Gold star for the Cougars?

Hey Coug fans! Congrats! You're Apple Cup Champions!

In was has otherwise been a disappointing season, Washington State Cougars can at least hang their hat on the fact that they defeated their cross-state rivals. The University of Washington may be headed to a bowl game, but they won't have bragging rights over their smaller sibling. They choked this game away against an opponent that just wanted it more.

But lets turn the blame a little bit. WSU played inspired. Never gave up, even when down 18 points in the fourth quarter. They made the big plays. They had energy. Where was this team all year long?

They've literally been walking corpses throughout the entire Pac-12 slate, and you're telling me that Washington just played a stinker of a game? Other than the morbid offense that they have had all season, this was the same Huskies squad that's been good enough to be ranked nationally. So why can't the Cougs do this for a full season?

Embattled (and apparently "abusive") Cougars coach Mike Leach has said all season long that his team lacks mental toughness. They lacked that under Paul Wulff. They proved it again this year. Any Washington State fan who is truly a fair observer of the game of football understands that these kids were not very likable this season. Hit a little adversity in a game and they crumbled.

It was an epidemic, no wonder Leach called them "corpses."

Now, when they actually have a little fire in their belly, they defeat one of the country's better teams? You've got to be kidding me Cougs. You've had this in you all along?

Hopefully Leach can establish a tougher mentality. Fans have better hope he does because they're going to need it in the very tough Pac-12 Conference. Unless the only game you want to win is the Apple Cup, the players need to be more juiced, more often.

Paul Wulff fired

It wasn't a surprise when news broke today that Paul Wulff had been fired.

A report on KXLY shows that some WSU fans (Yes, apparently there are a few of those. Three actually) had mixed reactions when they learned of the firing.

No decision has been made on who will be the next coach of the Cougars. But one thing is for sure, now he won't be able to buy a new hat that's one size bigger.

Seriously, it's way too small!

Pac-12 Football Championship Game

Fall is here and football is in full swing. And as if I'm not excited enough for college football every week, I now see a commercial for the Pac-12 Football Championship Game.

I can't wait!

What is Paul Wulff saying in this photo?

"Stick with me and this team and you'll probably be playing for a new coach next year."

"The best teams sometimes finish last or in our case, always finish last."

"We're not as bad as you think we are. We just don't win very many games."

"Anyone got UW to win the Pac-12 in a conference gambling pool?"

"Remember, the Cougars used to be good at football. With the emphasis being on 'used to'"

"If you party and get drunk, I don't care, because it will probably help you deal with the pain on Saturdays."

"Good news, Jake Locker isn't on the Huskies anymore."

"The bad news is... a bunch of other Div. I-A football players are."

"Sooo if you would, send out my resume to anyone you know..."

Add your comments below!

WSU spring football in Spokane

Spring football at Washington State University kicks off on March 7th.

But the big twist this year is that the spring practices will end in Spokane.

On April 16th WSU will play their Crimson and Gray Game in Joe Albi Stadium.

But that's not all. WSU is really trying to get Spokane on the Cougar-wagon.

Besides the Crimson and Gray Game, WSU will be in Spokane for two other events that week. On April 11, the brand new football uniforms that Nike has created for the Cougars will be unveiled, and on April 15 and 16 Paul Wulff and his staff will conduct a coaches’ clinic at the Red Lion Hotel downtown.

All I can say is good luck WSU.

Spokane doesn't even support the University with the NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP football team that is just down the road.

That's right, that would be the Eastern Washington University Eagles. Your 2010 FCS National Champions. And Spokane can't get together and get people into the seats at Roos Field. Even during the playoffs.

Over three playoff games Eastern Washington had a cumulative attendance of 14,325. By comparison Montana State had one playoff game and an attendence of 14,277. That's right, it took EWU three games to top the attendance of one game in Bozeman.

Still not convinced? Delaware, who Eastern Washington University beat in the championship game had a cumulative attendance of 32,736.

Yet WSU, by far the worst team in the new PAC-12, is trying to establish a presence in Spokane.

Good luck with that WSU. Good luck with that.

Hooray Cougars!

I like how when this happens to Gonzaga players, we go absolutely apesh**, but when it's Washington State players, well you know...

PULLMAN, Wash. -- Washington State starting point guard Reggie Moore has been suspended indefinitely by coach Ken Bone.


Moore was in street clothes as Washington State beat Stanford on Saturday.


Moore last month received two misdemeanor citations in Whitman County involving marijuana and drug paraphernalia. The Whitman County prosecutor's office said Moore was cited after a Dec. 11 search of a dormitory room. Other details were not available.


The charges each carry mandatory minimums of one day in jail and a fine that usually ranges between $250 and $500.

It could be worse though, it could be the WSU football team instead.

