Welcome to another WSU Football Friday, where each week we belly up to the bar and throw down our takes for the coming Saturday, plus pick some of the other Pac-10 games. You know the drill.
First off, in this hailstorm of negativity in regards to the incredible struggles of late, we wanted to remember something, well, good. You know, when the Cougs were relevant on the Pac-10 scale? And since we're playing Oregon State this week, we thought it would be a good idea to look back at the last time WSU beat them in Pullman, all via video. Some of you may not remember, heck, 2003 was a long time ago. Jay Leno was still stinking it up on the Tonight Show at 11:30, long before he was exposed as a ratings-killing fraud at 10 PM. Howard Stern was on the free airwaves, battling the FCC and unable to say the seven dirty words that now flow freely on Sirius (check it out weekdays on Howard 100 and Howard 101!). Arnold Schwarzenagger became governor of California after Gray Davis was recalled. Oh, and a young, spry George W Bush had just started his first war in Iraq! Aww, they grow up so fast, don't they?
But enough of that talk. I barely remember what I had for breakfast, so if you've forgotten what happened back in '03, it's understandable to say the least. But the Beavs swaggered into Pullman with a 5-2 record, and some serious NFL talent, including Derek Anderson at QB and of course, the mack truck at running back, Steven Jackson. But this wasn't a pushover Coug team, not by any stretch. Coming off the '02 Pac-10 title, they were playing with a chip on their shoulder after Mike Price bolted for 'Bama. This was a crucial game, as WSU came into it at 6-1, 4-0 in the conference and #14 in the country in the rankings. WSU was staring at a showdown with USC the following week in LA for the Pac-10 title, but first they had to get past the rock-solid Beavs.
It was a see-saw battle, all the way. WSU jumped out to a 14-0 lead, which included a fantastic, leaping TD catch by Devard Darling. But then the Beavs would reel off 25 straight points to take a 25-14 lead into halftime. The Cougs would battle back, finally sealing it with a 4th quarter Jonathan Smith TD run in a 36-30 victory. Check it out (and be sure to listen to the crowd, pay attention to the atmosphere! Yes, it really used to be like this!):
Some really good players in this game. Jason David, Erik Coleman and Karl Paymah all have played in the NFL. Will Derting, be still my heart, one of the all-timers and easily one of my favorite Cougs ever. And I'll always love the speed on the edges with Isaac Brown and DD Acholonu. Man those guys could run! But it's easy to forget that with all that talent on defense, the offense had some pretty good players too? Devard Darling, an NFL wide receiver. Sammy Moore and his excellent speed, showing up in the big games with game-breaking ability (remember his plays vs. Texas in the Holiday Bowl?). Jonathan Smith and the quick feet out of the backfield. And you even get a glimpse of a frosh named Jason Hill on special teams. Lots 'n lots of talent.
It makes it easy to see what people like Paul Sorensen and others have been talking about in recent weeks, about the lack of depth and talent on this current team. You see this, you realize how far it's fallen, how much work lies ahead. But it's also important to remember where things used to be, and can be once again!
Moving on.....
So, this week. It won't be pretty, I think we can all agree there. The Cougs will fight, like they have been doing every week, but the deck is stacked in more ways than one. Oregon State is really flippin' good, and maybe they'll end up stealing the whole Pac-10 title when this year is said and done. I sure can't wait to see the Civil War on 12/3, where it could be a winner-take-all battle royale with Oregon! Anyway, the same formula plays out for us this week. Cougs start super-slow on offense, opponent strolls up and down the field four or five times in the first half, and we're buried early. This time it's behind Sean Canfield's accuracy, the Rodgers brothers talent, and a nasty, take-no-prisoners defense that will have Kevin Lopina and, maybe eventually Marshall Lobbestael, on the run from beginning to end.
We'll find a score or two along the way, most definitely in the second half, but it will be more of the same. Beavs 58, Cougs 14.
Others:
Ducks 37, AZ 30 - Shoot-out time in a huge elimination game for the Pac-10. I look at Oregon and you can see that they have had issues on grass, where they kind of struggled vs. UCLA earlier in the year and of course, lost to Stanford. But Arizona's green stuff is like a putting green, and Oregon will look just as fast as they always do on the flubber/field turf/whatever.
UCLA 27, ASU 17 - Bruins are looking better, ASU is falling apart.
Stanford 49, Cal 30 - The big game is just that this year, but Stanford cannot be denied. They have it all rolling right now. Over 100 points scored vs. Oregon and USC in consecutive weeks!?! Stanford?? Are you f'ing KIDDING ME!?! No WAY I pick against them now!
