2011 Washington State Cougars Football Preview

There is something in the air in Pullman, Washington. It’s not quite bursting optimism, but it definitely is the alleviation of dread and despair… also known as the lack of a desire to hurry on up and get to basketball season as quickly as possible.

Yes, in the autumn of 2011, Washington State football – while unlikely to overflow with prosperity – could at least become a team that will threaten to get to the .500 mark. For the first time in what seems like an eternity, excitement and confidence – well, at least to a small degree - are synonymous with the Washington State University football program.

Head coach Paul Wulff feels his squad may have just turned the corner. That’s bluster to a certain extent, but it’s a feeling that owns at least some degree of merit. Say this much, though: Wulff needs to talk confidently - it’s now or never for the embattled head man. Washington State hasn’t been to a bowl game, or had a winning season for that matter, since 2003. In the past three years, the Cougars have won just five games combined. However, 2010 offered at least the glimpse of a hint of a possibility of a hope that things could be different in the very near future. With the play of quarterback Jeff Tuel and an increased level of talent on both sides of the ball, the Cougars were competitive again. They fought a lot longer and harder – and with much more distinction – than they did in 2009 or 2008. Are they ready for another leap in 2011?

Washington State returns eight starters on offense and seven on defense. Any degree of improvement must come from the offensive line. In 2010, the Cougs’ front gave up 51 sacks as a unit and struggled mightily in opening up holes in the running game. With a year under their belt, the men who try to move the line of scrimmage for the Cougars will try to develop their skill sets and physiques. Marquess Wilson, who had a 1,000- yard receiving year as a freshman in 2010, is the best Cougar playmaker on the edges. Running back will be a question mark.

The defense will need to be improved as well. Stopping the run will be priority number one for a number of new defensive coaches who have come to Pullman to work for Wulff. The schedule sets the Cougars up for a relative amount of success – “relative” being four or five wins. Wazzu plays zero BCS teams during its non-league schedule. Washington State also gets Stanford, Oregon State, Arizona State, and Utah at home.

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