past couple seasons any Bowl that doesn't have the word "toilet" attached to it would be considered at least  a moderate success.  Being in a bowl doesn't mean what it used to, though, this year the top 6 (6!) teams in the Pac-10 will all be vacationing somewhere. 

WSU Spanks Stanford and Wins 36-10
After the game the Stanford band requested that it be suspended from attending football games for another month.  WSU overcame some tightness inside the red zone early and pulled away from Stanford in the second quarter behind the passing of Alex Brink and running by several backs, handing Stanford its 4th straight loss to open the season.  Cougar fans everywhere are probably going to bed tonight with visions of bowl games dancing in their heads (prematurely, to be sure!).

How much better is this defense than we gave it credit for at the beginning of the season?  Sure, Stanford was missing some key players on offense, and they weren't that good to start with,  but for the third week in a row the WSU defense came to play and played awesomely well.  Mkristo Bruce knocked out 5 sacks (a WSU record) - the defense sacked Trent Edwards 6 times and backup QB Ostrander once.  For the second game in a row the defense scored 9 points (a gift safety and a great interception returned for a touchdown by Mike Graise).  They held the Stanford offense to an average rush of 1.3 yards per carry and a total of 40 yards on the ground, with only 149 through the air.

Having said that, the offense should get most of the credit for the first quarter, since the defense was really never on the field.  The WSU offense out manned Stanford so effectively that at the end of the first quarter WSU had held the ball for 34 plays, while Stanford had only run 3 plays, one of which was a safety. 34 plays!   With that many plays, how could you POSSIBLY not score!?!  The answer is two fold:  First, a lack of confidence in field goal kicker Loren Langley.  On WSU's 2nd drive they ran 11 plays and drove the ball from the WSU 29 to the Stanford 21 yard line and were faced with a 4th and 4. A classic place to kick a field goal.  The field goal would been around a 41 yard shot - good kickers make those all the time.  Instead WSU went for it, and Alex Brink connected with Cody Boyd for a first down on the Stanford 1 yard line.  On the next play WSU ran a QB sneak and Alex Brink fumbled the ball.  It was hard to know if he really fumbled or if he fumbled after he crossed the goal line, but the result was Stanford ball on the 1.  Luckily Stanford QB Trent Edwards tripped on the next play and WSU got 2 points, but not having a field goal kicker that can be counted on outside the 20 will cost us dearly as the year goes on (He even missed an extra point later in the game).   "B" (don't you hate it when people do that?), the WSU offense continued their penchant for turning over the ball inside the 20.  Once by Brink as mentioned on the 1, and once by Dwight Tardy on the 11 (DeMaundray Woolridge lost a fumble in the 3rd quarter as well).  In the past 3 games WSU has fumbled 10 times, and lost 6 of them - and that doesn't include interceptions.  Turn over ratio is probably the biggest single factor that separates the good teams from the great ones and winners from losers.  WSU will lose to USC, CAL, OREGON and UW at least, if they keep that up.

WSU looked much better on offense than they did against Baylor, and if they can avoid turnovers they have a legitimate shot at USC this weekend. 

With a new quarterback USC has a much better defense than offense this year, and they only allowed Arizona 154 yards of offense today.  Because of that WSU will only have a few chances to score, and they cannot afford to fumble them away.  The flip side is that our defense should keep the game close enough that there should not be a replay of the embarrassment that was Auburn.

WSU Guards Back in the Nick of Time.
Guards Andy Roof and Dan Rowlands - Roof was injured before the season started - returned to the practice field this week and each may see time Saturday against Stanford.  Rowlands was hurt during the Baylor game (knee).  Injuries have left the Cougars thin on both sides of the line.  DeMaundray Woolridge did not practice, but should see plenty of action on Saturday as well.

Stanford Upgrades Stadium, But Not Team (put the thumb tack above the "S")
Anyone who has ever been to a football game at Stanford remembers the horrible seating.  Basically cement benches on a dirt hill.  When it rained the mud from the cracks made it the worst place to watch a game in the Pac-10.  The embarrassment factor finally outweighed the snob factor and the schools along with their Alumni bucked up for a new Stadium, which opened to decent reviews.  The Navy players and fans LOVED it, as they spoiled the debut in a 37 to 9 romp over the Cardinals. To add insult to injury, the "Unique" Stanford band couldn't even be there because they vandalized their own "Band Shak" during the summer with graffiti and spray paint (better than the time they urinated on the football field).  Their band will be absent this weekend as well.

I guess they are all doing what they can to make sure no one thinks of them as "just" a football school.

The Stanford football team has done its part for the cause, losing to Oregon, San Jose State, and Navy by an average score of 40-17.  To be fair, those three schools have a combined record of 7-1 so far this year, with the only loss being San Jose State's loss last weekend to the Huskies by a whisker.  But this weekend they won't even be fielding the team that got them to 0-3!  With injuries to key players like receivers Mark Bradford and Evan Moore, as well as Fullback Nick Frank this team has the word "Moped" written all over it (in spray paint, of course).  The revived WSU defense should have no problem handling the injured Stanford offense, and after last weeks effort you can be sure the whip was out on the offensive side of the ball in Pullman.  Besides, doesn't it seem like Alex plays better when his job is on the line?

Stanford will be as up as they can be for this game, since they believe it is one of their few chances to win a game this year.  The rest of their season is all Pac-10 plus some team called Notre Dame.

"Legends of the Palouse" now available!
The first installment of the "Legends of the Palouse" video is finally available for purchase here.  While I have not seen the finished product yet I did see some clips, and they looked great.  Jeff McQuarrie has poured his cougars soul into this production.  I believe it will be a "must have" for the Cougar faithful!

WSU Cougars Fumble Their Way Past Baylor, 17-15
"The battle's done and we kind of won, so we sound our victory cheer" (BTVS)

Baylor's offense fooled the WSU defense for exactly one drive on Saturday, their second possession of the day.  Shawn Bell drove his team quickly down the field after the opening drive for WSU ended in a safety (sulk much?).  After that the defense played great for the rest of the day.  They bent, they didn't break, and the WSU defense was the star of yesterdays performance. WSU didn't blitz nearly as often as it had in the past two games, they were content to deny Baylor long pass plays and play a swarming defense, limiting the yards after catch for the Baylor receivers.  As advertised, Baylor did a good job moving the ball to mid field, but slowed down more and more as the goal line approached.  WSU's defense was particularly effective in the second half, allowing only 68 yards of offense to the Bears and collecting its second interception of the day.  Yeah for the home team!

I wish I could be as positive about the offense.   Special teams gave up that  embarrassing safety on the first drive (the long snapper has just one job!), but the offense had already set the tone.  Everyone in the stadium watched as the WSU offensive game plan sputtered like a car with a bad carburetor.  It will surprise anyone that watched the game that Alex was a respectable  21-32 for 256 yards and a 65.6% completion rate (last year he averaged 262.7 yards per game with a 57.3% completion rate).  Maybe it was my expectations for the game, but it felt like he performed much worse.  The Cougar faithful  felt the same way, as there was a noticeable lift in the attitude of the crowd when Gary Rogers came into the game at the end of the first half.  I heard that the student section was chanting Rogers name before he came into the game, but I was at the other end of the field and couldn't hear it. Rogers proceeded to drive the team for a quick touchdown.  Until that scoring drive by Gary Rogers  it felt like we were behind by 20 or 30 points, not 9.  Other than that drive the WSU offense only mustered one touchdown and a field goal for the day!  You might try to blame the lack of a running game for Brink's performance, but Rogers didn't.  In limited playing time Gary Rogers has 3 touchdowns and 1 interception, while Brink only