HOT COUGAR ACTION: Morning Links Before Cougars Face Colorado

There have been a lot of historically important days in college football history and today is likely to be another. October 1, 2011, the day WSU officially kicked off the Pac-12. Sure other teams may have already played Pac-12 games, but everyone knows the party doesn't officially start until Wazzu gets there. 

To honor this momentous occasion, I scrounged up 12 WSU football related links and I didn't even have to sell my soul to Bleacher Report to do it!

Cougars | WSU-Colorado at a glance | Seattle Times Newspaper
The setup: Pac-12 opener for both schools, coached by graduates of their programs, WSU's Paul Wulff and Colorado's Jon Embree. WSU, coming off a bye, is playing the second of three straight road games. Signs point to both teams trying to run the ball more. Colorado has allowed 10 sacks, second-most in the Pac-12, hasn't had a running back score a rushing touchdown in 21 quarters dating to 2010, and called only 15 runs in a 37-17 loss last week at Ohio State. WSU needs to run better to protect QB Marshall Lobbestael, who was sacked six times at San Diego State.

Bud Withers | Hate to call it a must-win, but ... a victory for WSU at Colorado would be a good idea | Seattle Times Newspaper

BOULDER, Colo. — A funny thing happened to Washington State in its last football game. The Cougars, 7-32 since 2008, the trash bin of their conference the past few years, were highly respected.

Cougs will get pressure in Pac-12 opener - Spokesman.com - Sept. 30, 2011
BOULDER, Colo. – The signs may not be ominous, but they certainly aren’t promising either. On one side of the ball is Washington State’s offensive line, featuring a new, injury-forced starter at center – for the second consecutive week – and coming off a game in which it gave up six sacks. That number harkens back to the bad days of the past two years, when the Cougars gave up more than 100 combined.

It's travel day for WSU - SportsLink - Spokesman.com - Sept. 30, 2011
There is a certain excitement about Fridays in football season. It's the day before game day, of course. But when Washington State is on the road, it's also travel day. And today we travel to a new Pac-12 city. Boulder, Colorado. Read on.

College Football Picks: Week 5 Against The Spread - SB Nation Bay Area
COLORADO (-3) over Washington State: The Cougars should hit the Pac-12 wall this weekend against a fairly solid Buffs defense. Tyler Hansen should be able to rip apart a pedestrian WSU pass D. The combination of those two and Colorado should be able to cover in victory.

It’s win or else for this 12
7. Paul Wulff, Washington State: It’s a little surprising Wulff made it this far. The Cougars were historically bad his first two seasons. There were some signs of improvement last year but only two victories.

Pac-12 Confidential | Pac-picking, Week 5 | Seattle Times Newspaper
WSU (plus 3) at Colorado -- The Buffs have been starting slowly, falling behind 43-3 cumulatively halfway through second quarters. The Cougars, somewhat fragile themselves, need to keep it that way. A victory here would be huge for their collective psyche. Pick: Colorado, 33-24.

Pac-12: Did you know? - Pac-12 Blog - ESPN
The last time the Cougars went to Boulder, in 2003, they beat the No. 17 Buffaloes 47-26.

Cougars Not Sick Over Altitude In Colorado - SWX Right Now-Sports for Spokane, CdA, Tri-Cities, WA
Washington State reached a rare high point when it went to a perfect 2-0 to start the season. The Cougars will look to reach even bigger heights this weekend. Washington State travels to Colorado this Saturday for its conference opener.

Banged up CU Buffs brace for Washington State Cougars - Boulder Daily Camera

Following a disheartening loss at Ohio State last week, Colorado football coach Jon Embree said a handful of key contributors to his team have been playing hurt this season because the team lacks the necessary depth to allow them to sit and heal.

Statistical Comparison - Colorado Buffaloes Vs. Washington State Cougars - The Ralphie Report
History - Colorado vs Washington State (from the WSU SID): Colorado has a 4-2 advantage in the series with Cougars prior to joining the Pac 12. The last meeting was in 2004 where the Buffs won 20-12 at Qwest Field in Seattle.

Scout.com: Colorado vs. Washington State preview
BOULDER -- From the outside, the University of Colorado football team doesn't look a whole lot different this season. The Buffs struggled to win games the past five years under coach Dan Hawkins. So far in 2011, under new coach Jon Embree, the Buffs are 1-3.