COUGARS

Well, we've finally got our information about SMU culled down to the 20 or so items we run every game day (that's why the page is called Game Day I guess). We kept getting derailed by phone calls and e-mails – and our own inability to focus. Got thinking about the season-long ramifications of tomorrow's outcome, the type and size of crowd that will show up, the weather, all that mundane stuff. And, I was just wondering. How high is a cliff? Ten feet? Fifteen? Just another of those random thoughts running through my head for no reason, like whether or not everyone has a sense of humor. Anyhow, you can read the unedited version of our game-day stuff and our short advance on the link.
••••••••••

• Here are the game-day items …

• WSU game day

Southern Methodist at Washington State

Kickoff: 2 p.m. Martin Stadium

TV: None

Radio: KXLY 920-AM

• Tale of the tape

Washington State Cougars

Record: 0-1 Pac-10, 0-2 Overall

Coach: Paul Wulff, second season

SMU Mustangs

Record: 1-0 Conference USA, 2-0 Overall

Coach: June Jones, second season

• Trends

Last meeting: Never met

Last week: WSU lost to Hawaii, 38-20; SMU defeated UAB, 35-33

Series: First meeting

When the Cougars run: WSU may have not torched the turf yet with its running game – the Cougars' 139 yards per game is seventh in the Pac-10 – but the attack improved against Hawaii. And SMU's rush defense isn't stellar, giving up 145.5 yards a game. The biggest question here is how effective James Montgomery will be – he had 118 yards off the bench against the Warriors – after not practicing all week. Even if he's not up to his Hawaii standard, with Dwight Tardy and Logwone Mitz, the Cougars should move the ball. EDGE: WSU

When the Cougars pass: This has been WSU's strength the first two games, with the Cougars third in the Pac-10, averaging 237 yards a game. Still, coach Paul Wulff has made a change at quarterback, going with sophomore Marshall Lobbestael, saying there is more productivity available from the position. WSU can find it today – SMU gives up 308.5 yards a game – if it holds on to the ball. Even with the 113th-ranked pass defense in the nation, the Mustangs have made life miserably for opponents, especially in third-and-long situations. Their nine interceptions leads the nation. EDGE: SMU

When the Mustangs run: Given the fact SMU runs the pass-crazy run-and-shoot offense you wouldn't think the Mustangs would be much of a threat. But with Miami transfer Shawnbrey McNeal carrying the ball, they are. The 5-foot-10, 195-pound McNeal averages 112.5 yards a game and 5.6 yards a carry. And the WSU defense hasn't stopped many attempts, giving up 212.5 yards a game and 6.2 yards a carry. EDGE: SMU

When the Mustangs pass: The Cougars won't play SMU the same way they played Hawaii – for good reason. Last week the Warriors used the run-and-shoot to run up 489 passing yards and three scores. The Mustangs may not be as prolific as Hawaii yet, but behind second-year starting quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell, they've averaged 277.5 yards a game. Once again the Cougar secondary will be stretched. EDGE: SMU

Coaching/intangibles: The intangibles should always favor the home team, even more so when the visitors are making a 2,000-mile trip to play. Martin Stadium can be a tough place when the Cougar faithful bring their "A" game. June Jones' success at Hawaii shows he's one of the better offensive minds in the country, so on track record alone he gets the nod. But overall, we're going with WSU's fanatical fans. EDGE: WSU

Dealing with the NCAA: Washington State's football programs has had minor runs in with the NCAA sheriffs before – most everyone does – but no institution in the country can compare with SMU. In the mid-1980s, the school – on probation for the sixth time since 1974 – was found to be playing players and lying about it to the NCAA. Bingo. The Mustangs were strung up on the nearest tree, with the football program shut down in 1987 and 1988. The ramifications are still being felt. EDGE: WSU

• 3 things to watch

Keys to today's Washington State-SMU matchup

1. The coin flip: Yes, the opening toss. If the Cougars win it this week, expect them to take the ball. The first two weeks the opposition got the ball first and, less than 4 minutes later, led by a touchdown. From then on the Cougars have been playing catch-up. Given WSU wants to run the ball and the clock, a long, game-opening drive would be the perfect way for the Cougars to start. Maybe they can make their opponent play from behind for once.

2. WSU's secondary: The Cougars' schemes last week against Hawaii took two huge early blows when Andy Mattingly was banged up on the opening kickoff and LeAndre Daniels was knocked out for the year in the first quarter. Mattingly should be back close to 100 percent. Plus, three reserves return, safeties Eric Block and Jay Matthews and cornerback Aire Justin. This gives the Cougars a few more players to rotate in against SMU's receiving corps. After last week's debacle, expect WSU to attack with a different game plan today.

