Washington State football chat transcript - 9/5
The live chat takes place from 10-11 a.m. every Wednesday throughout the season. Submit your questions below.
Sep 5, 10:00 AM
srchat (Admin): Welcome back to week two of the live chat. I already see a few questions in the queue, so let’s get going. Thanks for joining me as always.
Sep 5, 10:00 AM
Uncle Larry (Guest): When was the last time the Cougs were a 34.5 point favorite?
Sep 5, 10:03 AM
srchat (Admin): I imagine you’d have to go back a ways. Checked the last few years and games against Nevada, Idaho and Portland State were all below 34.5.
Sep 5, 10:03 AM
Guest7156 (Guest): Seems like leach sometimes opts wait until conference play to roll out new wrinkles. We’ve seen the big gulp, which seems like more of a side act than fundamental shift to the air raid, can we expect any more wrinkles? Maybe using a fullback?
Sep 5, 10:05 AM
srchat (Admin): I wouldn’t be surprised if we saw a few Big Gulp Left a few more times. Seems like there’s a few different options out of that play, so keep an eye out. They have utilized fullback Clay Markoff here and there, so also wouldn’t be shocked to see him in a goal line, 4th-and-short situation.
Sep 5, 10:05 AM
wsuWR: It looked like to me WR Tay Martin did not come out of game on offense very much. Typically in Leach system he will substitute WR every two plays. Is Tay the exception to this because he is a dominant player? If I remember correctly Gabe Marks would do similar rotation in the fact he would only come off field if he was tired.
Sep 5, 10:08 AM
srchat (Admin): True. Tay’s backup, Rodrick Fisher, was listed as a game participant but I believe only played on special teams. I think you’ll still see some rotation there at the “X” position, but not nearly as much as the other outside spot, where Easop Winston and Dezmon Patmon subbed in and out pretty frequently.
Sep 5, 10:08 AM
pnwcoug: Is there any other RB that will touch the ball next week besides Williams and Borghi?
Sep 5, 10:08 AM
srchat (Admin): Keith Harrington will probably get a few touches.
Sep 5, 10:08 AM
Uncle Larry (Guest): Was the O line better than expected or is Wyoming D line not that good? How can we expect the O line to play in Pac 12 play?
Sep 5, 10:10 AM
srchat (Admin): Wyoming’s D-line was supposedly the strength of the Cowboys’ defense. If so, that’s a pretty good sign for the Coug OL. I’m sure they’ll run into some trouble against the USCs and UWs of the world, but you couldn’t have imagined a better start for that group.
Sep 5, 10:11 AM
Guest7156 (Guest): Chances of Cammon Cooper getting reps vs SJSU? or would Tinsley still be first off the bench?
Sep 5, 10:12 AM
srchat (Admin): Yeah, I’d still expect a lot of Tinsley and Gordon in this game. Those would be Minshew’s primary backups and it would make sense to get them a ton of reps in case anything ever happened to the starter.
Sep 5, 10:13 AM
Guest7156 (Guest): Should we expect this recruiting cycle to just be a whiff (4 current commits) due to coaching turnover?
Sep 5, 10:16 AM
srchat (Admin): It doesn’t look promising so far, but I’d also imagine it picks up at some point as the new coaches get into more homes and build up their recruiting base.
Sep 5, 10:18 AM
wsuWR: With the athleticism iof Dillard and Lucas on the O-Line, would there be a “Ninja” formation sighting this year? Help create more space for our really good running backs and receivers.
Sep 5, 10:18 AM
srchat (Admin): You may need to fill me in on the “Ninja” formation…
Sep 5, 10:18 AM
pnwcoug: I’m going to the Oct 20th WSU vs Oregon game, what is your prediction for both teams records at that time?
Sep 5, 10:20 AM
srchat (Admin): I think both will be 4-2 (WSU losses to Utah and USC, Oregon losses to Stanford and UW)
Sep 5, 10:20 AM
Guest9362 (Guest): I barely heard Pelleurs name mentioned in the Wyoming game. Was the Wyoming offense avoiding him or what?
Sep 5, 10:25 AM
srchat (Admin): In general it seemed the inside linebackers were a little less involved than usual. Woods and Pelluer each had four tackles, so they did their job, but generally speaking I don’t think there were as many plays for them to make.
