COUGARS, VANDALS

The Cougars aren't going into this Saturday's Palouse Showdown with the University of Idaho at full strength.

With the injuries suffered prior to the Auburn game still yet to heal (two defensive line starters and an offensive line starter out), their injury report Tuesday was kind of iffy. As in, there are a few starters who are iffy whether they will play or not, including one of the bright spots from last Saturday, running back DeMaundray Woolridge.

There's more on the injury problem from Glenn Kasses at his blog. There is also an interesting conversation with Alex Brink, following his poorest showing of his career against Auburn.

Brink admitted as much during the news conference, and Glenn and Todd Milles of the News Tribune (whose story is here) wrote about it.

It is this type of attitude that will make Brink a success, not only as a college quarterback but for the rest of his life. He is willing to shoulder blame (a rare trait these days), he's willing to admit failure (even rarer) and he's willing to work as hard as possible to correct the errors (rarest). Whether or not he leads the Cougars to the Rose Bowl, he's a winner.

That being said, college football is about winning – on the field. Moral victories don't count, life lessons don't count, good feelings don't count. It is the wins and losses that go into the season ledger that count. If Brink doesn't correct the mistakes quickly, he will find himself on the bench. That's just the way it is. And rightfully so. The Cougars, and any college team, need to have the player at each position, quarterback to long snapper, who gives them the best opportunity to win.

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