WSU football chat (transcript)
srchat: Submit questions now for our live chat, which begins at 11 a.m.
Oct 21 2015, 11:02 AM
srchat: Alright, let's get started. Thanks for joining our chat, everyone.
Oct 21 2015, 11:02 AM
Guest3297 (guest): what was the thinking behind practically giving away tickets to the stanford games? Does Game Day require a sell out? will the promo work?
Oct 21 2015, 11:03 AM
srchat: While I suppose the school could be thinking that a sold-out game would be more attractive to the GameDay crew, it could also just be WSU wanting to make sure they have a full house on display during a nationally televised game. ESPN will broadcast the WSU vs. Stanford game whether or not GameDay comes.
Oct 21 2015, 11:04 AM
ScoobyDont (guest): How do the Cougs stop the Arizona running attack?
Oct 21 2015, 11:05 AM
srchat: This will be the ultimate test of WSU's ability to stay true to its checklist of gaps, leverage, checkdown and rally. If the Cougars take care of those keys, in that order, then the Arizona running game shouldn't burn them too badly. However, it's going to be tougher with starting nose tackle Robert Barber out.
Oct 21 2015, 11:06 AM
Rithy Meas: Is there a reason the season record on the front page reads 3-2 instead of 4-2?
Oct 21 2015, 11:07 AM
srchat: Well, Rithy. It sounds an awful lot like somebody typed a 3 instead of a 4. But I'm not sure what exactly you're referring to, since neither today's front page nor the front page of today's sports section have the WSU record on them.
Oct 21 2015, 11:07 AM
Guest1014 (guest): So when are you coming out with your mid year grades
Oct 21 2015, 11:07 AM
srchat: Stay tuned!
Oct 21 2015, 11:08 AM
jbim: Does losing Patrick "Pick Em" Porter hurt the depth chart at DB in any significant way?
Oct 21 2015, 11:10 AM
srchat: It hurts the depth at the bottom of the depth chart. In other word, you're unlikely to notice he's gone until you really need him there. There's a good chance the Cougars get through the season without needing Porter -- he didn't play at all in the first six games -- but if injuries accumulate they might really wish he was still around.
Oct 21 2015, 11:10 AM
Guest5398 (guest): When's the last time Dotson was at practice? and whats the dropoff after him
Oct 21 2015, 11:12 AM
srchat: Dotson was limited in three practices before the California game. That's the only practice he's had since Rutgers, I believe. There's a sizable dropoff. While walk-on Parker Henry has played admirably in Dotson's absence, that position has been in flux since he's been out.
Oct 21 2015, 11:12 AM
Rithy Meas: It's on the "Coug Report football edition" page (http://www.spokesman.com/cougs/). Last week, after the Oregon win, it was 2-2.
Oct 21 2015, 11:12 AM
srchat: Thanks for pointing that out. I'll forward it to our web folks.
Oct 21 2015, 11:13 AM
Guest2007 (guest): what is your o/u for total yards gained and total points scored for Saturday?
Oct 21 2015, 11:15 AM
srchat: I'd say an over/under of 75 total points and about 1,000 yards sounds reasonable.
Oct 21 2015, 11:15 AM
Guest1014 (guest): At halftime last week, talked to a dad whose kid is on the team, says players really like Leach
Oct 21 2015, 11:15 AM
srchat: Nice reporting!
Oct 21 2015, 11:15 AM
cubsfan7331: Isn't 4-2 about where many thought we would be at this point? It's not how we got here but here we are.
Oct 21 2015, 11:16 AM
srchat: That's pretty reasonable. The second half the of the schedule is much tougher, but the Cougars got through the first half in fine form.
Oct 21 2015, 11:16 AM
Guest4234 (guest): So Robert Barber is definitely out for Saturday? Who's behind him on the depth chart?
Oct 21 2015, 11:17 AM
srchat: I'd be very surprised if he played. Daniel Ekuale is behind him and I'd expect Ngalu Tapa to get a lot of reps in his absence. Alternatively, against a spread team like Arizona you might see them move a faster player like Hercules Mata'afa inside.
Oct 21 2015, 11:17 AM
Guest6476 (guest): Hey Jacob. Been following cougs more intently this year and really enjoy your all your stuff. Thanks for all your hard work! How many players typically dress and play in a given game? Is it just the two-deeps who usually play?
Oct 21 2015, 11:20 AM
srchat: Hey, Guest, thanks for the kind words. Typically, between 50-60 will actually play in a game. I think 70 are allowed to suit up on the travel roster, and all 105 are allowed to dress at home.
