Hello fellow Coug Fanatics, welcome to Wednesday! For today’s tidbit I want to take you on a time traveling trek, back to a place many of us have forgotten. Want to come along? Well jump on in, put yourself into a deep hypnosis, and let’s go!
Bring yourself back to an earlier self, back to high school or early college. I want you to remember the first significant other to enter your life, that special guy or girl who first caught your attention in a real and tangible way. Remember how you thought about them? You wanted to be with them all the time, learn as much as possible about their interests and thoughts, delve deep into a relationship with that specific person. Your interest level is so high, so focused on that one entity, that many times everything else would be forgotten; whether school work or other friends or specific social interactions. You’re experiencing love for the first time, maybe not the full or total meaning of the word, but you’re experiencing what it’s like to fall in love.
(NOTE: NOT in love with the new Butch head)
Flash back to 2013 WSU football. I’m not sure about you, but I can’t get enough information on this Cougar football team. I can’t watch enough interviews, can’t read enough articles, can’t watch enough games. I am falling deeply, heavily, emotionally, unstably in love with Cougar football all over again. Sure we had a fling back in 97. And again in 2001-03.
The attractions always been there, sometimes we’ll exchange late night texts or peruse pictures online, but since the 03 Holliday Bowl it’s been a pretty one sided relationship. Sending an Apple Cup gift or occasional big play message hasn’t been enough to recommit, we’ve needed more!
Now it’s finally happening. We’ve been on a few dates, had a few dinners, and now the commitment seems strong from the other side. Its more serious this time.
They seem to have their life together, a new and cleaner house, upgraded financial standing, and a flash and fashion sense that makes us proud to be seen with them. We’ve allowed ourselves to love Cougar football again, and hoping against hope to not get burned.
Folks, I don’t think we will get burned. This is a program clearly on the rise, the tides have changed in Pullman. So don’t be afraid to let yourself get sucked in this year, don’t be afraid to fall in love with football on the Palouse, don’t be afraid to let the passion of WSU get back into your blood.
And that brings us to this weekend. As far as I can tell, this game against Stanford is the biggest Cougar football game since the end of 2006 when we were fighting for a bowl berth. Or maybe even before that, say the 2002 USC game. This football game is the first long roadtrip for a wedding you take together, it is a big commitment and shows an incredible amount about the other person/team. This is a litmus test game for both sides of the football, can the defense play with a strong, powerful offense? Can the offense operate against a defense that likes to get physical and dominates the line of scrimmage? These are the two basic questions we’ll be asking all week, but there’s tons of sub questions that go along with each. So let’s ask those:
1) Can the Air Raid receivers operate and get separation against a defensive like Stanford? This game will hinge mightily on the play of Stanford’s secondary and the spacing WSU receivers achieve. For a team that has dominated lower competition with better athletes the last 2 weeks, it will be important to take a look at how they handle more experienced and stronger players lining up against them.
I believe we’ve seen enough positives from games against Auburn and USC who have very strong, athletic defenses that Connor and company can definitely compete on that level and be successful. The challenge will be to remain consistent on that side of the ball and continue to string drives together. There was way too much sputtering during those early season matchups, but the ability was there.
2) Can the offensive line contain a deep and strong Stanford front 7? Probably the best view of how this will play out comes from the USC matchup. During that game, Halliday was under pressure thoroughly during both halves.
During the first he made poor decisions under that pressure, during the second he didn’t. But more importantly, the offense struggled to gain consistent yards because of that pressure. If WSU is to knock off Stanford, the big boys up front must give time and protection for Halliday.
3) Will the rush defense step up? While the secondary has been fantastic and the pressure up front good, the Cougar D has not contained the run yet like they will have to against the Furd. Look for the linebackers to have big games and Cougar defenders to be in the backfield often, if the trees are gaining more than 4 yards a carry it will be a long night at the Clink.
We can go into many more situations, but until Saturday it is only speculation. The flashes of brilliance have been there. The ability is there. The coaching is there. The mindset is there. And this team will put it all together sooner rather than later, but will it be this very week? We’ll find out Saturday.
More importantly though, cherish these moments. Just like first loves, you’ll never experience anything quite like this again. Next year will be different, next week will be different.
Shoutout to Cougshirts.com!
But right now, during this time and this season, enjoy the feelings of Cougar Football Love.
All for now. Thanks again Burning Snowmans, and look for him in attendance for ESPN Gameday this week in Athens, GA, as he once again waves the flag this season. And of course, GO COUGS!
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