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Good morning, Cougar fans. As Saturday dawns over the Palouse, our beloved football team faces a turning-point game against the Oregon State Beavers. It always seems like the team from Corvallis pops up on the schedule when the Cougars stand at the crossroads, doesn't it? More than once in the past, the Beavers have foiled WSU's attempts at turning the ever-elusive "corner" that many of us often look for, even though we all know that rare is the instance when a team's progress is linear.
For WSU, Saturday's game is a huge opportunity to continue the quest for a bowl game. There is no question that this is one of the least-imposing Oregon State teams we've seen in a while. Their only two wins have come against an FCS team and a Mountain West also-ran. They start a true freshman quarterback, and their defense hasn't exactly shut down quality offenses this season.
Although the Cougs have shown the propensity to come out flat at home this season, that shouldn't be the case this time. By all accounts, this is the most excited that fans have been for a home game in quite some time. The homecoming crowd will be fired up, and that will almost certainly help get the players going. But don't take my word for it, let's see what the mood is via the world's most reliable news source, Twitter:
Does it make one sound old if I say Pullman's gonna get crunk this weekend? Asking for a friend.
— Glenn Duggan (@GlennDuggan) October 17, 2015
When your parents are out sending selfies from bars in Pullman and you're at home in bed...#gradschoolproblems #WSUHomecoming
— Hannah Jacobs (@hannyjay28) October 16, 2015
I had not driven into Pullman the evening before a sold-out home game before. Not sure I recommend it.
— Jacob Thorpe (@JacobThorpeSR) October 17, 2015
Land in Pullman and the flight attendant makes an announcement: "That's officially the most beer we ever gone through on a flight." #GoCougs
— Jessamyn McIntyre (@JessaMcIntyre) October 17, 2015
Woke up at 530 ready to head down to Pullman. I may have a problem. #GoCougs
— Jason Crigger (@PossumJ16) October 17, 2015
Welcome Home, Cougs. Valhalla missed you. #GoCougs #WSUHomecoming pic.twitter.com/DHhz3exEo5
— Valhalla Bar & Grill (@ValhallaPullman) October 17, 2015
NOT EVEN ARBY'S IS SAFE
Pullman fire is responding to a 2 alarm fire at Arby's - smoke was visible from outside. 4 employees were inside at time, all out safely
— The Daily Evergreen (@DailyEvergreen) October 17, 2015
The alums are ready. The fans are ready. The weather is perfect (seriously, who could imagine such a perfect setting in mid-October?). Come on, Cougars, show us all that you're ready, too. Go Cougs
Football
Leach doesn’t dance around subject of running backs - Spokesman.com - Oct. 16, 2015
In news that is unlikely to result in shocked people spitting their morning coffee upon these pages (or computer screen), Mike Leach is not a big fan of dancing.
2-minute drill: WSU vs. Oregon State - Spokesman.com - Oct. 16, 2015
The Cougars can’t let those Beavers ghosts cost them a conference win today or OSU will send another promising season off track.
WSU’s Dom Williams plays with heavy heart in wake of grandmother’s death | The Seattle Times
If you only read one of the linked stories, make sure it's this one. Stefanie Loh wrote a sensational piece here.
Pac-12 viewer's guide: Week 7
The Cougars are coming off their biggest win in recent memory, and the Beavers are in full desperation mode following a 44-7 pasting at the hands of Arizona.
Pac-12 Week 7 game picks
WARNING WARNING WARNING. WSU IS THE CONSENSUS PICK. SET LETDOWN LEVEL TO UPSETCON 1. REPEAT, UPSETCON 1. THIS IS NOT A DRILL.
Oregon State vs. Washington State Prediction, Game Preview | College Football News
It would be entirely possible for Wazzu to stumble a week after stunning Oregon at Autzen Stadium. But not against an Oregon State team that has little going right these days. And in that regard, the Cougars have gotten a break from the scheduling gods.
Volleyball
Volleyball Defeats Oregon State 3-1 - Washington State University Official Athletic Site
The Washington State volleyball team (14-5 overall, 3-4 Pac-12) defeated Oregon State (4-14, 2-6) with set scores of 25-23, 16-25, 25-22, and 25-9, Friday night before a Homecoming crowd of 1,092 in Bohler Gym.
Soccer
Soccer Falls to Arizona in Front of Record Crowd - Washington State University Official Athletic Site
The No. 16 Cougars (11-3-0, 4-2-0) had 25 shots in the match, including nine on goal, but were unable to find the back of the net against the Wildcats (9-4-1, 3-3-0), who scored in the 36th minute. The crowd of 2,251 fans in attendance bested the previous home record of 1,652 fans at the match Oct. 16, 2011.
Beer
Big Beer’s 5-Point Plan to Crush the Craft Beer Revolution | Money.com
The $104 billion merger of Anheuser Busch and SABMiller is intended to assure dominance in the marketplace and put craft beer in its place.
Regrettable Uniform Decisions
Ohio State's black uniforms - Do you like them? What would you suggest for Buckeyes next look? | cleveland.com
Say it ain't so, Brutus. You're better than this.
Non-Sports
What Do We Really Know About Osama bin Laden’s Death? - The New York Times
The official narrative of the hunt for and killing of bin Laden at first seemed like a clear portrait, but in effect it was more like a composite sketch from multiple perspectives: the Pentagon, the White House and the C.I.A. And when you studied that sketch a little more closely, not everything looked quite right.