Washington State Cougars 1-10 Overall (0-8 Conference)

This Week’s Score: Oregon State 42 – Washington State 10

Next Week’s Opponent: @Washington

“We felt we were in the game. We had the ball for long periods of time. One play here or there and it would have been a whole different game.” – QB Kevin Lopina

Lopina may sound like a hopeless optimist, but actually, I tend to agree with the above statement (to a point). While the box score from Saturday’s loss to Oregon State looks all too familiar, WSU showed some promising signs of life. At one point late in the third quarter the score was 21-10 OSU, and that was especially impressive considering the Beavers scored on their first three possessions of the game. The Cougs put fourth a commendable effort, and Wazzu fans can only hope that the team is ready to take the next step this Saturday.

There are two players that I think deserve special recognition for their efforts in this game and throughout the season (not counting C Kenny Alfred).

WR Jared Karstetter – Karstetter had another excellent day against OSU (6 catches 72 yards) and the sophomore has now caught 34 passes for 507 yards (14.9 YPC) and 6 TDs in 2009. If you are looking for positives to build on as this program moves forward, look no further than #84. Karstetter is already a reliable target, but its safe to assume the 6-4 receiver is going to be even better in the next two seasons.

P Reid Forrest – A strong argument could be made that Forrest is the Cougars’ MVP, as he trails only Vanderbilit’s Brett Upson for most punts in the country (Forrest has 79, Upson has 81). Forrest ranks 3rd in the Pac-10 with a 43.56 per punt average, and he has done a commendable job under difficult circumstances. He punted eight more times against OSU, with a 38-yard average.

As bad as 2009 has been, a win in Seattle would infuse Paul Wulff’s program with much-needed momentum. Sure the Cougs beat U-Dub last year only to suffer through another terrible season, but winning the Apple Cup for a second straight season would still be massive. It was troubling to see that only 16,167 people attended the OSU game at Martin Stadium, so Wazzu needs something to spark the fan base for next season. You can bet a win over the Dawgs would do just that.

UCLA Bruins (4-5) vs. Washington State Cougars (1-8)
Saturday, November 14, 12:30 PM PST
Las Vegas Favorite: UCLA -18.0

Sam’s Take (43 – 16):

November in Pullman… does it get any better? Excuse the sarcasm, but the near-freezing temperature is just what the doctor ordered for a Cougar squad that is looking for any kind of advantage. UCLA is certainly not used to the cold, so it will be interesting to see how the Bruins handle themselves (especially if snow starts falling).

After a two-month drought, UCLA finally found a way to win their first Pac-10 game of the season by defeating Washington last week. The Bruins did everything they could to hand UW the game (committed five turnovers), but the win kept UCLA’s bowl hopes alive.

I’m sure Rick Neuheisel has been preaching ball security all week in practice, especially with less than ideal weather conditions expected for Saturday. I believe the only way UCLA can lose to WSU is if they turn the ball over frequently, so it wouldn’t surprise me to see Norm Chow go with a relatively conservative game plan.

QB Kevin Prince has been cleared to start this week, which is especially good news for Bruins fans considering the progress that Prince has made as of late. The freshman QB shouldn’t have much trouble dissecting the nation’s 118th ranked passing defense, unless Chow elects to primarily pound the ball on the nation’s 115th ranked run defense. Either way, Wazzu is probably in for a long day.

The Bruins may have to grind this game out for a little while, but I expect Rick Neuheisel’s club to return to sunny Southern California with a chance to become bowl eligible next week.

Prediction: UCLA 33 – Washington State 14

UCLA Player to Keep an Eye On: RB Derrick Coleman – Coleman will get the start this week in place of Jonathan Franklin, and he is the perfect “bad weather” tailback. I expect the 235-pound bruiser to be very effective Saturday.

Washington State Player to Keep an Eye On: C Kenny Alfred – I don’t spotlight o-lineman often, but Alfred is a difference maker who may actually be capable of containing the “unblockable” DT Brian Price.

Dave’s Take (46 – 13):

There isn’t much doubt that UCLA is in the bottom half of the conference; that much is clear because they’ve played everyone but USC in the top half.

Yes they head into this game against Washington State in 9th place in the conference, but the gauntlet of @Stanford, Oregon, Cal, @Arizona, and @Oregon State is the reason why. When they played a team at their level in the bottom half of the conference (Washington), they pulled off the win despite a very ugly game in which they lost the turnover battle 5 to 1.

