HOT COUGAR ACTION: Distractions Ahead Of Arizona

It's Dad's Weekend in Pullman this weekend and the Cougs take on Arizona. The Wildcats are coming off a loss to Oregon State and are sure to be looking for revenge this week against an improved WSU squad.

I'd love to be focusing on Arizona right now and taking a look at all the positives from last week. We had plenty of plans for yesterday and today that were sidetracked by the news out of Pullman. Those were put on the back-burner, but we hope to have them for you today -- if I get around to finishing what I kinda, sorta started yesterday.

The big news out of Pullman yesterday was the drug bust that corralled Jamal Atofau and Andre Barrington. You can find out initial post here and a reaction from Jeff here. Mr. Vince Grippi did what he does best, asking the right question of Paul Wulff about the situation and what the future holds. You can find the quotes from Wulff and Grippi's opinion on what's next here.

We should have a look at the coaching staff's changing attitude and Jeff Tuel's continued progression today and tomorrow, depending on how much we get done and if more news break -- which we hope it doesn't. We'll also have some midseason report cards this week -- yes, we're already at the halfway point.

On a personal note, my work rate here will be a little lighter for the next week or so. I was hired as the editor of SB Nation Seattle last week and am taking over the responsibilities now. Want to know more about Seattle sports? Come check us out.

On to the links...

A quick note from Grippi's blog. Jeffrey Solomon partially tore his ACL during Saturday's game. If you watched, you saw exactly when it happened. It's not a full tear, but it's enough that will cost him a few weeks, if not the rest of the season. On the plus side, expect more Gino Simone.

THE CURIOUS INDEX, 10/12/2010 - Every Day Should Be Saturday
First things first: let's wake and bake this morning with the Washington State Cougars, whose Jamal Atofau and another academically ineligible former Cougar were found with 38 marijuana plants in their house. In case you don't know about the pot and the reefer, that is technically speaking a Shit-Ton of weed, a unit indicating "enough to get you some hefty jailtime." On the bright side, that's a lot of plants to keep alive at once, so a promising future in horticulture awaits someone here.

Scout.com: A wide-ranging interview with Bill Moos
In a wide-ranging inteview, Moos also addressed the status of football coach Paul Wulff; proposed changes in Pac-10 revenue sharing and alignment; a possible name change for Martin Stadium; and the going-away present from the Oregon Ducks that he wound up having to purchase for himself.

Bill Moos Online Chat Tuesday, Oct. 12, at 3 p.m. - WASHINGTON STATE OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE
The Cougar Chats series, presented by Northwest Dodge Dealers, continues Tuesday, Oct. 12 when Washington State University Director of Athletics Bill Moos conducts an online chat at WSUCougars.com at 3 p.m.

Here Comes the Sun | WSU Football Blog
Well, as the header and lead photo indicate, it appears that after a 2.5 year hiatus, the light of day has dawned on our beloved Cougar Football program. Wanna read my take on Cougar Football at the halfway point of the 2010 season? Then read on...

Midseason report: Washington State - Pac-10 Blog - ESPN
Defensive MVP: A defense that gives up 43 points per game doesn't really have an MVP, but linebacker Alex Hoffman-Ellis leads the Cougars with 40 tackles. He also has four tackles for a loss, two sacks, two interceptions, a forced fumble and five passes defended.

Scout.com: Seen & Heard on Planet Coug
SOURCES OUT OF Pullman tell us that Paul Wulff had WSU athletic director Bill Moos talk to the Cougar football team before Saturday's game against Oregon. Moos had some personal experience, as a standout lineman way back in the day, with being a huge underdog to a highly ranked opponent. So he shared some bone-jarring thoughts with the team.

Other WSU News

Volleyball Travels to Bay Area to Face No. 6 Cal, No. 2 Stanford - WASHINGTON STATE OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE
The Washington State University volleyball team (6-9 overall, 0-5 Pac-10) travels to the San Francisco Bay area to take on No. 6 California (15-1, 5-1) Friday, Oct. 15, and No. 2 Stanford (14-1, 5-1) Saturday, Oct. 16

Men's Golf in First at Purple and Red Invitational - WASHINGTON STATE OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE
The Cougars posted a team score of 559 at the Valley View Golf Club in Layton, Utah. WSU finished the day ahead of the remaining 15 teams; Weber State, Utah, Utah State, Boise State, Air Force, Arkansas-Little Rock, British Columbia, Cal Poly, UC Riverside, Loyola Marymount, Northern Colorado, Portland, Sacramento State, Southern Utah and Utah Valley.

Pac-10 News

Pac-10 midseason overview - Pac-10 Blog - ESPN
The preseason expectation for the Pac-10 was lots of quality depth, though probably no national title contender. It also looked to be loaded with exceptional quarterbacks with NFL futures ahead. As we pause to take a measure at midseason, some of that proved true. Other aspects have not.

Pac-10 Power Rankings: Week 7 - Pac-10 Blog - ESPN
10. Washington State: Warning, Pac-10. If you take the Cougars lightly and assume a victory, you are going to lose. Just got a feeling this team is going to beat someone this year. Also, level-headed Cougars fans should start thinking about the wisdom of letting Paul Wulff coach into his fourth year. This team is improving.

Other Stuff We Like

Feature: Replaying The "5th Down" 20 Years Later – LostLettermen.com
If you think Jim Joyce has it bad, imagine being J.C. Louderback. ... For exactly 20 years, Louderback has endured the blame for missing an entire down as head official of the 1990 Colorado-Missouri game. It cost Mizzou the win, sent the two programs in opposite directions and ultimately had a part in people losing their jobs.