Happy Tuesday Cougs, as we get after it with another rise and grind. As always, we hope things are good with you and yours as we roll out of bed and take on the day ahead. And that's the right attitude to take, am I right? I mean the day shouldn't be something that just washes over you, you need to take it on and get after it! Someone once said that life and finding success is 10% what happens to you, but 90% of how you respond to those things that makes – or breaks – the individual. So I say don't just sit there and let things happen, go out and get it!
Anyway, there are more previews-n-such making the rounds today in regards to those beloved Cougs of Washington State, so, let's take a look…
USA Today has a big write-up on WSU, as Paul Myerberg continues to count down from team #125 to #1 in his daily series. In the article, WSU weighs in at #93 in his ratings, which might seem a little low overall? After all, so far in "preview season", Athlon's has the Cougs at #68, and, well, I guess that's all we know right now. Phil Steele is still a week away from his preseason mag, and I have not yet seen the national ratings from Sporting News, Lindy's, etc. The top 25 for those publications are available here via a fancy chart, but the full-blown 1-125 ratings aren't there.
What hits the hardest is how Myerberg not only keeps it real in regards to expectations, but spells it out pretty clearly when it comes to this historic run of struggles for WSU:
Washington State's current run of incompetence is reaching historic proportions. The Cougars have lost at least eight games in each of the past five seasons, a stretch spanning Paul Wulff's entire tenure with the program and former Texas Tech coach Mike Leach's debut, a 3-9 opening complete with a last-place finish in the Pac-12 North and, believe it or not, a loss to Colorado.
So, that much we know. Five straight years of at least 8 losses, got it. But if that's not bad enough?
Only one other Pac-12 school has suffered as many eight-loss seasons in a row: Oregon State lost eight or more games in each season from 1979-87. Oregon State fans – and the rest of the Pac-12, and the rest of college football – will attest: WSU wants no part of being connected with Beavers' teams of 1970s and 1980s.
OUCH.
It's actually kind of funny that they make that connection. Our old friend Coug-a-Sutra and I have talked about that before, about approaching the kind of futility that the haggard Beavs were once known for (you know, before they started to win and all that). Now being compared to the Oregon State that you see today, now that's not a bad thing. In fact the Beaver "model" might be closer to reality to what we are currently pursuing vs. trying to become Oregon or someone of that ilk? You know, the state school in the smaller town but yet able to overcome the so-called obstacles to build a consistent winner? But hey, it's a new age with Mike Leach and updated facilities and all that sizzle, right? This losing on a historic level just can't continue, RIGHT!?!
The write-up touches on the offense's struggles last year (1.38 yards per carry with 57 sacks allowed??) as well as some bright spots on the defense (16th in the nation in sacks, 18th in total tackles for loss). But overall, it still looks like a tough season which will likely not see postseason play as the takeaway from all this. But maybe, just maybe, we're one more year away from a bowl season? I would encourage you all to take a look at the article though, it's one of the better and most thorough previews I've seen on the Cougs this year.
Finally, Teddy Miller's blog has a look at Pac-12 offenses set to take a step forward in 2013 after rolling out a "bottom five" offense in 2012. Miller likes UW to bounce back (as do many others), with lots of starters back and of course the senior-QB element in Keith Price. But Miller does like WSU as his second choice to take a step forward, and maybe even approach 30 points per game?
But so much of the success – or failure – of this 2013 offense is going to boil back down to two huge things: 1) the hopeful improvement of the offensive line, not only in pass protection but also at least providing some kind of push in the running game to allow some success on the ground and not allow teams to happily drop 8 (or more?) into coverage; and 2) the hopeful improvement at the QB position, with better, quicker decision making and more accuracy overall from the most important position on the field.
Hey, a guy can hope, right? And there is ALWAYS hope! Enjoy the rest of your Tuesday, RISE AND GRIND and GO COUGS!
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