Elephant predicts 2010 Apple Cup winner

Chai, one of Woodland Park Zoo's Asian elephants, predicts the winner of the 2010 Apple Cup football game between the Huskies and the Cougars. At the end, he stomps on the loser.

Top that Brandon.

Apple Cup week

I love college sports. More than professional by a long shot. As a kid you claim a University and that's the team you root for. Then you grow up and maybe you go to a different University for school. Well, you still root for your old favorite team, but you now have a special place in your heart for your alma mater. And fans of your rival, well they might be your friends but for a few hours one day each year when the two teams meet, the trashtalk flys and the rivalry spurns. But it's all in good fun.

Take Brandon and I for example. I grew on the westside of Washington and before I could walk I was a Husky Pup.

Brandon grew up on the eastside of Washington and unfortunately became a WSU fan.

However, we both went to Eastern Washington and our Eagle pride outshines all. But once a year our favorite FBS teams meet in the Apple Cup.

Since Brandon already got an anti-Husky post up, I figured I would post why I hate the Cougars. But then I figured, why do that? Why not just compare the two programs and let the stats and numbers speak for themselves.

Sure UW fans haven't had a lot to cheer about in the last 5 years, but then again, neither have the WSU fans. With a win on Saturday UW goes to a bowl game, and with a win on Saturday WSU goes to a....oh wait....3 wins doesn't get you to a bowl game?

Let's start with the Apple Cup itself. This game hasn't really been a battle for the length of the rivalry. The Huskies lead with a 65-31-6 record. UW has won eight consecutive Apple Cups twice (1959–66 and 1974–81) while WSU's longest win streak is two.

UW won last years game 30-0.

Now on to National Championships. UW claims four (1960, 1984, 1990, 1991) while WSU has a big ol' ZERO.

As for bowl games well the numbers aren't even close. WSU has been to 10 bowl games in the history of the program while UW has been to 30.

And let's not forget about the Granddaddy of them all in the Rose Bowl. WSU has made it to four coming away with only a win only once, and that was in the 1916 game. UW has gone to 14 Rose Bowl games and won it seven times. Most recently in 2001.

This weekend will mark the first time in years that the game has more on the line than just state bragging rights. And that is thanks to UW with their possible bowl birth on the line. Well I guess that's not totally true. A win by the Cougars might buy Paul Wulff another year with the program.

I'm sure Just South of North will have more posts throughout the week before the Apple Cup. But one thing that is for sure is come Saturday I'll be rooting on the Dawgs and Brandon will be rooting on the Cougs. A blog divided.

Paul Wulff not on hot seat?

According to SWX, Paul Wulff isn't worried about his job:

Washington State coach Paul Wulff doesn't think the Cougars have to win at least one of their final three games in order for him to retain his job.

Wulff believes his rebuilding program is progressing and that the team has played to its potential for much of the season.

The Cougars, who are 1-8 and 0-6 in the PAC-10, took a 42-0 beating last week at Arizona State. Their lone win came on a 23-22 victory over FCS Montana State. On top of that WSU has lost 15 straight PAC-10 games.

I personally don't think that Wulff is as cool as he makes it seem. I mean who wouldn't be worried with a 4-30 record since taking over at WSU. The truth is that rebuilding takes time and he took over a terrible team. I'd say give him another season and if at this time next year WSU still doesn't have a PAC-10 win and doesn't have a win over an FBS team, then it might be time for Wulff to start printing off some resumes.

Yet the seat is still hot. I guess we'll see in the next few weeks.

The Coug Cow

Yesterday we were traveling home down I-90 and passed a camper. But not just any camper. This one was the Cow. Or, "Cougs on Wheels."

Very strange.

University of Hawaii joins PAC 10

Ok, ok. So maybe the title of this post hasn't exactly happened yet but hear me out.

I recently got NCAA Football 2011 and started a dynasty with the Hawaii Warriors.

In my first season I finished second in the WAC with a loss in the New Mexico Bowl. In my second season I won the WAC and finished the season with a victory in the Emerald Bowl.

But the big news came at the end of that season.

A neat feature in the game is that at the end of the season you get offers from other schools to come coach for them. But at the end of the second season Hawaii got an offer to leave the WAC for the PAC 10 because the PAC 10 wanted rid of WSU.

No joke.

So of course I took the offer and moved Hawaii to the PAC 10. And WSU consequently got put in the WAC.

Now here's why that would make sense in the real world. WSU is terrible but during the third season they are currently leading the WAC with a 5-3 record.

In the PAC 10 they are hard fought to even put points on the board, but in the WAC they'd stand a chance. And it's not like they dominate in other sports either, so as a whole it'd benefit the athletic department.

As for Hawaii they'd put up much more of a fight than WSU has in football. Sure both lost to USC but Hawaii was in it for the whole game until a few mistakes cost them the win and they lost 49-36.