Sep 5, 10:25 AM
Guest7156 (Guest): 2019…is that the year leach breaks through? Washington should (should) be rebuilding, Stanford loses Love, Oregon loses Herbert, does WSU have the players for next year?
Sep 5, 10:28 AM
srchat (Admin): Lot of pieces (presumably) returning and don’t forget about Lamonte McDougle on the defensive line. QB could be the big question mark again, but four starters return on the OL plus Borghi/Williams and most of the WRs (Martin, Bell, Calvin, Harris, Patmon, Winston, Fisher, Arconado, etc.) And yes, the rest of the P-12 North could be down a bit, though those teams always seem to reload.
Sep 5, 10:28 AM
JFMCOUGS (Guest): With the lack of depth on the D line why are we hearing more from upperclassmen Hunter Mattox and Kingston Hernandez, both have great size?
Sep 5, 10:31 AM
srchat (Admin): Mattox played well in the first fall scrimmage, so thought we’d see more of him, but I think they like Hobbs and Echevarria. Between those two, Will Rodgers III and Logan Tago, there may not be a ton of playing time for the guys you mentioned.
Sep 5, 10:31 AM
NLS07 (Guest): I see Josh Watson was at RG rather than Valencia. Does this look like a permanent move for the year? It is very shocking considering how highly touted Valencia was in last years class and it seemed he had things figured out coming into the year.
Sep 5, 10:36 AM
srchat (Admin): I’m not sure if it’s permanent but it came as a surprise to me as well. I was sure Watson was the starter at LG coming out of spring camp, but Ryan overtook him there in the fall. Meanwhile, it seemed Valencia was locked in to the RG job. Asked Leach about that after the game, “Both did a good job and competed every week and they’re both very important parts of the rotation.” Based on that, think they feel good about either playing that role.
Sep 5, 10:36 AM
JFMCOUGS (Guest): Why do we have the slowest receiver returning punts?
Sep 5, 10:37 AM
srchat (Admin): Because he won’t drop ‘em? But you’re right, not the most explosive guy the Cougars could have out there…
Sep 5, 10:38 AM
RememberTheName (Guest): Riley Krenz, the best that never was…
Sep 5, 10:38 AM
srchat (Admin): Great to have you back!
Sep 5, 10:38 AM
srchat (Admin): OK, anyone have some bold predictions/hot takes for this weekend’s game?
Sep 5, 10:39 AM
Uncle Larry (Guest): Cougs DO NOT win by 34.5 points.
Sep 5, 10:39 AM
srchat (Admin): More than 34.5? Less than 34.5?
Sep 5, 10:39 AM
Uncle Larry (Guest): Less.
Sep 5, 10:40 AM
srchat (Admin): Score prediction?
Sep 5, 10:40 AM
Uncle Larry (Guest): 42 to 17.
Sep 5, 10:41 AM
wsuWR: Hoping we get up by enough at half.. do you see Kassidy Woods and Drue Jackson as well as Calvin Jackson get in the game?
Sep 5, 10:44 AM
srchat (Admin): Believe we saw Jackson in the Wyoming game. Am almost positive he was the WR in motion when the Cougars ran Big Gulp Left, though he’s not listed on the participation report. But yes, think all three will get in — Calvin Jackson before the others.
Sep 5, 10:44 AM
Uncle Larry (Guest): But no one will be awake to see the final score as the Cougs will put it to bed by end of 3rd. 8 pm start
Sep 5, 10:45 AM
srchat (Admin): Then ideally my game story is also finished by the end of the third.
Sep 5, 10:45 AM
wsuWR: 58-21 cougs. Anthony Gordan shows his arm strength and Travell Harris makes his mark! Go Cougs
Sep 5, 10:46 AM
srchat (Admin): Travell didn’t get any opportunities on Saturday, but I guarantee he’ll have some exciting moments in kick return this year.
Sep 5, 10:46 AM
Guest7156 (Guest): They win by more…if SJSU gets punched in the mouth early they’ll have a tough time finding the mental toughness or self belief to keep fighting
Sep 5, 10:47 AM
srchat (Admin): This tends to happen, especially when you’re on the road.
Sep 5, 10:47 AM
Whitworth-Coug (Guest): Didn’t see that Calvin Jackson got any snaps vs. WY??
