Pacific-10 Preview Extravaganza: Washington State Cougars

Buckle your seat belts ladies and gentlemen as we take you on a four-state tour from the rainy terrain of Pullman, Washington, to the arid desert of Tucson Arizona. Only two years remain for the Pac-10 as we know it. In the near future, Colorado and Utah will join the conference and change the landscape. With them, they will bring divisions, a revised schedule, and a conference championship game. For now, sit back and enjoy the extravagant ride as we take a look at each team in the conference.

10. Washington State Cougars

Coach: Paul Wulff (2 seasons: 3-22)

2009 Record: 1-11 (0-9)

Schedule: @Oklahoma State, v.Montana State, @SMU, v.USC, @UCLA, v.Oregon, v.Arizona, @Stanford, @Arizona State, v.California, @Oregon State, v.Washington

Projected Starters: 

Offense:        QB Jeff Tuel (SO)                                              Defense:   DE Kevin Kooyman (SR)

                         RB Chantz Staden (SR)                                                      DT Bernard Wolfgramm (SR)

                         WR Daniel Blackledge (SR)                                             DT Brandon Rankin (JR)

                         WR Gino Simone (SO)                                                       DE Travis Long (SO)

                         WR Jared Karstetter (JR)                                                  LB Myron Beck (SR)

                         TE Skylar Stomo (SO)                                                         LB Mike Ledgerwood (JR)

                         LT Wade Jacobson (JR)                                                    LB Alex Hoffman-Ellis (JR)

                         LG Zack Williams (SR)                                                      CB Aire Justin (JR)

                         C Andrew Roxas (JR)                                                         CB Daniel Simmons (SO)

                         RG B.J. Guera (JR)                                                             SS Chima Nwachukwu (SR)

                         RT Micah Hannam (SR)                                                   FS LeAndre Daniels (SO)

Last Bowl: 2003 Holiday Bowl

Projected 2010 Record: 1-11

Outlook: The 2009 campaign was feeble and 2010 should be much of the same. Six starters return to an offense that was second to last in the nation in points per game (12) a year ago. Most of the blame falls to the offensive line. They allowed an astounding 53 sacks last year. It’s hard to put points on the board when your quarterback is busy picking clods of grass out of his face mask. The defense was just as bad last season, allowing 38.5 points per game. It is hard to imagine that Washington State will be so bad again, but they are still by far the worst team in the conference. The only guaranteed win on their schedule seems to be the home game against FCS Montana State. They might be able to squeak by SMU, who they beat in overtime last year, but it doesn’t seem likely because SMU has made major strides.  A year ago, the Cougars were blown out in nearly every conference game, with their smallest margin of defeat being 13. With the losses piling up, Paul Wulff will likely be fired after this season. After this season, his record will likely be no better than 5-32, hardly an impressive total. 

Paul Wulff is on the hot seat. Source: Yardbarker.com