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2016 College Football

Confidence evident at WSU, but Cougs are far from finished

Don’t let anybody tell you that people aren’t paying attention to Washington State football. The evidence is overwhelming. Season ticket sales are up by 2,000 from a comparable point last season, and will likely break the school record, which is believed to be just under 14,000. Read

Alex Grinch not resting on laurels

WSU’s defensive coordinator search following the 2014 season lasted longer than anyone predicted, and was more successful than any but the true Pollyannas dared to dream. Read

WSU by the numbers

24: Turnovers forced by the WSU defense after forcing only eight in 2014. New defensive coordinator Alex Grinch emphasized takeaways in his first season and the Cougars tripled their previous season total. Read

EWU by the numbers

73: Wins by EWU coach Beau Baldwin since he took over the program in 2008. Baldwin is 73-30 overall and 50-14 in Big Sky Conference games, tops for any Eastern coach. Read

It all comes together for Vandals QB Matt Linehan

Scott and Kristen Linehan could see it in their oldest son. They could see he had what it takes to be a successful college quarterback – the natural leadership, the drive, the tall (but still skinny) frame. Matt Linehan just needed a school to give him an opportunity. Read

Mike Breske has high hopes for deeper Idaho defense

Mike Breske’s last two defensive coordinator jobs have been on the Palouse, first at Washington State and now at Idaho. If you’re wondering if he has a fondness for the area’s rolling wheat fields or chose UI so he could stay in the region, think again. Read

UI by the numbers

5,000+: The Vandals’ offense has garnered most of the headlines in the preseason, but the team could use a pick-me-up from the defense. Last year, Idaho opponents gobbled up nearly 6,000 yards of offense. It marked the ninth consecutive season that the UI defense gave up at least 5,000 yards. Read

Whitworth returns plenty of firepower

The Whitworth Pirates pillaged every opponent they faced last year, save one monster that continues to bully the program, as it embraces the expectation of becoming the dominant Division III football program in the Northwest. Read

Defensive coordinator Adam Richbart likes Whitworth’s depth

When Whitworth hired Rod Sandberg to lead the football program in December 2013, the first coach he brought on board was Adam Richbart. Sandberg coached Richbart when he played at Wheaton College (Illinois) and then brought him to Spokane to help rebuild the Pirates’ defense. Read

Whitworth by the numbers

41st: When adding in the 519 yards quarterback Ian Kolste added on the ground, he averaged 270.8 yards per game in total yards, which ranked 41st in the nation. Read

UW’s offensive philosophy? It depends on the situation

In a Pac-12 North Division where their rivals rely on signature offensive styles, the Huskies’ offense isn’t easily labeled. It’s not Washington State’s Air Raid passing attack. It’s not Oregon’s blur tempo. It’s not Stanford’s pound-you-into-submission force. Those characterizations might be overly simplified – no offense is entirely one thing – but there isn’t a simple descriptor for the Huskies’ offense. Read

Brett Rypien takes preparation to new level at Boise State

This summer, Brett Rypien had a nightmare. He talked to his father, Tim, the next morning. “Apparently in it, he wasn’t prepared for the Washington State game,” Tim said. “That’s pretty ironic in a lot of ways.” Boise State’s sophomore quarterback will be more than ready for the Sept. 10 home opener against the Cougars, where his uncle, Mark, starred before launching an 11-year NFL career. Read

Notable player comebacks

The most stirring comeback of the college football season already has taken place. Less than a year after his cancer diagnosis, Pittsburgh running back and 2014 Atlantic Coast Conference player of the year James Conner rejoined his teammates for training camp. Read