This week, they play a team they are a level above. Washington State has proven that they simply can not compete in the Pac-10 at this point, and despite the fact that UCLA is not an upper-echelon team, it would take a perfect storm of UCLA at their worst, WSU at their best, and a ton of favorable bounces for the Cougars to walk away with the victory.

Needless to say, I don’t expect that to happen.

Prediction: UCLA 31 – Washington State 10

Arizona State Sun Devils (2-2) vs. Washington State Cougars (1-4)
Saturday, October 10, 2:00 PM PST
Las Vegas Favorite: Arizona State -21.0

Sam’s Take (25 – 12):

Saturday’s game in Pullman could end up deciding the ninth place team in the Pac-10 when the season is all said and done. Washington State continues to play some of the worst football of any BCS team in the country, and ASU’s offense has been so anemic that the Sun Devil fan base is on the verge of full revolt if QB Danny Sullivan isn’t replaced soon (whether that is fair or not is up for debate).

The difference between these two teams, and it’s a big one, is on the defensive side of the ball. Despite the Sun Devils dreadful situation on offense, the explosive defense ranks 3rd nationally, while WSU checks in at 119th.

Paul Wulff may give freshman QB Jeff Tuel the start, but regardless of who lines up under center, the ASU front seven will likely wreak havoc all game. The Devils D-line has taken a lot of heat for its inability to sack the quarterback, and this may be the game that jump-starts DE Dexter Davis and Co.

The Cougar defense is more than capable of holding its own against a lackluster ASU offense that has been plagued by injury (especially on the o-line) and inconsistent play. But, I have a feeling that Sullivan, and possibly a couple of the other ASU QBs, will do enough damage to secure a comfortable road win on the Palouse.

Prediction: Arizona State 38 – Washington State 13

Arizona State Player to Keep an Eye On: QBs Brock Osweiler and Samson Szakacsy- Dennis Erickson hinted that both Osweiler and Szakacsy could see action on Saturday, which is music to the ears of many Sun Devil fans.

Washington State Player to Keep an Eye On: LB Louis Bland- WSU will need to bring pressure from everywhere to rattle the ASU offense, and Bland will be a critical part of the blitz packages.

Dave’s Take (29 – 8):

It’s been two straight disappointing games for the Sun Devils, who still haven’t proven they can compete against top-level teams. Most of the question marks come on the offensive side of the ball; on defense, especially in the front seven, Arizona State looks very strong.

Washington State has scored only 6 points in each of their last two games, and against one of the conference’s premiere defenses, I’m not expecting them to do a whole lot more in this one. The Cougars just don’t have the team speed or strength on the offensive line (with the exception of Kenny Alfred) to compete against a defense of this caliber. The most important thing for Jeff Tuel to work on is getting into good habits early and not turning the ball over.

What will decide whether this game is a blowout or not is the play of the Sun Devils’ offense. Facing one of the nation’s worst defenses, it stands to reason that the offense should do just fine. I think the most important thing the Devils can do in this one is try new things on offense; running a vanilla offense should work just fine on the Cougars, but it won’t help make the team any better moving forward.

Brock Osweiler and/or Samson Szakacsy should get some playing time, and regardless of who is under center, the offense needs to branch out and try some new things. There aren’t any easy ones left on ASU’s  schedule, and if they are going to right this ship, it has to be now.

Prediction: Arizona State 38 – Washington State 10

Listed below are all of the Pac-10 players who were included on the national lists. The only two awards not listed are the Heisman Trophy and the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award. The Heisman Trophy does not release a preseason watch list, and the Unitas Award, which is handed out to the nation’s best senior college quarterback, had no Pac-10 players on their watch list.

Congratulations to the players named, and good luck taking home the hardware!

What hurts more for Cougars fans than re-living last season’s offensive line woes might be looking forward to this season’s. Every starter returns with one glaring exception; the 6′5″ 329 pound Vaughn Lesuma, the biggest man on the line last year for the Cougs. Lesuma’s graduation leaves only one star on the line this season; Center Kenny Alfred.

With Kenny Alfred at center, one thing is for sure; the middle of the line will not be a weakness for the Washington Cougars. Alfred will do his best to lead by example and get the most out of his teammates on the field. On the strategic side of things, Coach Paul Wulff is determined to institute the no huddle offense next season; a project he had to abandon last season due to injury and personnel issues.