Oct 21 2015, 11:20 AM
Guest7610 (guest): I really enjoyed your article grading the first 3 games, will you have another for the midpoint in the season?
Oct 21 2015, 11:20 AM
srchat: Yes, I like to do stuff like that later in the week when we don't have Power Rankings, Pac-12 Picks, etc. to fill the day's coverage.
Oct 21 2015, 11:21 AM
Guest1451 (guest): Are the Cougs reading the press clippings about how great they are? I'd hate to see a drop off.
Oct 21 2015, 11:21 AM
srchat: I'm sure some are and some aren't. I tend to believe that players and coaches read more than they let on.
Oct 21 2015, 11:21 AM
Guest5398 (guest): I know no one will say anything about injuries but does it seem like dotson is hurt? I thought he played in the Cal game and I don't remember seeing him get hurt in that game, although I don't think he was playing very well
Oct 21 2015, 11:21 AM
srchat: It definitely seems like Dotson is hurt.
Oct 21 2015, 11:21 AM
Guest1014 (guest): " Post " is not seeing a lot of PT, Baker just a few grabs and has Gabe dropped a pass yet ?
Oct 21 2015, 11:22 AM
srchat: They haven't taken the starters off the field much this year. But with the way starters such as Gabe Marks and Dom Williams are playing, why would you?
Oct 21 2015, 11:22 AM
Guest509 (guest): Is Robert Barber out for this weekend, or, based on his inability to practice by Tuesday your take? Thanks Jake
Oct 21 2015, 11:22 AM
srchat: His inability to practice yesterday and my general feel for the situation make me think he won't play on Saturday.
Oct 21 2015, 11:22 AM
Philip Pallette: Lilienthal plays X or Z or both?
Oct 21 2015, 11:23 AM
srchat: He plays X. But so do Dom Williams and Kyrin Priester.
Oct 21 2015, 11:23 AM
Rithy Meas: Rich Rodriguez stated that he has about 22 injured players. How are we doing in the "injury" category (even though we don't have any injured players) compared to other schools? Also, I believe Scout indicated that Dotson was at practice yesterday.
Oct 21 2015, 11:24 AM
srchat: Dotson did some conditioning work prior to yesterday's practice, as he has in the past. But he was not a formal part of the actual practice, to my knowledge. The Cougars are doing better than most teams in terms of missing key players due to injury. Not only is Arizona missing the Pac-12's best defender in Scooby Wright, they're missing a couple of his potential backups as well.
Oct 21 2015, 11:25 AM
Guest1014 (guest): Any idea of which Cougs have the fastest 40 times ?...to me it looks like Harington, martin and Molton
Oct 21 2015, 11:25 AM
srchat: I would suspect Martin has the fastest. Harrington and Calvin Green probably have pretty fast 40 times. Molton's is probably fast enough but he seems more like a guy with a really good shuttle, to me.
Oct 21 2015, 11:26 AM
Guest4609 (guest): I read an article that Solomon and Randall will both be utilized on Saturday. Does the WSU D have different packages ready to go for each of the QB? Did you see anything like this in practice so far?
Oct 21 2015, 11:26 AM
srchat: Hard to say if they're practicing for them separately or just running quarterbacks in general. While Randall is a bigger rushing threat, Solomon can certainly hurt you on QB runs.
Oct 21 2015, 11:26 AM
Guest5398 (guest): treshon broughton not looking like a starting option at nickel yet?
Oct 21 2015, 11:27 AM
srchat: He got a little time with the ones there yesterday but was mostly with the twos. It's seemed like they generally prefer to have bigger bodies at that position, which is why you see Dotson, Henry and Logan Tago there. Sometimes they want a smaller coverage guy there, say Calvin Green, and that's when Broughton will get his opportunities.
Oct 21 2015, 11:28 AM
Jonthecoug: Is Dimry red shirting? Seems to me I read somewhere he was hurt but wasn't sure if he has a red shirt year available.
Oct 21 2015, 11:28 AM
srchat: Dimry does not have a redshirt year available but I expect the Cougars will try and get him a medical redshirt. No harm in applying.
Oct 21 2015, 11:29 AM
Michael Heald: Who has the bigger disadvantage: Cougar D vs. Arizona O or Arizona D vs. Cougar O?
Oct 21 2015, 11:29 AM
srchat: I'd say WSU's disadvantage is a little bigger just because the areas where the Cougars are weakest are the exact areas where the Wildcats are really good.
Oct 21 2015, 11:29 AM
Guest7610 (guest): What is your over/under for funny or obnoxious quotes from leach and richrod before, during, and after the game?
