Cougars should get a few answers
TUCSON, Ariz. — Washington State University has played three games so far, winning two and losing one.
What does that mean? Well, other than being four wins away from bowl eligibility, no one — including WSU head coach Bill Doba — knows for sure.
“I still really don’t know how good we are, and I think it’s going to be a couple more weeks before we find out,” Doba said. “This is really a big test and it’s an important game for us.”
That big test, the Cougars’ Pacific-10 opener at 12:30 p.m. today on the road against Arizona, doesn’t figure to be the most difficult game on the conference slate for WSU. But it does figure to be an interesting test, one televised on ABC.
The Wildcats come into this season revitalized under new head coach Mike Stoops, formerly an assistant under his brother Bob at Oklahoma. At Oklahoma, the Stoops boys put together a plan that stymied a WSU team on the big stage not that long ago.
“They haven’t changed a lot from two years ago when I was at Oklahoma and we played them in the Rose Bowl,” Arizona’s coach said of the Cougars. “They’re very similar in a lot of ways. They just come up; they try to beat you with defense and execution.”
Of course, Stoops’ team this year at Arizona bears little resemblance to the world-beaters he helped coach in Norman. The Wildcats were picked in the preseason to finish in the basement of the conference, but beware: Arizona lost to a ranked team in Wisconsin by just two points last week. The Wildcats missed two potential game-winning field goals along the way, so it appears that they may be showing rapid signs of improvement.
In fact, today’s game figures to be one of strengths vs. weaknesses as both teams have excelled on defense while struggling on offense.
Arizona quarterback Kris Heavner has a nice completion percentage of 73.0, but Stoops’ offense is still centered on running the ball with tailback Mike Bell. That has Doba and WSU concerned, as both starting defensive tackles Steve Cook and Ropati Pitoitua are out for the second week in a row.
In their place are freshman Aaron Johnson and sophomore Odell Howard. When they played last week, Idaho racked up 131 rushing yards, a potential problem again this week against Arizona.
“That’s the concern to me, that they’re going to try and run the ball,” Doba said. “I’m a little concerned about our young kids.”
Notes
Patrick Afif will return to the starting lineup this week, but on the other side of the offensive line. The senior will be taking Charles Harris’ spot as the starting right guard, with Bobby Byrd remaining the starter on the left side. The Cougars will rotate again at the position as the game proceeds, but Norvell Holmes may be used only if necessary as back problems continue to hinder the junior. … Cornerback Tyron Brackenridge is expected to play this week after missing the last two games with hamstring problems. … Defensive end Reyshawn Bobo injured his knee during practice on Wednesday in a collision with tight end Cody Boyd. The injury was serious enough that Bobo hasn’t made the trip to Tucson. His spot on the travel squad was taken by offensive lineman Robbie Hyslop. … Temperatures are expected to hit the low- to mid-90s in Tucson today. Fortunately for the Cougars and Wildcats, it doesn’t appear that lightning will enter the area, as it did last week when the game was delayed because of weather.