Out-of-conference biggie - Ohio State 23, Michigan 19 - Eh. Ohio State has the Rose Bowl big already clinched, Michigan is playing out the string in the Rich Rodriguez era. But the boys in maize-n-blue will keep it close in the classic rivalry game. And how about that Michigan program, huh? Rich Rodriguez and his multi-million dollar salary, and they are ready to run him out of town just two years in? And he's a total jerk who burnt a major bridge at West Virginia, then has had nothing but complaints at Michigan? What a mess in Ann Arbor!
ENJOY YOUR Friday, and as always, GO COUGS!
SUTRA SEZ:
Hello Followers. Hope you’ve had a good week. (For me, its been a GREAT week—We’ve already won two games!!!!!!)
Well, despite some solid diatribes by people like my good friend, and former protégé, Paul Sorenson, this week is not a week to quibble about coaching. After all, as we’ve seen with our injury report, there is no coach in the world that could help our team cover this weekend. And that includes Mike Riley.
Here’s what to expect in this game: Beavs score the first 28 points of the game (all in the first quarter) and Riley empties his bench immediately to save his boys for the real game in two weeks. In turn, his third teamers beat our third teamers (who represent our current 1st string) 35-3. So, put two and two together and you get the final score:
Beavs 63 Cougs 3. Thank god there’s only one game left.
Ducks 42 Mildcats 28. Just when I get on Stoops’ side, he lets me down. Quack make sure the Civil War is for the roses.
USC 21 ASU 17. Red Rover, Red Rover, will Denny move over? You bet.
STAN 42 CAL 21. Punch Toby’s ticket to New York. Stanford will ROLL over that three man front.
OSU 28 Michigan 17. Rodriguez becomes poised to join Denny on the unemployment line.
Enjoy the other games!!!!
LONGBALL SEZ:
Alright Cougar nation, show of hands... who's joining me and Amieable in Martin Stadium this Saturday? I, for one, cannot WAIT to see how this one plays out. You think I'm kidding, right? Well I'm not, because Amieable and I have become very good at finding ways to enjoy Cougar Football Saturday despite what takes place between the goal posts. Most of the time we resort to that age old survival tactic humans have been using forever to make the unbearable, somewhat less unbearable... BOOZE.
This week, however, we are reaching a little deeper into the bag of tricks. That's right folks, its time to play Cougar Football BINGO! It's pretty simple, you just create a couple BINGO cards with various predictable on-field results and check them off as they occur. Of course, once you complete one row or column (or diagonal) then BINGO mo fo's! Some of the items we'll be checking off our BINGO cards:
Lopina INT Lobster INT Beaver kick return for TD Cougar Drive killing penalty Pac-10 referee brain fart 2 man defensive front for the Cougs Longball says dirty words out loud while crying Amieable attempts to gouge her own eyes out with a knitting needle
Well, you get the idea. So if you hear someone yell "BINGO!" from section 23 you'll know whats up. And if you hear it in the 1st quarter, you'll know things have gone just about as I expect them to.
Beavs 55, Cougs 10
Elsewhere Saturday:
CAL @ Stanford - Furd 38, Cal 35 The BIG game, and this year it's pretty big. Stanford has been one of the best teams in the whole gosh darn country the last couple weeks.
Oregon @ AZ - Ducks 45, Cats 28 Setting up the biggest Civil War since 1861! ASU @ UCLA - Bruins 28, Devils 25 Bruins get bowl eligible, only because they are home. And of course...
Ohio State @ Michigan - Bucks 31, Big Blue 24 Obviously Michigan is a bit over-matched this year, but at home in one of the greatest rivalry games in all of sports... anything can happen. Just don't bet on it.
That's it Coug fans, enjoy the games and GO COUGS!
Hey Longball - I'll be at the game with two of my sons. I'm sure they'll be space around where you are sitting, I'll stop by and stay for a while.
My picks:
OSU 45, WSU 7 Arizona 30, Ducks 27 (just have a feeling they'll be an upset here) ASU 3, UCLA 0 Stanford 44, Cal 21 Michigan 20, tOSU 10 (tOSU has already clinched RB)
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ahhh written by Charlie W,
November 20, 2009
That was Dad's Weekend my freshman year. Won't ever forget going down by 10 and looking at my Dad and with us just knowing that we'd win. That is the feeling I miss most. Total confidence. Scott Lunde will always hold a special place in my heart since that game.
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... written by PuyallupCoug,
November 20, 2009
Yup, I remember that game, it was Dad's weekend and I can never forget how much of a STUD Scott Lunde was in that game. He bailed the Cougs out big time. Everyone knew he was going to run that slant over the middle but the Beav's still couldn't stop it. What a great game!
They kept going to Lunde, time and again, and he kept finding that soft spot over the middle! It was like the whole stadium knew it was coming, yet they still couldn't or wouldn't stop it. He took some BLOWS in that game too, wow. That last TD he took an absolute shot, but he held on.
