Hot Cougar Action: A closer look at the 2013 football schedule

We already knew WSU was going to play Auburn next season, but with the Tigers releasing their 2013 schedule this week, we now know that game will be on August 31.

With the Idaho game already set for September 21, the non-conference schedule is taking shape. WSU and BYU haven't officially announced a date yet, but we can make an educated guess. With Pac-12 scheduling rules limiting non-conference games to the first four weeks of the season and the open dates in BYU's 2013 schedule, we can assume that game will be played during the week of September 14.

BYU is scheduled to play Texas on September 7, so if they make the trip to Pullman next year, it will be sometime between September 12-14. With the Auburn game set for August 31, it looks like WSU will have two bye weeks next season. I can't find the exact rule, but I believe there is a Pac-12 rule which limits early season conference games. Stanford and USC played early this season but that was likely the Notre Dame factor. In that case and assuming the Apple Cup is the weekend after Thanksgiving, here is a look at the likely 2013 schedule.

8/31 -- at Auburn

9/7 -- BYE

9/14 -- vs. BYU

9/21 -- vs. Idaho

9/28 -- Open

10/5 -- Open

10/12 -- Open

10/19 -- Open

10/26 -- Open

11/2 -- Open

11/9 -- Open

11/16 -- Open

11/23 -- Open

11/30 -- at Washington

It's possible the Apple Cup could be played the week before Thanksgiving, but that would force WSU to play 11 straight games. The Cougars may not always get preferential treatment when it comes to scheduling, but I seriously doubt that happens.

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Football

Oregon-USC loses luster, still Pac-12 game of the year - Spokesman.com - Oct. 31, 2012
Before the season started, when media members overwhelmingly voted Southern California as their pick to win the Pac-12 championship, there was one game, many believed, that would be determine whether a team from this conference might run the table

Former WSU kicker to speak at Apple Cup Tailgate Luncheon | The Wenatchee World
WENATCHEE — Former Wenatchee Valley College athlete and Washington State University kicker Don Sweet will be the main speaker at the 2012 Apple Cup Tailgate Luncheon, to be held Thursday at the Wenatchee Convention Center.

Staff wins over Wazzu commit Freeman - Football Recruiting - West Region Blog - ESPN
“There’s an abundance of mutual respect between us, and I feel they will push me to higher success,” Freeman said. “I am a big fan of what Coach McGuire and Coach Leach did at Texas Tech, so being considered by them now is a dream come true. I am grateful and feel extremely honored, and that’s what drove me to make this decision.”

Leach V. Holgorsen: Klein is Making Snyder Look Like the Offensive Genius - Football Study Hall
While there is no single way to build a successful program, at least for one year, Bill Snyder’s squad is making its coach look like an offensive genius.

Utes look to keep momentum going against Wazzu - Block U
The safest approach to these next few games shouldn't be too much different than our approach to the last few - Utah can certainly play their way into a bowl bid, but at the moment, it's still an uphill battle.

Promising news for Tuel, and WSU notes - SportsLink - Spokesman.com - Oct. 30, 2012
FROM PULLMAN — Mike Leach said on today's Pac-12 coaches call that Jeff Tuel's application for a fifth year of eligibility has been approved by the conference. Now, it's up to the NCAA. So what does that mean for his chances? It's hard to say just yet. But today's news isn't a bad sign. Read on.

WSU Athletics

Cougar Cruise to Exhibition Win Behind Solid Defense - The Washington State University Official Athletic Site
PULLMAN, Wash. - Washington State University posted a 67-52 exhibition victory over visiting Simon Fraser University at Beasley Coliseum Tuesday.