3. Quarterback play: Washington State is going to have chances to move the ball. There will be open holes and open receivers. Now it's up to Marshall Lobbestael and possibly freshman Jeff Tuel to take advantage, getting WSU in the right play and making the right pass at the right time. If they do, the Cougars should improve greatly on their 16.5 points per game average. If they don't, the won't have a chance to improve on their 0-2 record.

• 3 names to know

EMMANUEL SANDERS

SMU WIDE RECEIVER

In two games Sanders, a 5-11, 180-pound senior, has already caught 17 passes for 214 yards. The biggest upset, however, is he's only grabbed one touchdown pass. After all, he's the NCAA active leader in touchdown catches with 28 (also the SMU career record). Plus, he's returning punts this season, taking one back 79 yards for a score against Stephen F. Austin. "He's going to be a challenge," WSU coach Paul Wulff said. "He's a really good football player and that's somebody we're going to have to keep a close eye on."

MARSHALL LOBBESTAEL

WSU QUARTERBACK

Lobbestael seemed to be the quarterback of the future last year, when he made three starts, completed better than 50 percent of his passes and threw for four touchdowns. But his redshirt freshman season ended in Corvallis when he went down with a knee injury. He's worked his way back and now he gets a starting shot. In a reserve role this season, he's not played as well as he would like, completing 10 of 19 passes with one interception and no touchdowns.

ROCK DENNIS

SMU STRONG SAFETY

We challenge you to find a better football name than Dennis', especially considering the senior is 5-9 and 180 pounds. Built like a rock is one thing, but Dennis also hits like one, having posted 13 tackles in the first two games, including eight in the season opener. He's also shown a nose for the football, roaming around the secondary to come up with three interceptions, tied for third nationally. Against UAB, Dennis returned his interception 25 yards.

• This and that from today's game …

Both teams are young. SMU has 11 underclassmen listed as starters while WSU has seven. ... Cougar sophomore Dan Spitz may make his first career start today, replacing injured senior Kevin Kooyman at defensive end. ... Mustang starting running back Shawnbrey McNeal played last year at Miami. He was declared eligible this season by the NCAA due to "mitigating personal circumstances." ... WSU's 2009 opponents have a 19-4 record going into this week. ... Aldrick Robinson and Emmanuel Sanders combined for 2,005 yards and 20 receiving touchdowns last season, most for two receivers in SMU history. ... Legend has it Lee Iacocca decided to name Ford's new sports car the Mustangs after watching SMU battle Michigan in 1963. ... It's been 10 years since the Cougars have had a field goal of longer than 50 yards (Ryan Lindell vs. Oregon State in 1999). ... WSU's mascot, Butch T. Cougar, is part of the Capitol One Mascot Challenge. Fans can vote at www.capitalonebowl.com.

•••

• And here's our preview story ...

PULLMAN – It's been a long road back for Marshall Lobbestael.

But the redshirt sophomore from Oak Harbor, Wash., hasn't let the potholes along the journey from last October 11 in Corvallis to today at Martin Stadium derail him.

Lobbestael started his third career game that night at Oregon State. He didn't finish it. OSU defensive end Slade Norris took care of that with one blow to Lobbestael's legs, tearing two ligaments in his left knee.

From throwing in a chair to running in a pool, Lobbestael made the most of his time over the winter and spring. By spring practice he was drilling but not scrimmaging. In August he was ready to go.

But still without a strong base, Lobbestael struggled to regain his accuracy and senior Kevin Lopina earned the starting nod the first two games.

After last week's 38-20 loss to Hawaii, though, WSU coach Paul Wulff made a change. Lobbestael will start today against Southern Methodist (2-0 overall and 1-0 in Conference USA play).

"Marshall's done a good job," Wulff said of Lobbestael's preparation. "It's the first time he's had the opportunity to take this many reps, so it's been good for him."

Lobbestael may need the reps, because SMU's defense, though porous when it comes to yardage, leads the nation with nine interceptions.

"They are going to throw a lot of looks at us," said Lobbestael, named captain by the team this week. "They play fast and they play hard. We've just got to man them up and execute our game plan."

"They were opportunistic in the first two games," offensive coordinator Todd Sturdy said of the Mustangs. "When it was thrown to them, they caught it, and took advantage of those things."

No matter how Lobbestael performs – he's 10 of 19 for 114 yards, no touchdowns and one interception in a reserve role – there is a bottom line. It rests on the success of the Cougars (0-2 overall, 0-1 in Pac-10 play).

"I hope Marshall has a hell of a game," Sturdy said. "And I hope he leads the Cougars to victory."

"The most important thing right now is just getting a win," Lobbestael added.

•••

• That's it for today. We'll be back in the morning with more on SMU and coach June Jones, our spin around the Pac-10 and some thoughts on the game. Until then I hope everyone has a good Friday night …

---

---