There was a lot of news out of Pullman Tuesday, and it's likely there will be some more today, so we'll get this post out of the way before it becomes irrelevant.
First, there was the news that Marshall Lobbestael will start Saturday against Stanford.
Tuel's status will be evaluated tomorrow after an x-ray. But he reiterated in his Tuesday press conference, which we summarize below, Lobbestael will start this week against Stanford.
The results of that x-ray will go a long way in determining Tuel's status for this weekend and potentially the season. Vince Grippi has written this week that Tuel is getting more reps with the first team and is throwing the ball better, signs which could point to medical clearance and at least limited action against Saturday.
The other news out of Pullman Tuesday came via an online chat by athletic director Bill Moos. Online chats don't typically produce hard hitting questions or answers, but I found the three answers below the most interesting. You can read the full chat here.
Lars (Bellevue): Bill I have a question about the Pac 12 Washington Regional Network. Are we assured to get a 50/50 split of programming time between us and UW?
Bill Moos: Lars, my understanding is that all 12 conference members will have exposure through the Pac-12 Network. That is unprecedented. The Washington region of the Pac-12 Network will offer maximum opportunities for the fans of both Washington and Washington State to view their respective school's competitions.
Coug Supporter: Bill - what do you feel is an acceptable Athletic Annual Budget number to be competing at the top of the Pac-12 conference?
Bill Moos: For Washington State Athletics to be fully staffed, realize competitive salaries, and to continue to invest in facilities, an annual budget of somewhere around $60 million would be necessary in my opinion. In order for us to realize this number it will require a dramatic increase in our donor base as well as our football season ticket sales.
Dean (Auburn): Any chance games in Pullman will be scheduled for Thursday nights in the coming seasons? I hope not as it will be difficult for west-siders to attend (I'm a season ticket holder).
Bill Moos: Dean, all Pac-12 institutions will play on Thursday or Friday nights an average of once every two years beginning in 2012. That could be at home or on the road. This was one of the concessions needed in order for the conference to sign the most lucrative television deal in the history of college sports. Though I hate to see our fans inconvenienced, I do feel it's a small price to pay for the incredible increase that we will see in television revenue.
WSU preps for powerful Stanford - SportsLink - Spokesman.com - Oct. 11, 2011
Washington State is off the field after its first full-pad practice of the week. Nothing out of the ordinary, but we do have a couple things to pass along. Read on.
UA moves on after Stoops' firing - Spokesman.com - Oct. 11, 2011
PULLMAN – It doesn’t happen often, but it did on Monday. The University of Arizona made a coaching change in the middle of the season. Out was veteran Mike Stoops, shown the door after 10 consecutive losses vs. FBS schools and a 41-50 overall record. In, on an interim basis, is defensive coordinator Tim Kish, who came to Tucson with Stoops eight years ago.
Cougars Notebook: WSU has hands full with No. 7 Stanford " Kitsap Sun
PULLMAN — Back in the day, the NCAA sanctioned boxing. Washington State, in fact, won the NCAA boxing championship in 1937.
Ballin' is a Habit: The Only Conference Preview You Need To Read: Pac-12
Ryan Leaf pens book on WSU 1998 Rose Bowl run - Puget Sound Business Journal
If you’re wondering why Ryan Leaf and his 1998 Washington State University football team didn’t win the 1998 Rose Bowl game against Michigan, Leaf attempts to answer questions in his new book, "596 Switch."
SoccerAmerica - Washington State makes noise in Pac-12 10/11/2011
After a weekend sweep of new Pac-12 schools Utah and Colorado, Washington State debuted at No. 25 in the Soccer America Women's Top 25 rankings with a 10-4-1 record. It is 4-1-0 in the Pac-12, its best ever start in the conference.
Washington connections: Former Bellevue High School star David DeCastro starts at offensive guard for the Cardinal. Geoff Meinken, a Lynnwood High product who originally gave a verbal commitment to WSU, is the No. 2 fullback. Charlie Hopkins, a freshman defensive end from Gonzaga Prep in Spokane, is expected to redshirt. Former Clover Park High and Stanford quarterback Tavita Pritchard is a defensive assistant coach. Defensive line coach Randy Hart was a longtime assistant at Washington
Quick look at week seven games - Pac-12 Blog - ESPN
No. 7 Stanford (5-0, 3-0) at Washington State (3-2, 1-1) 7:30 p.m. Versus: Stanford owns the nation's longest winning streak at 13 games. The program has never won 14 games in a row. The Cardinal lead the series 35-25-1, winning 38-28 last year. Stanford led that game 31-7 entering the fourth quarter before the Cougars scored three TDs to narrow the final gap. The Cougars haven't beaten Stanford since 2007.
Midseason review: Washington State - Pac-12 Blog - ESPN
It started as a win-or-else season for Washington State coach Paul Wulff, and while the Cougars already have more wins than they did in any of Wulff's previous three seasons, he's not out of the woods yet.