Oct 21 2015, 11:29 AM
srchat: 17
Oct 21 2015, 11:30 AM
Guest1014 (guest): Because they play 8 deep at WR...is Post in the 8 deep ?..smooth looking player
Oct 21 2015, 11:32 AM
srchat: He is not. Priester being eligible knocked Lilienthal out of the top eight, which is really a top 2x4. The two at X are Dom Williams and Kyrin Priester. The two at H are Robert Lewis and Tyler Baker. The two at Y are River Cracraft and John Thompson and the two at Z are Gabe Marks and Tavares Martin. If Martin is unable to go, maybe Lilienthal slides over to Z. But I expect he'll play.
Oct 21 2015, 11:32 AM
Guest4609 (guest): Thanks for all your hard work this season. There is a big group of us heading to Tucson from Seattle this weekend. Any spots worth checking out? Also it would be nice for someone before every away game to have a post with things to do if you're attending the game in that specific area. Thanks again!!
Oct 21 2015, 11:32 AM
srchat: At this point, such a post would just be a bunch of Yelp! listings. I don't know Tucson very well, but I'm sure the Mexican food is very good.
Oct 21 2015, 11:33 AM
Guest1014 (guest): KO returns !....Blocked Punts..is Mele over his head...?...never seen anything like this .
Oct 21 2015, 11:33 AM
srchat: I think by and large the coaches feel special teams is much improved. But those big plays are killer.
Oct 21 2015, 11:33 AM
Guest5398 (guest): Dom Williams going to get a look at the next level?
Oct 21 2015, 11:34 AM
srchat: If he stays focused I bet he will. He's got a good body type and skillset for the next level. If the drops from earlier in the year come back that would hurt him a lot, though.
Oct 21 2015, 11:34 AM
Guest5828 (guest): This week and especialy next week Cougs will have to change D front to stop run. Nickle out and a bigger body in. If not we willnot be able to stop run. Will Grinch be to stubborn to adjust.
Oct 21 2015, 11:34 AM
srchat: Grinch has made that exact adjustment plenty of times this season, so I doubt stubbornness will play a role. Grinch has shown a lot of willingness to adjust personnel to fit the opponent this season, in my opinion.
Oct 21 2015, 11:35 AM
Philip Pallette: I see where Falk got a mention on Brock Huard's top 10 NCAA QBs, meaning he is outside the top 10 but capable of crashing that group with an astounding performance in Tucson.
Oct 21 2015, 11:35 AM
srchat: Falk has strung together a couple really good performances now and people are starting to take notice.
Oct 21 2015, 11:36 AM
Jonthecoug: What does Biff's sports almanac say about this week's game?
Oct 21 2015, 11:36 AM
srchat: Unfortunately, Biff's future-telling gambling guide told scores from 1950 to 2000, so it's not much help for our purposes.
Oct 21 2015, 11:37 AM
Guest8224 (guest): Any luck on finding anything about the WSU - LA Dodgers seat connection?
Oct 21 2015, 11:37 AM
srchat: No, I went through all our old archives and could find any stories about it, nor was there anything at the schools. I'm sure it's a recycled seat, but it doesn't seem appear that there was a mass installation of old Dodgers seats. Or at least, not one that history remembers.
Oct 21 2015, 11:38 AM
srchat: *could not find any stories about it
Oct 21 2015, 11:38 AM
RG84 (guest): Do you see Williams breaking into the RB rotation next season?
Oct 21 2015, 11:38 AM
srchat: Yes. Next year they're going to have more running backs than they know what to do with.
Oct 21 2015, 11:38 AM
Guest1014 (guest): Is Taylor T playing better this year ?..seem to be out of postion a lot last year and still misses tackles
Oct 21 2015, 11:38 AM
srchat: I think he is. He was key to the critical third-down stop at Oregon and is playing with more confidence.
Oct 21 2015, 11:39 AM
Guest509 (guest): While in Tucson, if you get the urge for Mexican food, try El Charro. A few locations, but the original (since 1922) close to the stadium. Have you witnessed a Thursday Nite star get elevated to 2-deep well into the season, other than injuries to the same position?
Oct 21 2015, 11:39 AM
srchat: Good advice, I'll have to check out El Charro. I can't recall an instance of that, although I know they've been close to burning redshirts based on TNF performances before (Hercules Mata'afa).
Oct 21 2015, 11:40 AM
Guest4234 (guest): I know your game picks are tomorrow, but who do you think gets the W in Tucson?
