Cougs not whistling past the graveyard
LOS ANGELES – If laughter truly is the best medicine, then maybe Washington State head football coach Bill Doba has the right idea.
After all, with a current four-game losing streak, expected to extend to five today by almost everyone as they travel to play No. 1 USC, there may not be much else left for the Cougars.
So, this is how Doba suggests the Cougars will go about trying to end the Trojans’ 29-game winning streak:
“I think the best way to attack USC is to attack them in the tunnel before they get to the field,” he said, adding that it’s the only place where containing running back extraordinaire Reggie Bush is feasible.
Here’s his take on USC dropping to No. 2 this week in the BCS despite being No. 1 in all three polls:
“The BCS doesn’t help us by giving them a battle cry and dropping them to No. 2, for gosh sakes,” he said. “I know the computer picked them No. 2, but the computer’s not watching video.”
Don’t forget his doomed strategy of an onside kick to open last year’s game against the Trojans, a move that backfired and helped spot USC a 14-0 lead before WSU got the ball. Could he do it again?
“No onside kick,” he said, before thinking twice. “That would really fool them, wouldn’t it, after last year? If we wanted to be unconventional and risky, that would be the thing to do, an onside kick.”
No joke, however, can change reality. The Cougars, 3-4 overall and 0-4 in the Pacific-10 Conference, need a win. The schedule-makers have delivered them to perhaps the least likely place in all of college football to get one. WSU is good on offense this season; USC is great. WSU is bad on defense; USC is at least mediocre.
The biggest mismatch should be the star-powered USC offense squaring off against a defense that’s given up 86 points in the last two games.
“There are a lot of openings in there,” Trojans wide receiver Steve Smith said, “where we feel like we can find some holes and make some big-time plays.”
Countered WSU defensive backs coach Ken Greene: “If we make mistakes, that’s definitely a possibility. Hopefully, we’ve corrected some things.”
If not, given USC’s recent history and newfound BCS-provided motivation, the Trojans fight song could be a popular selection in the Los Angeles Coliseum before a network television audience.
Even Doba won’t find anything funny about that.
Notes
The identity of WSU’s punt returner remains a mystery with Michael Bumpus out. Cornerback Lorenzo Bursey is the leading candidate, but his availability today will be determined at game time because of a shoulder injury. If he can’t go, expect Trandon Harvey to field punts. (If the WSU defense forces any.). … Defensive tackle Ropati Pitoitua’s formerly broken leg swelled up during the week, prompting some concern. But the sophomore appears to be fine and will play today. … Starting cornerback Omowale Dada is also a game-time decision today. If he can’t start, Don Turner will take his place matching up against Dwayne Jarrett or Steve Smith. … Tight end Jesse Taylor, injured in practice this week, did not make the trip, moving Bryan Baird onto the travel squad. … Will Derting, still working his way back from a knee injury, again traveled with the team for emotional support.