HOT COUGAR ACTION: Lapuaho Out; Scrimmage Tonight

First off, hope you like the new title for the linkposts. Brian and I liked it very late last night. It could have been the TJ's kicking in, or it might really be just as funny as we think. I'm really not sure right now, as it's 1:30 a.m. as I write this.

Anyway, before we get onto the links, Vince Grippi reported last night that defensive line recruit Al Lapuaho -- you know, the guy the staff unearthed who was in a junior college in Utah who actually qualified out of high school but didn't know it who was supposed to be able to come in and play right away -- isn't coming this year. He got tired of waiting for the NCAA Clearinghouse to make a decision, so he decided to go back to Snow Junior College.

I can't blame the kid. It's gotten to the point where even if he did get cleared, all he's going to do this year is practice; and if he didn't get cleared, well, then he doesn't play anywhere and still loses a year of eligibility, because the clock starts ticking when you step foot on any college campus. Never mind the fact that he's not enrolled and is missing the first week of the school year at WSU.

It's believed that there aren't any problems with his transcript, just that the clearinghouse is a bureaucratic institution that works at its own pace. While I understand the NCAA can't just do a rush job for every school that needs one, geez -- you wouldn't think it would be that tough to clear a kid with some sort of reasonable speed, especially at a time of the year where I can't imagine they're being bombarded with requests.

Honestly, here's my main beef with the clearinghouse on this: As much as I selfishly want him in Pullman, let's be real: The best place for him to be is in Pullman. Snow Junior College might be the Harvard of JCs for all I know, but it's still not a major research university. Getting him enrolled at WSU is the best thing for him, and it would be nice if the clearinghouse would recognize that and do something productive for someone.

OK, off my soapbox. Here are your links. As per usual, contribute whatever you've run across that you want to share down in the comments.

WSU Links

Campus Corner: Six Unknowns Who Could Be Big For UW And WSU - SB Nation Seattle
Hey, lookie here! It's none other than yours truly with his first feature at the Seattle regional site. I'll be doing these features weekly on Wednesday, and will also contribute some other stuff to the site. Additionally, Brian is going to be writing for them as well. If you've visited the site before and found it rather ... uh ... lame, take heart! It's under new management, and trust me when I tell you this thing is now headed in the right direction. Be sure to check it out. Here's a taste of my column:

If both Washington and WSU are to make a leap this year -- the Huskies into a bowl game, the Cougars into mere respectability -- both squads are likely going to need some guys who are flying under the radar right now to make big contributions as the season goes along. Here is a look at six possibilities.

WSU will hold late scrimmage - SportsLink - Spokesman.com - Aug. 25, 2010
Washington State will hold its final full-contact scrimmage Thursday evening in Martin Stadium. It’s like a mini-game with the players starting to get ready at 5:30 with typical pregame work, then the scrimmage starting at 7. There will be eight-minute quarters, special team work, officials, clocks, two-minute, everything you see in a game except it will be compressed.

Also included is Grippi's special teams preview. Sadly, he does not endorse Reid Forrest for the Heisman Trophy.

FOOTBALL: Practice No. 21 Recap - WASHINGTON STATE OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE - Blog
Just some basic notes.

WSU Blog Poll Wednesday, Plus More - WSU Football Blog
The WSU football blog has its blogpoll ballot if you want to compare it to Brian's.

Switch leads to Pac-10 | WSU Cougars - The News Tribune
(Waldner's) unexpected journey from being a backup to being all-state began his junior year at Olympia when he switched positions about the middle of the season. He got only spot duty at defensive end as a junior as he learned how to tackle and how to shed blocks. Then as a senior, Waldner started every game, finishing with 65 tackles and seven sacks. In hsi first year as a starter, Waldner earned first-team all-state honors as a defensive lineman.

Scout.com: Just how aggressive is WSU with walk-ons?
"You might ask, ‘What’s the rush if you’re not going to offer a scholarship?’" says Jack Evans, Cougfan.com’s recruiting analyst emeritus. "It matters because WSU is very aggressive with its walk-on program -- really using it as a pipeline to bolster the roster with kids who may just need a year or two to blossom. The coaches know that in the case of athletes with high GPAs they're going to be battling the service academies and maybe the Ivy League to get them, showing some love this early can make all the difference down the road."

Chima Nwachukwu a Candidate for Lowe's Senior CLASS Award - WASHINGTON STATE OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE
Washington State University senior Chima Nwachukwu was one of 30 NCAA® football bowl subdivision student-athletes candidates for the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award in football. To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence - community, classroom, character and competition.

Scout.com: Moos has eye on big picture, Spokane and more
One area Moos believes the Cougars are not "maximizing" is marketing in Spokane. The gregarious Moos plans to spend virtually every Monday working in Spokane year-round. His weekly radio show with longtime Spokane broadcaster and radio voice of WSU men’s basketball Bud Nameck will air every Monday at 10 a.m. on Spokane radio station KXLI 700, beginning next week.

Top restaurants and bars in Pac-10: Washington State - Pac-10 Blog - ESPN
Many, many votes for Sella's, The Coug, Rico's and Cougar County Drive-In. More than a couple of folks said Black Cypress is the best high-end restaurant in town.

Cougar Soccer Travels to Lone Star State - WASHINGTON STATE OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE
Washington State will open the tournament against Long Beach State, Friday, Aug. 27 at 3 p.m. Pacific...Texas A&M and Virginia Tech are scheduled for 6 p.m. Pacific, Friday...Long Beach State and Virginia Tech will square off at 8:30 a.m. Pacific, Sunday, Aug. 29 with the Cougars and Aggies meeting at 11:30 a.m. Pacific.

Cougar Head Soccer Coach Matt Potter Quotes - WASHINGTON STATE OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE - Blog
On beginning a month of road/neutral matches: "This first road trip allows us to learn about ourselves and how we can handle the next phase will be the next road trip. We are going to use this weekend to find how about ourselves so we can get into a routine."

Volleyball 101 - WASHINGTON STATE OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE - Blog
Cougar Head Coach Andrew Palileo, Assoc. Head Coach Brian Lamppa and Assistant Coach Jennifer Fry and the 2010 Cougar volleyball team welcomed fans to Bohler Gym for the Volleyball 101 Clinic Aug. 24. Video included.

Miscellaneous Stuff

Report: BYU To Stay With Mountain West With Announcement As Early As Thursday - SBNation.com
So, the key question is what type of concession will the Mountain West make to BYU regarding the television deal. In the Memorandum of Understanding details came out that BYU would not only keep all money for games on BYU-TV, but they would also show WAC championship events that were not being aired on ESPN. That concession seems fair for BYU and the Mountain West since even with their current television deal not all post season events are on any of the three league networks.