With an extra year of experience under his starter’s belts, Wulff hopes that the no huddle offense will be a success this time around; and perhaps if he can keep opposing defenses guessing, he can keep the quarterback on his feet a little more often.

Kenny Alfred holds his ground

Left Tackle:

78 Steven Ayers, 6-4, 315, Sophomore
75 Tyson Pencer, 6-6, 297, Red-shirt Freshman

- Ayers earned his varsity letter last season after starting in five games (and seeing action in six others as well). A former wrestler in high school and a standout student, Ayers has both the mind and the toughness to work in the no-huddle offense if he can build on last season’s experience.

Left Guard:

55 Zack Williams, 6-4, 293, Junior
68 Mike Bruce, 6-4, 304, Sophomore

- The lone new projected starter, JuCo transfer Zack Williams brings three things this line desperately needs; talent, experience, and enthusiasm. Described as an energetic player, Williams was a standout on the line at Glendale College. He received CCCFCA Region III All-American honors, and was also named Glendale College’s offensive MVP and lineman of the year. He has spent his redshirt season in 2008 working hard on his game, and should provide leadership alongside Kenny Alfred.

Center:

69 Kenny Alfred, 6-2, 300, Senior
73 Andrew Roxas, 6-1, 306, Junior

- Kenny Alfred is not only the best player on the line for the Washington State Cougars; he’s the best player on the entire offense. Playing at one of the most underrated positions on the field for a team at the bottom of a largely underrated conference, Alfred truly is a diamond in the rough that will very likely get a look in the pros next season. Last season Alfred started in all 13 games and earned All-Pacific-10 Conference honorable mention honors.

Looking forward to 2009, Alfred has been named to the Rimington Trophy Spring Watch List; a list that focuses on the top centers in the country, one of which will eventually win the trophy honoring the nation’s best center. He is one of only 12 players in the country who have been on the list before, and one of only three on the list in the Pac-10 (Arizona’s Colin Baxter and USC’s Kristofer O’Dowd). Alfred was unable to play during the Spring as he was still recovering from an off-season surgery, but he should be 100% come Fall practices. Alfred will provide leadership and stability throughout 2009.

Right Guard:

72 B.J. Guerra, 6-3, 311, Sophomore
79 Brian Danaher, 6-3, 284, Junior

- Guerra earned valuable experience last season, starting in five games and playing in all 13 games as a red-shirt freshman. Very athletic for his size (was a two sport athlete in high school, earning varsity letters in basketball as well as football), Guerra looks to be the favorite to win the spot over Brian Danahar at this point. Danahar started in eight games last season, and at the very least will provide depth next season.

Right Tackle:

76 Micah Hannam, 6-4, 284, Junior
67 Joe Eppele, 6-8, 306, Junior

- Hannam started in all 13 games last season, the only lineman besides Alfred to do so. Eppele played in 10 games last season, mostly in relief of Hannam. This year will likely go the same way at RT, but the bulk of the playing time will go to the guy who steps up and earns it.

True Freshman Factor:

Sebastian Valenzuela, 6-2, 315
William Prescott 6-5, 280

- As a general rule, you will almost always see Rivals 3-star ranked linemen red-shirt in their freshman year; and that may very well be the case for these two as well. But with the lack of production last year and questionable depth again this year, it isn’t a forgone conclusion yet that Wulff’s pair of solid recruits won’t see playing time in 2009. Especially Valenzuela, who is built like a house and has a ton of power.

My Take

Coach Paul Wulff is enthusiastic about his unit and really seems to believe that last year’s experience will pay off and the line will show a great deal of improvement this season. I have trouble seeing it.

Unlike ASU and UCLA that injected some top-flight young talent into their lines, Washington State is sending out almost the exact same guys that struggled horribly last season. Zach Williams was a great addition and a growth spurt from Ayers and/or Guerra doesn’t seem out of the question, but there are just too many question marks on this line to make me believe that defensive lines won’t find some holes to slip through.

Help is on the way with Valenzuela, Prescott, and some other young players on the depth chart; and Wulff has already locked up another strong recruit for 2010 in John Fullington. But for the present, let’s just try to focus on Kenny Alfred and enjoy his final season in Pullman.