Sep 5, 10:48 AM
srchat (Admin): As I’d mentioned, I’m almost positive he was the WR in motion during Big Gulp Left. Here’s a link to the play, look for No. 85. https://twitter.com/CougCenter/status/1036028484173197312?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1036028484173197312%7Ctwgr%5E373939313b636f6e74726f6c&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.spokesman.com%2Fstories%2F2018%2Fsep%2F03%2Fbizarre-trick-play-in-3rd-quarter-of-wyoming-game-%2F
Sep 5, 10:49 AM
Guest1064 (Guest): you think we see the Big Gulp formation again this weekend?
Sep 5, 10:50 AM
srchat (Admin): I think so. Seems like it might be a good game to test the different options out of that formation.
Sep 5, 10:50 AM
wsuWR: I’m just gunna throw this out there. If they direct snap to him on that sweep.. he has a lot of green grass and he is fast! Runs a 4.4 Mike knowing his personal and using it to his advantage
Sep 5, 10:51 AM
srchat (Admin): Or possibly a snap to Minshew, then a pass to Jackson on a wheel route.
Sep 5, 10:51 AM
Uncle Larry (Guest): Is the Microsoft guy and former alum that Leach is drawing up plays with a former football player? Or someone like Coach Klein?
Sep 5, 10:53 AM
srchat (Admin): Leach didn’t indicate if he’d played football or not, but sounds like someone with a deep-rooted appreciation for the game. And clearly someone who knows a thing or two about X’s and O’s.
Sep 5, 10:53 AM
Guest7156 (Guest): Are you going to see if you can get backstory/name on this mystery Microsoft guy?
Sep 5, 10:53 AM
srchat (Admin): During Monday’s presser, Leach said to check back in Wednesday. Wasn’t sure if the Microsoft guy would want his name revealed.
Sep 5, 10:54 AM
Whitworth-Coug (Guest): I assume you could tell from the Press Box that the Cougs looked like a Pac12 team and WY looked like at Mountain West team? Cougs looked bigger and faster on TV.
Sep 5, 10:55 AM
srchat (Admin): Yes, and I wasn’t sure that would be the case as physically-imposing and experienced as I’d heard Wyoming would be. I thought the Cougars definitely won in the trenches and wasn’t certain they’d be able to.
Sep 5, 10:55 AM
Uncle Larry (Guest): How did Leach get with this guy? Is there a “submit your play idea here” box on campus?
Sep 5, 10:56 AM
srchat (Admin): Through a common friend, it sounds like. But if you have any great ideas, I’d be happy to pass them along.
Sep 5, 10:57 AM
Whitworth-Coug (Guest): Was there any thoughts during the Presser about Max’s “fumble” that was a weird play.
Sep 5, 10:58 AM
srchat (Admin): Borghi thought his knee was down, so did Leach. It appeared that way on the television in the press box, too.
Sep 5, 10:58 AM
RememberTheName (Guest): When do you think we’ll see Cole Dubots? Fastest LB we have, took home hardware in CA 100 meter and 4 x 100…
Sep 5, 10:59 AM
srchat (Admin): It’s obviously tough to crack a rotation with Pelluer, Woods, Sherman, Fa’vae, Rogers, etc. But perhaps he gets some time in the second half of Saturday’s game.
Sep 5, 10:59 AM
Uncle Larry (Guest): Maybe it is former Microsoft and it is Paul Allen and he contacted Leach cause Pete Carroll said no way on his play ideas.
Sep 5, 11:00 AM
srchat (Admin): Paul Allen’s feeding Mike Leach plays. Our best live chat hot take of the year so far. Love it.
Sep 5, 11:00 AM
Whitworth-Coug (Guest): Any chance you know who does the substitutions for RB’s? Or is it more play call determined?
Sep 5, 11:01 AM
srchat (Admin): I think RB coach Eric Mele is the one who determines this and pretty sure it’s not play call-based.
Sep 5, 11:01 AM
Guest1568 (Guest): What is the cougs record come 1st pack 12 game?
Sep 5, 11:01 AM
srchat (Admin): 3-0
Sep 5, 11:02 AM
srchat (Admin): Hopefully my boss, an Eastern Washington alum, doesn’t see this.
Sep 5, 11:03 AM
srchat (Admin): Great conversation this morning. Thank to everyone who joined and would encourage you to keep up with our coverage leading up to the SJSU game. Until next time…