However USC crushed WSU 50-16.

So Hawaii lost by 13 and WSU lost by 34.

And that's not just for football. In volleyball Hawaii is currently 14-1 and ranked number 5 in the nation. Which is ahead of all but one PAC 10 school with Stanford being number 1.

Where's WSU? Well they currently are 6-8 and sitting in a nice 9th place in the PAC 10.

This move would only make sense. I say that the PAC 10 take a vote and kick Pullman into the WAC. Or worse yet, but possible more appropriately, Division 2 and the Great Northwest Athletic Conference.

Oh wait. But then Central Washington would beat them all the time.

College football in Washington

College football season kicks off in just a few weeks. And that means that the state of Washington will once again become divided. Huskies vs. Cougars. Cougars vs. Huskies. Either way, you have to pick just one.

In case you're not partial to either team, I figured it was a good time to get some facts about each school out there that have been bouncing around in the media as of late.

Washington has been singing the praises of Steve Sarkisian since, in his first year at UW, he lead the Dawgs from a dismal (to say the least) 0-12 season to a 5-7 record with a landmark win over powerhouse USC.

The future isn't looking as bright for Sarkisian's WSU counterpart Paul Wulff. In Wulff's two seasons at WSU he has a gruesome 3-22 record. The fact is that Wulff is on the hot seat. By hot seat I mean that the seat has been lite on fire and if he can't do things fast this year I don't see him coming back for a fourth year. (And could someone find him a larger hat!!!) The problem for Wulff is that the Cougars are predicted to be terrible. Their defense is awful. Just awful. Last season they gave up 6,144 yards in 12 games, which converts to 3½ miles. And along with all those yards, the Cougars also gave up a ton of points. They allowed 30 points or more in nine games. Perhaps these are a few of the reasons that Maxim dubbed the WSU Cougars THE WORST team in college football for the 2010 season. Sorry Coug fans.

On a brighter note for the state of Washington, UW has a Heisman candidate on their roster. And it's no surprise that candidate is none other than THE Jake Locker. ESPN has him slated at number two starting the season:

2. Jake Locker, Washington: The NFL loves the quarterback's skills. The Dawg fans just love him. The Heisman voters won't love this senior unless the Huskies return to the winning ways of yore.

Speaking of the Huskies winning this season they have a HUGE game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers on September 18. Lincoln, Nebraska is already talking about the National Championship parade and even Brian Griese says that the nation will be all about the "Big Red". And won't have any problems in Seattle. Eventually going 11-1. A win over these "touted Huskers" would do wonders for Sarkisian and the Dawgs season. Not to mention cause the midwest to implode.

Let's not forget how the 1991 Washington Huskies went into Lincoln and blew-up the Huskers hopes for a National Championship. UW beat NU 36-21Husker Nation still hates UW because of that. Oh, and the fact that instead UW raised the National Champion banner.



With one team on the rebuild and one sinking further into the cellar, it's sure to be an interesting season. I'm just glad football is back!

Epic Photo: How many wins do these guys have?

I mean, I guess when you're the mascot of a really bad team you have to hang out with mascots of other really bad teams.

WAZZU: The team that kind of sucked this year

It didn't seem like it, but the Cougars finished last in Pac-10 for men's basketball. Not something you want to happen when your football team is also a doormat as well. However, despite the supposed disappointing season, the Cougs still finished 16-15. Good sign for the future?

SPOKANE, Wash. -- Coach Ken Bone didn't expect to finish last in his first season at Washington State, but he says a couple of breaks in close games would have lifted the Cougars into the thick of the Pac-10 race.

"It hurts to look at the standings and see we finished 10th," Bone said this week. "That stings me a little bit."

Washington State (16-15, 6-12 Pac-10) could have finished in the middle of the muddled Pac-10 most of the season. Their six conference wins were the most ever for a last-place team in the league.

"It just doesn't seem like we were that far off," Bone said. "We win two more games, and there were at least a couple games we definitely could have won, and now, all of a sudden, we finish in the middle of the pack."

The Cougars were one of the youngest teams in the nation, featuring only one senior in Nik Koprivica, and no juniors.

Two teams that are going to be much improved next year in the Northwest is the Eastern Washington Eagles and WAZZU. You have two super-young squads with legit stars on the team. All it takes is some reps and they'll get their feet under them. 

Just how bad is this year's Apple Cup? The Spokesman has you covered...

As if we needed anymore reinforcement about how terrible this year's matchup between the Washington Huskies and the Washington State Cougars is going to be - the Spokesman lays out the numbers and their not good.

SEATTLE – The 102nd version of the Apple Cup – for the uninitiated, the annual rivalry football game between Washington State University and the University of Washington – will take place this afternoon in Seattle.

