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Apple Cup in December? In Pullman? Advantage Cougs!

The Seattle Times is reporting that Jim Sterk said during yesterday's game that next year's Apple Cup -- in Pullman -- is slated to be played Dec. 4, a byproduct of some scheduling quirks and a desire by both sides to have at least one bye week worked into the schedule.

Truly, I don't see a downside to this. I've always felt, like most, that the Apple Cup should be the final game of the year (the occasional 13th game against Hawaii notwithstanding). And since the college football season now extends into December anyway -- I'm old enough to remember when it used to end this past weekend, except for a handful of games such as Nebraska/Oklahoma -- there's really no reason the Cougs shouldn't take advantage of it like everyone else.*

* Well, except for that whole "not wanting to play extra games and extend the season because student athletes need to be in class because academics are most important," right college presidents who won't let us have a playoff?

Additionally, with Washington likely to be better than WSU once again next year (especially if Jake Locker returns for his senior year), anything that makes the Huskies uncomfortable is going to be an advantage for the Cougs. There's a pretty substantial history at this point of the Cougs playing above their heads against the Huskies in cold conditions. Snow, anyone?

Besides, I'm fairly certain there isn't one Coug fan who doesn't relish the idea of making those mamby-pamby Huskies drive over the passes and freeze their you-know-whats off for three and a half hours in temperatures that will likely be in the 20s. I mean, they were whining about how cold it was last year when I believe game time temperatures were in the 40s.

There is collateral damage from this decision, however.

The game was supposed to be on Nov. 20, the weekend before Thanksgiving. To fill that void, the Cougs are going to -- wait for it ... wait for it ... -- move the game against Cal (originally scheduled for Nov. 6) to that Saturday. Yes, there's going to be yet another home game the Saturday before Thanksgiving. But Sterk has a solution: Since everyone associated with the program knows how poorly attended those games, he's going to make that Dad's Weekend. Ugh.

My solution? Why nbt make that Cal game the Qwest Field game? The majority of the students will be home on the west side of the state already ...

Nonetheless, I like the Apple Cup in December. Bring on the snow!

0 recs  |  Comment 15 comments |

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He's making that Dad's weekend?

There’s gonna be an uproar in Pullman. Right idea, but it won’t go over well

by cougfan on Nov 22, 2009 2:38 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

I agree

But what good is the uproar going to do? Sterk’s doing what he can to maximize attendance at that game. What I don’t understand is why we continually have a game that weekend. It seems like it shouldn’t be that hard to schedule a road game on that date …

by Jeff Nusser on Nov 22, 2009 2:53 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Also, I agree with the weekend before Thanksgiving game in Seattle as a way to draw

We also know he wants Oregon at Qwest, though. It would be impressive if Jim could flip the Cal and Oregon games and have Oregon at Qwest on the weekend before Thanksgiving. Wishful thinking on my part.

Unfortunately our breaks keep screwing us with that weekend game and the Spring and Winter breaks in basketball, as well. Doesn’t help attendance at all.

by cougfan on Nov 22, 2009 2:54 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

For once, I agree with the UW strategy

Why don’t we just follow their example and have a bye week during that weekend like they did this last weekend. I understand that it’s not the most ideal time to have a bye week, but if it has to be done, it has to be done. Also, I wish we wouldn’t have to be talking about this. If this team had any hope of any bowl game at all, people would find a way to be at this game.

by GoCougs on Nov 22, 2009 3:12 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Wow...

Dad’s weekend during Thanksgiving break? Why do I feel like this will backfire and cause not only game attendance down, but attendance for all the other dad’s weekend activities to go down too? We just need that weekend to always either be a bye or an away game. At that time of the year, students are DYING to get a break from Pullman (no matter how much you love it).

I’m just glad I’m graduating this year…

by james_WSU on Nov 22, 2009 4:13 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Making it Dad's weekend is not a good idea

So much rides on Dad’s weekend activities, and I just don’t see Dad’s wanting to come over in the same numbers for the game. But maybe it’s a stroke of genuis and it works our perfectly.

by 02Coug on Nov 23, 2009 6:22 AM PST up reply actions   0 recs

The ONLY thing I could see being bad about this is

west side ticket-holders getting over the pass. But regardless, I love the idea.

by TiltingRight on Nov 22, 2009 9:04 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

wsu apple cup tickets sold

seattle times reported that wsu returned 500 of the school’s 4000 tickets allotment for the apple cup

by willarose on Nov 23, 2009 7:42 AM PST reply actions   0 recs

No enormous surprise there

They’re the worst seats in the house, and there are plenty of other tickets still available.

by Jeff Nusser on Nov 23, 2009 8:22 AM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I don't know what you're talking about

Husky Stadium is a great venue to watch football!

Or, it lacks any kind of real intimacy because it has an enormous track around it. Beautiful setting, yes; great place to watch a game, no way.

by Jeff Nusser on Nov 23, 2009 9:22 AM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Consider it us being nice

At least we didn’t send them back the day before the game like a certain team in purple does. Not like they’ll sell the stadium out anyway.

by cougfan on Nov 23, 2009 3:26 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Both good ideas

Having the AC in December allows it to be the last game and have two byes while leaving some flexability in the scheduling. Dad’s weekend the weekend before Thanksgiving, could backfire, but will hopefully keep the students from all bailing early. Plus this allows the Dad’s to pick-up kids without cars or what not. I like the moves, especially the Apple Cup.

http://wsufoundation.wsu.edu/giving/enteramount.asp?Fund=Martin%20Stadium%20Project

by selahcoug on Nov 23, 2009 1:45 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

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