Oct 21 2015, 11:40 AM
srchat: Haven't decided yet. I think it will be a close one.
Oct 21 2015, 11:40 AM
Guest5828 (guest): I don't think we have enough body of work to see that adjustments are being made. Even at the rush end positions. Why not get a bigger body out there. I have rarely seen a time we didn't have 5 DBs in game. Not sure what you have been watching
Oct 21 2015, 11:44 AM
srchat: No need to sound like an unpleasant person. I've been watching a defense that has had looks ranging from six defensive backs to five guys on the line of scrimmage, and has drastically changed personnel within the same game and drive. I've seen guys weighing 230+ pounds play nickel and guys weighing 175 pounds play nickel to fit the opponent. I've seen Rush linebackers line up opposite wide receivers on the sideline, I've seen two line up on the same side to rush the passer and a lot else.
Oct 21 2015, 11:44 AM
srchat: I've seen the CBs play left/right, boundary/field and line up to stop a star. It's a pretty multiple defense.
Oct 21 2015, 11:45 AM
Guest1014 (guest): What ever happened to Chester...seemed to have a bright future, ran well, did Paul stick him out there too early?
Oct 21 2015, 11:45 AM
srchat: Chester Su'a? Not on the team anymore. I wouldn't want to speculate why, but he did have issues staying healthy.
Oct 21 2015, 11:46 AM
Guest5398 (guest): Do you see a big drop off in the front seven (6) next year or do you think the underclassmen are talented enough to replace the outgoing seniors?
Oct 21 2015, 11:47 AM
srchat: The only real dropoff in experience they'll have is at Rush linebacker, where they lose two seniors. The other seniors, Destiny Vaeao and Jeremiah Allison, have backups who are getting a lot of experience.
Oct 21 2015, 11:47 AM
Michael Heald: What did you make of the close game last week between CU & UA? CU better than we give them credit for or UA worse than we give them credit for?
Oct 21 2015, 11:48 AM
srchat: I'm of the opinion that Colorado is getting pretty close to competitive and is due for a couple breakthrough wins. That program, like the Cougars, has been building for awhile now and has some legitimate talent.
Oct 21 2015, 11:48 AM
Guest7610 (guest): Do you think Bender coming in a few passes helped him a lot or did it hurt him because it was so few snaps?
Oct 21 2015, 11:48 AM
srchat: I suspect that coming in that sort of situation and throwing an interception hurt his confidence. He hasn't been the same player, since.
Oct 21 2015, 11:48 AM
Guest509 (guest): The forecast for Tucson Saturday is sunny and 86 (no surprise). Do you anticipate the heat to be a factor? Thanks for all your coverage Jacob!!
Oct 21 2015, 11:49 AM
srchat: I'm sure it will be a bit of a shock to the Cougars, but not as much as you might think. It's been a pretty warm October here in Pullman, and it's just this week starting to routinely be under 70.
Oct 21 2015, 11:49 AM
Guest5398 (guest): Guest 5828 I'm not sure what defense you've been watching
Oct 21 2015, 11:50 AM
Guest1014 (guest): Emmitt ,,the Jaw Breaker...did he land anywhere ? to bad as he had a great Spring before he left, looked like a future star
Oct 21 2015, 11:50 AM
srchat: I haven't heard anything about Su'a-Kalio since he was dismissed from the team.
Oct 21 2015, 11:50 AM
Guest8224 (guest): I looked around the section and it looked like every seat in my section was stamped "LA". Go dodgers I guess.
Oct 21 2015, 11:51 AM
srchat: If I run into any of the old-timers I'll ask them.
Oct 21 2015, 11:51 AM
wsucougarbill: Can't you block Breske from asking any more questions or making any more comments?
Oct 21 2015, 11:51 AM
srchat: I may not agree with what GuestSomethingSomethingSomething says about the defense, but I'll always defend his right to say it.
Oct 21 2015, 11:52 AM
b17anderson: Think WSU goes fast at the DL spots like they did against UO or mix stuff up a little more like they did against Cal?
Oct 21 2015, 11:53 AM
srchat: WSU has added a couple new formations I haven't seen before (seriously, no idea what GuestSomethingOrOther is talking about) and I think they're going to be really multiple. I expect them to err toward speed, in part because they expect Arizona to tempo them, but they'll keep some heavier sets.
Oct 21 2015, 11:53 AM
RG84 (guest): Whats been your take on young Kameron Powell? I keep hearing on other boards how he will be starter or alot of people putting a lot of stock into him. Do you see that from what you have seen in practice?
