HOT COUGAR ACTION: What we know as WSU Prepares for Oregon

It's been a busy week at CougCenter with the launch of SB Nation United, but while all of that has been going on, the football team continued to prepare for Oregon. To make sure we didn't miss anything from the week, let's run through what we know from the week of practice.

• Connor Halliday appears set to start his third straight game as he continues to get the majority of first-team repetitions. In his weekly chat, Christian Caple estimated Halliday was taking somewhere between 60 and 70 percent of the first team snaps with Jeff Tuel getting the rest. We still don't know if Halliday Wally Pipp'd Tuel or if Tuel is still not healthy enough to play.
• The offensive line is currently having some depth issues with Wade Jacobson coming back from injury and Dan Spitz' status still unknown. Jacobson started to work his way back Wednesday, but has yet to go through a full practice since leaving the Colorado game with an injury. After missing last with with a "personal issue" Spitz returned for one day of practice this week before being absent the last two days. WSU's offensive line is precariously thin right now.
• Taylor Taliulu continues to work with the second-team after starting the first game. The random drop from starter to not seeing the field had some a bit confused, but Christian cleared that up a bit in his chat. We first heard Taliulu didn't play against UNLV because of a bad week of practice. Now there is this:

Breske said yesterday he thought Taliulu was overwhelmed against Eastern, so he's backing up Bucannon now while Locker and Toomer battle over the free safety spot.

Washington State will go through a light practice Thursday, mostly just a walk-through, before heading to Seattle on Friday.

Football

Jack Thompson connection pays off for linebacker Cyrus Coen, Washington State | Cougar Football | The Seattle Times
The story of how Cyrus Coen became a promising linebacker at Washington State doesn't begin with his high school career in Honolulu. It goes back a couple of generations, to an old familiar name in WSU football lore.

High-scoring Ducks pose major test for WSU | KREM.com Spokane
PULLMAN - In what will likely be their toughest test of the season, Washington State has the tall task of bouncing back from its disappointing loss to Colorado against the 2nd ranked three-time defending Pac-12 champs from Eugene.

Portland Tribune and Community Newspapers - DUCKS NOTES: Airborne Cougars, the Lyerla Look, Kelly on the Oregon O-line, and Alonso among the 'top players' in the nation
The Washington State Cougars realize it'll be a daunting task to beat Oregon in their Pac-12 matchup, 7:30 p.m. Saturday (ESPN2) at CenturyLink Field in Seattle.

Talking Ducks with Choate, plus practice notes - SportsLink - Spokesman.com - Sept. 26, 2012
FROM PULLMAN — The Cougars continued working on their scout today for this weekend's game against Oregon, practicing for another two hours or so. We have notes and quotes, so read on.

Portland Tribune and Community Newspapers - Jason says: Ducks could make quick work of Cougars
Given that Mike Leach took over as Washington State coach, bringing his passing game with him and renewed hope, I envisioned the Cougars giving Oregon some fits in their 2012 matchup at CenturyLink Field in Seattle (7:30 p.m. Saturday, ESPN 2).

History Lesson: 1957 Oregon vs. Washington State - Autzen Zoo - An Oregon Ducks Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and more.
In the dying days of the Pacific Coast Conference, Oregon started to emerge as a top team under Len Casanova. The first meeting when either team was ranked in the top 25 belonged to Washington State, as well as the victory, back in 1951. In the second meeting, the Cougars had another top 25 ranking, but not the same result.

Oregon at Washington State | Lindy's Sports
QB Connor Halliday — The sophomore appears likely to get his third straight start in place of the injured Jeff Tuel, though the two entered the week listed as co-starters. Halliday has thrown for 285 yards per game to rank fourth in the conference, but he also has tossed five interceptions, also most in the conference.

Oregon Football: Washington State by the numbers - Autzen Zoo - An Oregon Ducks Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and more.
Quick season summary for WSU: Washington State is currently 2-2, and has an 0-1 start in the conference – losing to Colorado last week who didn’t win a game this season beforehand.

Does Washington State Football Have a Leadership Problem? - KHQ Right Now - News and Weather for Spokane and North Idaho |
PULLMAN, Wash. - At Washington State this week, it's all about leadership. Who will step up and point the way? Could it be Connor Halliday?

Oregon Football: Three Cougars on Defense - Autzen Zoo - An Oregon Ducks Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and more.
The Oregon Ducks are on the road for the first time this season when they take on the Washington State Cougars (2-2, 0-1 Pac-12) this coming Saturday at CenturyLink Field in Seattle. CenturyLink Field is home to the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks. The Cougars have defeated Eastern Washington and UNLV while dropping games to BYU and Colorado.

Cougars have mixed reactions about Seattle game - Spokesman.com - Sept. 26, 2012
PULLMAN – Connor Halliday is nothing if not honest. So when the Washington State quarterback was asked what he thought about playing Saturday’s home game against Oregon at CenturyLink Field in Seattle instead of at home in Pullman, he didn’t hold back.Pac-12 Roundtable: Washington State disappoints the most in Week 4 - Pacific Takes

The Washington State Cougars disappoint the most in blowing their 4th quarter lead to the Colorado Buffaloes. Utah was meek in their loss to Arizona State and Arizona's offense did nothing against Oregon.

Cougars not ready to give in to Ducks | The Columbian
PULLMAN – A national television audience will tune in to Saturday night's college football game at CenturyLink Field, and the vast majority of viewers expect to witness something even uglier than the controversial end of Monday night's NFL game between the Seahawks and Packers.

How We Go: Oregon offense looks to cut turnovers and penalties against WSU - Addicted To Quack
Oregon ranks near the bottom of the country in both categories. WSU provides a great opportunity for the Ducks to clean up both areas.

Playing in Seattle mixed bag for Cougars - Spokesman.com - Sept. 27, 2012
PULLMAN – Connor Halliday is nothing if not honest. So when the Washington State quarterback was asked what he thought about playing Saturday’s home game against Oregon at CenturyLink Field in Seattle instead of at home in Pullman, he didn’t hold back.

Pac-12 pick 'em, week 5 - SportsLink - Spokesman.com - Sept. 26, 2012
As usual, post your straight-up and against-the-spread predictions for each game.

Cougars hope to ground high-flying Ducks | WSU Cougars | The Bellingham Herald

Coming off a dominant performance in their Pac-12 Conference opener, the second-ranked Oregon Ducks are set to take on the Washington State Cougars in Seattle on Saturday night.

WSU Athletics

Cougar Soccer Battles Pac-12 Rivals on the Road - The Washington State University Official Athletic Site

Washington State (6-2-1) spends another weekend on the road, where it will face the two newest conference opponents...first up for the Cougars is Utah, Friday at Ute Field in Salt Lake City...kickoff is scheduled for noon Pacific, and will be televised live on the Pac-12 Networks.