Teams look for mix that will help them percolate

• There’s a certain brand of coffee we – and by “we,” I am including Kim in this – love, though I won’t give them a free advertisement by naming it. However, I will say the company also has really good donuts. But, by itself, the coffee isn’t – I don’t know the correct way to express this – stiff enough. It needs some backbone. So we’ve been mixing in another brand, a major player in the coffee industry. And today I do believe we came upon the perfect mix, a 4-to-2 ration that is, well, magnificent. We have a winner. Which brings us to the point of our morning column. Like the Grippis, college football coaches all over America are still looking for the right mix. They are fiddling with their teams, trying to find the right formula that will result in a winning season. Instead of scoops of coffee, of course, they are dealing, in small part, with schemes. Mainly, though, they are dealing with their players. Going into a season, coaches think they know what they have. But they aren’t always sure. Two games in, they usually know. The linebacker they thought had taken a huge jump over the offseason and preseason camp? He’s still a step slow. The receiver they believed had re-dedicated himself to blocking downfield? He’s still shying away from the big hit. The safety that seemed to be too small or slow to put on the field? He’s a gamer who plays much bigger than his size and always seems to be in the right spot. Armed with two games worth of film, coaches are making adjustments. You will see it happen everywhere, but nowhere is needed more than locally. Washington State is 0-2 and in desperate need of coming up with the right formula on both sides of the ball. The offense and defense are both 1-1, one good game, one bad game. But that doesn’t add up to victories. Decisions have to be made and this week, with FCS also-ran Portland State coming to town, seems to be the time to see if they are the correct ones. It also seems to be a good week to deal with some psyches that are probably a little bruised. It wasn’t just Cougar fans who believed this season would begin differently. The Cougars themselves felt that way too. The process of dealing with bruised egos began last night and it began with a reminder mediocre play won’t be tolerated. The rest of the process kicked in after that. Up the road, Eastern Washington’s questions are a bit different. The Eagles are good but have a chance, and a desire, to be great. After three games (they opened a week earlier than everyone), there are some physical bruises that have to be healed, sure, but there are other aspects that need tending as well. The offense? It’s humming. The defense? Well, that’s different. The Eagles knew coming into this season it would be that side of the ball that would be the difference maker. A great offense and a solid defense would probably add up to a national title. But solid seems a bit elusive right now. Solid teams don’t give up a Bloomsday’s worth of yardage during a game, even one against a Pac-12 foe. Especially a mid-level Pac-12 foe. So it’s back to the laboratory, mixing bowls in hand. It’s time to find the right formula. The winning formula.

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• WSU: After a day off, the Cougars returned to practice last night and Jacob Thorpe was there. He followed the session with a long and detailed practice report . He also has a morning post today with links and he handed out grades for the Nevada game. … The Oregon game is sold out, but there are standing-room-only tickets available. … The Cougars have descended to the bottom of ESPN.com’s Pac-12 power rankings. It’s a spot they’ve occupied a lot the past few years and one they thought they had vacated . … It was an interesting week for the conference. In more ways than one . … If you’ve wondered what’s in the minds of the pollsters, Jon Wilner always explains his thinking at least. … The WSU women’s soccer team remains undefeated .

• EWU: Jim Allen took some time yesterday to share his thoughts on the blog about the wild loss to Washington. Then he put together a follow-up story for the paper.

• Indians: Hillsboro won the Northwest League title yesterday, finishing off a two-game sweep of three-time champion Vancouver, 4-3.

• Seahawks: After one Sunday of NFL play, we think we know a lot. Maybe we do. Some folks think the Seahawk defense is really, really good . … An important part of that defense is the guy front and center, Brandon Mebane (pictured). … Bryan Walters is back and he hopes to help in a lot of ways. … The Hawks had the day off yesterday.

• Mariners: Would it surprise anyone if the American League wild card game pitted the host Seattle Mariners against the visiting Detroit Tigers? The way the A’s are collapsing right now – they gave away another game to the Astros yesterday – it could easily happen. But the M’s have to do their part. Let’s amend that. The M’s bats have to do their part . They were silent yesterday and the Mariners lost a 1-0 decision to the host Rangers. … If not for Kyle Seager , the M’s trip to Texas wouldn’t have been as happy as it was. … Dustin Ackley was beat up and had to sit yesterday, though he expects to be back soon.

• Sounders: Seattle was back at practice yesterday as the Sounders prepare for the stretch run . … Unless Portland gets its act together at home, the playoffs won’t include the Timbers.

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• Another work week begins today. Me? I’m going to get my new glasses. It will be nice to be able to see clearly again. Until later …