Oct 21 2015, 11:54 AM
srchat: He hasn't really stood out to me that much, which is fine, he's a freshman. Hunter Dale is the freshman safety who's really impressing, that's why he's in the two deep. I have seen the athleticism from Powell that got him the four-star rating, but I think you're gonna have to wait to see him make an impact.
Oct 21 2015, 11:54 AM
Guest6252 (guest): For food you have to go to El Guero Canelo for the Sonoran Hot Dog. It is one of the best things I have ever eaten in my entire life.
Oct 21 2015, 11:54 AM
srchat: That does sound good. I like when these live chats are more helpful for me than the guests.
Oct 21 2015, 11:54 AM
Guest7108 (guest): What do you see as being the key 1-2 things WSU has to do to win in Tucson?
Oct 21 2015, 11:55 AM
srchat: 1. Stop explosive running plays. 2. Score at least 38 points.
Oct 21 2015, 11:55 AM
Guest1014 (guest): I think Dylan will fill in very well as the Rush LB....Also heard from a players dad that they really like the new D coaches and Brekse although somewhat respected was not well liked, very negative..
Oct 21 2015, 11:55 AM
srchat: Hanser's speed really stands out. He made a couple tackles last week a good 20 yards from where he started out.
Oct 21 2015, 11:55 AM
Guest7610 (guest): Do you know if they plan to do any more athletics upgrades/new facilities besides the indoor practice facility?
Oct 21 2015, 11:56 AM
srchat: The indoor facility and the baseball clubhouse are getting all of the CAF's attention, to my knowlege.
Oct 21 2015, 11:56 AM
Guest4609 (guest): Do you expect the Luani?Allison duo to play a big role stopping the run this weekend?
Oct 21 2015, 11:57 AM
srchat: Boy, they sure better. Arizona is exceptional at creating explosive running plays -- they've got a QB who will play at least a few series that averages 11.2 yards per rush and one of the best running backs in the conference. Luani will need to play well to prevent medium runs from becoming long runs and Allison is the WSU linebacker best equipped to contain Arizona's speedsters.
Oct 21 2015, 11:57 AM
Guest1014 (guest): I heard Petrino and Leach are neighbors..wonder if they talk !
Oct 21 2015, 11:58 AM
srchat: They are. I've always been curious about that.
Oct 21 2015, 11:58 AM
TheMartinParty (guest): So WSU has a pretty good video about the players with the best dance moves. Who on the Spokesman staff has the best groove? Is it true Grippi's worm is unstoppable?
Oct 21 2015, 11:59 AM
srchat: Nobody can Stanky Leg quite like John Blanchette. But I've heard that back when Howie Stalwick wrote for paper, his worm was unstoppable.
Oct 21 2015, 11:59 AM
Guest1014 (guest): Who raises the flag against Stanford ?,,nice to see Vince in town...Halfitme video was great, would have like to ssee Andrew Jones romp in the AC..most of you are to young to remember...Husky filed was silent or a clip of Mark Fields..I had forgotten how dominant Derting was...fast !
Oct 21 2015, 11:59 AM
srchat: All of those would be good choices. I'd like to see Travis Long do it at some point.
Oct 21 2015, 11:59 AM
RG84 (guest): Who is the slowest person on the roster? lol I joke I joke lol
Oct 21 2015, 12:00 PM
wsucougarbill: True or False the one reason WSU will be prepared to play this week, despite all of the Gameday noise, individual awards, and love from the fans and media is..........................Portland State
Oct 21 2015, 12:00 PM
srchat: False. Despite the PSU wakeup call, the Cougars still showed some energy issues in later games. Those seem to have been solved, though.
Oct 21 2015, 12:00 PM
Guest1014 (guest): Did Pole make the practice squad ?
Oct 21 2015, 12:01 PM
srchat: No.
Oct 21 2015, 12:02 PM
Guest1014 (guest): Or Mark Patterson's pick six against Joe Roth...or Levenseller ...or the Coug hit many years ago in the Apple Cup..name escapes me Oct 21 2015, 12:05 PM
srchat: Oh, one last thing
Oct 21 2015, 12:06 PM
srchat: Coug-a-Sutra asked this on twitter: What position is Calvin Green currently playing and how is he progressing.
Oct 21 2015, 12:07 PM
srchat: Green is back at safety and regularly practices with the twos. He's playing well, has some skill and they seem to want to get him on the field.
Oct 21 2015, 12:03 PM
srchat: Thanks for joining our live chat today, everybody. One of year's best. Enjoy Saturday's game, make good decisions and support your local newspapers.
