BEATING THE RESER MONKEY

Well, congrats are in order to the Cougar defense for getting that RESER MONKEY off our backs (you Husky fans probably won’t get that pun for obvious reasons). Really a solid performance from that group–particularly the front 3 and their ability to tackle Bernard and allow the LBs to sag a bit into coverage. I think I read this morning that WSU is now a leader in the nation in sacks. When you consider how little we’ve blitzed up until yesterday, well, that’s really an accomplishment. The D is certainly much farther along than we would have thought.

In terms of the offense, well….what can you say? I am hoping that what we saw was a HUGE case of the “yips” that was fueled by a “we can’t lose this game” mentality. Otherwise, the rest of the season is really in question.

Alex Brink, although his numbers look good, was simply not good. And, as I told Sedihawk last night, we have two weeks to see whether or not he’s already hit the ceiling of his upside. Simply put: a third year QB in our system, with our talent, musters MUCH more than one touchdown against a cellar dwellar type team. Mark my words Cougar Nation: The Beavs finish no better than 9th.

So, next week will be a huge test. Bet the farm that every team from here on out will stack the line, blitz, and make Brink beat them. Either he will adjust, or its gonna be real, real tough to watch–especially with the effort we’ll see on D.

While a very good season is still possible for us, right now it looks like the three game stretch of UCLA, Arizona, and the Sundildos will define the season. Gotta win two out of those three.

Other notes:

1) Congrats Husky nation. Despite being a good football team (man that hurts to admit), you still managed to show ABSOLUTE incompetence when it mattered most. Although you had nearly a minute to organize yourselves on the Trojan 15, you couldn’t accomplish the most important thing: TELL YOUR OFFENSIVE LINE TO GET DOWN AND SNAP THE BALL WHEN THE WHISTLE BLOWS TO START THE CLOCK. Instead, Stanback goes into a “hut, hut, hut, hut, game over, hut, hut, hut, hike” thing that was just too funny. (if i was a dawg fan I would be sick for a week).

2) How the CAL game is not on tv is just a mystery. Maybe I’ll be glad I missed it, but why the CRAP-10 isn’t hyping their best shot at a National Champion is simply beyond me.

3) Anyone else notice how much we’ve GAINED in the punting department. I thought we’d miss Basler BADLY, instead we may be better. Although not talked about, THE IMPROV on the punt that would have been blocked that turned into a first down in the first half might have been THE PLAY of the game.

4) HAND THE BALL TO THE BOWLING BALL EVERY TIME INSIDE THE FIVE. Woolridge may wind up being a 25 carry for 25 yard back, but he’ll get a yard every single time. When you’re on the 3 or the 4, give him the ball, again, again, and again. It sure as hell beats east-west playcalling, AND, it provides a different look than Brink throwing an out/fade to Hill that now EVERYONE will look for. Give Woolridge the stinkin ball.

Hope you all have a great week. Hopefully, the coaching staff and baby Alex can make some adjustments in relation to the blitz. If we do, this season could still be solid. If we don’t, we may have seen one of our last two wins of the year.