And for the second consecutive year it will match two of the nation’s poorest teams, if records and statistics mean anything.

In the challenger corner is WSU, 1-10 overall and winless after eight Pac-10 games. Out of 120 Football Bowl Subdivision schools, the top echelon of college football, the Cougars are in the bottom 10 in 11 of the 17 major statistical categories the NCAA keeps.

The home Huskies, who were winless last season, including a 16-13 double-overtime Apple Cup defeat in Pullman, are better at 3-7 overall and 2-5 in the Pac-10. Washington is in the bottom 10 of the NCAA statistics in just one category – kickoff returns – but is in the bottom 20 in three more, including total defense.

Ick. I might just end up watching a Big 10 game, this one looks ugly.

WSU plays against a school I've never heard of

After squeaking by Eastern Washington a few days ago, the Washington State Cougars men's basketball team continue their (cough cough) tough non-conference schedule against...

University of Indiana - Purdue University Fort Wayne.

Huh? Is this school like in five different places at once? I'm so confused.

I understand that WSU plays in the Pac-10 and expects a down-year, so they don't need to nor want to play a tough non-conference schedule but didn't you already play two cupcakes in Eastern and Mississippi Valley State?

Who's up after this game? Central Washington University - Colville Branch?

On second thought, maybe the football team should schedule some of these teams.

ESPN says Wulff is on the hot seat

Here's what the ESPN Pac-10 Blog has to say about Paul Wulff being on the hot seat...

The likelihood is the Cougars will go winless in the Pac-10 this year and Wulff's record will stand at 3-22 when his second season concludes. That. Is. Not. Good. Duh. Wulff inherited an empty cupboard of talent. He's had huge injury issues and had to play young players before they were ready. But fans are impatient. It wasn't too long ago that the Cougs were on a run of three consecutive top-10 rankings. Washington State will need to improve next year, which means win a few games. That won't be easy because the Pac-10 looks like it will be even more rugged in 2010 than in 2009.

Seat rating: toasty. 

I think perhaps on the outside it may look like Wulff is about to get shown the door but if you really look at the program and the position that it was in before he got there. Doba had one of the best quarterbacks and wide reciever corps in school history and largely had a .500 team. After he was fired, there was nothing... and I mean nothing left in the cupboard. I can't stress how unathletic WSU looks. Other than a few kids, the marjority of this team doesn't pass the eye test against Eastern Washington, much less the Pac-10. And in that conference, you're just not going to be able to do anything in horrible down swings like this.

Factor in Wulff's contact and the prospect of rebuilding again and it's not likely at all. 

Local football blowouts

Other than EWU's victory over Southern Utah, it was a terrible day for local college football. Look at this lineup of blowouts...

Idaho 25, #6 Boise St. 63 - The Vandals didn't have a shot in this one, and the Broncos continue to roll towards a BCS Bowl.

UCLA 43, Washington St. 7 - Looks like the Cougars are up to their old tricks, absolutely stinking at football. Seriously, why even show up to the games anymore when all you're going to do is get blown out by 30 every single game?

Washington 21, #23 Oregon St. 48 - Again, the Huskies show that this was not the year of the Dawg, but rather a dog year for UW.

Why should we even wake up on Saturdays? This is ridiculous and pathetic.

Purple and Gold Day

What do you think they declare for the Washington State University homecoming? Run and Hide Day? The Season Isn't Over Yet Day? Awwww.....Crap Day?

In celebration of the University of Washington's Homecoming weekend, and the football game against Oregon, Gov. Chris Gregoire has proclaimed that Friday, Oct. 23, will be "Purple and Gold Day'' in the state of Washington. (Yes, apparently even in the Palouse).

Gregoire is a 1971 UW grad and has issued a "Purple and Gold'' proclamation each of the last three years.

"The University of Washington has a rich history of academic excellence, groundbreaking research, winning athletics, and life-changing innovation,'' the proclamation reads. "I urge all citizens to don purple and gold in honor of this world-class institution.''

What a Tuel

At WSU, they like to gently work young talent along and develop them until they're absolutely ready.

That's why true freshman Jeff Tuel got thrown to the wolves against USC last week and will hopping from the frying pan into the fire against Oregon at Autzen Stadium this weekend.

No pressure, kid.

Actually from what we saw from Tuel against USC, this might be the spark that the Cougars are looking for. Not this season. Seriously? You think there's any hope whatsoever for this season? What Cougar-shine have you been drinking? We're talking about the future. Hope you brought your time machine.

Paul Wulff developed Erik Meyer and Matt Nichols at Eastern Washington, both throwing them out on the field early in their collegiate career. They may not win this year, but Wulff knows how to turn these young guys into eventual winners.

Say hello to the the start of the Jeff Tuel era.