:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/1251683/GYI0061903270.jpg)
We'll get into the defense more this week, but Paul Wulff said yesterday that the staff is contemplating making some changes in personnel on the defensive side of the ball in an effort to get more speed on the field to combat the Ducks' prolific attack.
Via Vince Grippi at the Spokesman-Review:
Though Wulff qualified his remarks with "we don't have anything for sure set in stone" and "we haven't come to a final conclusion," he did add "we're trying to move a few guys around to help us with some speed and obviously tackling."
The goal, Wulff said, was to improve the defense's ability to get to the ball.
"We've improved our speed," he said, "but we're still aren't at the level we need to be. We're making strides, but we need to continue to improve our speed."
I'll save my deep analysis for later, but really ... this is basically rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic. As Brian pointed out yesterday, there is no quick schematic fix out there for this unit, and if there were personnel fixes, they'd have already been made -- we probably have the three worst linebackers in the Pac-10, and they're all still playing.
It's depressing as hell to think that this team would probably be able to win another game this year if it had three linebackers who could play.
On to the links.
WSU News
Changes coming to WSU's defense? - SportsLink - Spokesman.com - Oct. 3, 2010
One of the players who might find some playing time in an attempt to get more speed on the field is Jamal Atofau, the converted safety who started at linebacker Saturday. Wulff said Atofau has shown flashes of ability, but he’s got to get more consistent on his assignments and his youth shows up at times.
Cougars | Pac-10 officiating coordinator: Officials acted correctly in WSU game | Seattle Times Newspaper
"The rule book says it (a call for a replay) has to occur before the ball is snapped, but there's always a lag time we allow for to a certain extent," Cutaia said. "If the thing goes off as the ball is being snapped, we're going to allow for that."
WSU Concludes Jack Taylor Open - WASHINGTON STATE OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE
In singles action, Marina Nicolas defeated Madeline Murray of Montana 6-0, 6-0. Lea Jansen beat Alejandra Lozano of Idaho 7-6, 6-2.
Cougar Women Continue Fall Season with Edean Ihlanfeldt Invitational - WASHINGTON STATE OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE
The Washington State University women's golf team will compete in the Edean Ihlanfeldt Invitational, hosted by the University of Washington, Oct. 4-6.
Pac-10 News
Huskies | Oregon looks like the best team in the Pac-10 | Seattle Times Newspaper
Not a lot of Pac-10 football programs will concede this, but let's say it like it is: Today, it's Oregon's world and the rest of them are just leasing cubicles.
Pac-10 expansion: Previewing the ADs meeting | College Hotline
Commish Larry Scott pulled an Oregon Trail double dip, catching the first part of ASU-Oregon State, then heading over to Eugene for the primetime showdown. He carved out a few minutes at halftime to brief reporters on expansion-related matters, even though there isn’t much to report.