WSU Basic Info to Know

Ranking: N/A

Conference: Pac-10

2010 Record: 0-0 (0-0)

2009 Record: 1-11 (0-9)

Coach: Paul Wulff, 56-60 (3-22 WSU)

Nickname: Cougars

Colors: Crimson & Gray

Style of Offense: One-back Spread

Base Defense: 4-3 Defense

Key Players: 6'4" WR Jared Karstetter #84, DE Travis Long #89, QB Jeff Tuel #10

Returning Starters: Offense 8, Defense 7

Key Injuries: Backup DE Jordan Pu'u - Robinson has torn his ACL and will miss the season.  While Pu'u - Robinson is not a starter this position had little depth initially and his injury will hurt the defense.  Combined with a suspension for using banned substances for DT Dan Spitz the defensive line will be a weakness for the struggling Cougars.

How OSU can beat them: Kendall Hunter will need to have big game running and receiving to exploit the lack of depth on the WSU defensive line.  OSU has greater talent and depth and needs to get many players involved offensively and methodically drive down the field.  Defensively, OSU must keep the talented WSU receivers in front of them.  OSU cannot allow a struggling WSU running game to gain any momentum early.  Lengthen the game and ensure the better team wins.

How they can beat OSU: In 2009, then-freshman Tuel threw for 354 yards against Cal before being lost to a knee injury.  If he can spread the ball around to many receivers capitalizing on the lack of CB depth and the WSU defense can rattle Weeden in his first career start WSU could pull off a major upset to an inexperienced OSU team breaking in a new offense and replacing 9 defensive starters. 

Sports Talk Station: KPTK 1090 AM (Seattle), wsucougars.com, XM Satellite Radio

Reasons to Cheer for Them: WSU Alum Paul Wulff's mother went missing when he was a child and his first wife died of cancer at the age of 39.  He is an upbeat coach who has overcome alot and has struggled in two seasons at his alma mater.

Reasons to Hate Them: 1) The Washington State-Sooner State Rivalry.  Forget WSU or UW, it really comes down to the Oklahoma City Thunder NBA franchise.  The whiny, liberals in Washington State have called Oklahomans every name in the book, they even made a movie: Sonicsgate.  Get over it!  You didn't support the team and we do.  “(sonicsgate is) a meticulous examination of the political malfeasance, conspiracy and media cover ups that led to the team's relocation.” — Karen Quinn, Seattle Metropolitan Magazine.  Wow, malfeasance even.  Such drama, such theater...  2) All-time losing record against WSU, a win will tie it at 2-2.
 
All-Time Record vs. OSU: 2-1 (1951 W, 1952 W, 2008 L)

Prominent Alumni: broadcaster Edward R. Murrow, Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, astronaut John M. Fabian, cartoonist Gary Larson, banking executive Phyllis J. Campbell, sociologist William Julius Wilson, author and film director Sherman Alexie.

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