One thing that really stood out was the TD catch by Devard Darling. It's early in the tape, but man, he went up and snagged that thing. That was NFL talent, something we could sure use right now! But I will always, ALWAYS LOVE THAT '03 DEFENSE! Sacks, minimal rushing yards, and tons of takeaways. Just a fun group to watch.
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... written by LucasCoug,
November 20, 2009
Hawk, funny you mentioned Leno. He was in town that night for Dad's Weekend, back in 2003. Also, how could you forget Scott Lunde's two TD catches that day? I believe he had the game winner....
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... written by LucasCoug,
November 20, 2009
Opps, my bad, didn't see everybody else already brought that up. Hahah
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... written by Caleb Cherry,
November 20, 2009
DO NOT watch that video at work or in class on mute. Otherwise you'll miss hearing the name... STEVEN JACKSON.... NOOOOOO GAIN.
I can't help but compare the eye test to us then and now... we still had some small guys back then that just went to work. HOW DO WE GET AN ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT.... from a head coach (that i believe in... I'm not here to dump on Wulff) that just seems to have a lack-luster, airy... "come on guys..... seriously.... lets get angry" about him?
I love my school and football team so much... I WANT TO WIN!!
.... I just had a root canal and am on some pain meds... yes that's a disclaimer. the truth always comes out when you're in post-op or at the Coug at 1am...
Leno's chin was in Pullman? How could they fit it into Beasley? They must have removed the roof and air-lifted it in. (note - I can't stand Leno.
Can I just get into a time machine and go back to '03? Please? The thing I love most about that video is the crowd noise. It's easy to forget how loud Martin can be when everyone is into the game and the team is playing like that. It can really be a great home field advantage when things are going well.
Let's get phase III done, let's keep rebuilding, but let's get back to this level!
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... written by Longball,
November 20, 2009
WSU91, if that is your real name, Come on down! We are row H i believe. I may be wearing one of those brown bags with eyes like fans in those old NFL films lowlights of the Lions, or Buccaneers (or was it the Saints?).
That 03 OSU game was amazing. I was in section 11, right next to the OSU crowd and their band. They were a rowdy bunch and it was back and forth. Gawd I miss good football.
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In your face! written by Portland Coug,
November 20, 2009
Defense defense defense. Good lord were they fast and the hits, holy christ. Look at the pass plays by Anderson and do you ever see him look comfortable? The one where he trips over his own feet see who is first to run by him but Eric Coleman on the safety blitz. That is fear my friends. No sitting back on your heels and letting it happen in front of you. Pin your ears back and hit the crap out of the other guys. And the players look like they having a blast playing it too.
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Brown bag written by WSU91,
November 20, 2009
Lognball: I'm not sure where exactly I'll be getting seats, I think it might be in the student section. But it probably won't matter, so I'll find you at some point.
The brown bag fans were for all three of those teams. And the Seahawks when they were owned by Ken Behring, and coached by Tom Flores. Went 2-14 once, I believe.
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Brown Bagging.. written by trucoug89,
November 20, 2009
is for ugly girls and for NFL fans, not for coug fans. I will personally rip off any paper bags I see at Martin...
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... written by Longball,
November 20, 2009
Leno is coming back to Beasley, folks. Not kidding, i heard the add on the radio.
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Leno written by Chris '04,
November 20, 2009
I was at the Leno show in '03, and it was bad. Now keep in mind, I love Leno and I watch him almost daily now that he is on at 10pm. But his jokes were stale, I'm talking like 10 years stale. He was talking about the Menendez brothers! That would have been timely circa 1995. Anyways, I'd still come to one of his shows if he comes back. Longball, when did the radio ad say he was coming back? Mom's weekend?
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Leno written by CougFan45,
November 20, 2009
Yeah Leno's coming for Mom's weekend. Have to say I'll be staying at home for that one.
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Re: Longball written by Soze,
November 20, 2009
The other fun game is to get your section to bring a bunch of $1 bills... and then gamble on plays.
"3-to-1 odds that we turn the ball over on this play, any takers?"
I did that last year versus Cal, and between drinking my booze and gambling, it was probably the best game I've ever attended. (Hint, taking the odds with turnovers, minus yards, or opposing TDs will give you a net gain in $1's)
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... written by Iron Joe Sampson,
November 20, 2009
I feel an upset in the making on Saturday...
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... written by Yakicoug,
November 20, 2009
You mean you feel an upset stomach in the making on Saturday, right?
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... written by Iron Joe Sampson,
November 21, 2009
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My picks:
OSU 45, WSU 7
Arizona 30, Ducks 27 (just have a feeling they'll be an upset here)
ASU 3, UCLA 0
Stanford 44, Cal 21
Michigan 20, tOSU 10 (tOSU has already clinched RB)