Washington State travels to Colorado this week to play an important game of football. While many fan are looking forward to an Apple Cup with huge implications, this matchup with Buffs cannot be overlooked. Saturday's game is the biggest for the football program since the 2003 season.
WSU has played many of the nation's finest teams in the last 13 years, but this week's showdown will be the first time that they will be playing in a game between ranked teams since George W. Bush's first term. The Cougs played three ranked games in 2003, and the biggest came in November when the sixth ranked Cougars traveled to no. 3 USC and fell 43-17, dashing their Rose Bowl hopes.
There are other historical angles in play too, as the Cougs have the opportunity to match a program high nine game winning streak. Only once has that feat been achieved, in 1930. Over the years quite a few teams (2002, 2001 and 1997 recently) have put together seven game winning streaks, but the current streak has put Luke Falk & Co. in special company.
Babe Hollingbery's team started the 1930 season with with nine straight wins before falling to undefeated Alabama in the Rose Bowl. Of course this 2016 rendition of Cougar football is the closest thing to ever get to that historic season 86 years ago. What possibly could be more Mike Leach than having, potentially, the hottest Wazzu team ever directly after losing to Eastern Washington and Boise St.
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Football:
WSU QB Luke Falk says running threat has been vital to No. 20 Cougars' success
Washington State quarterback Luke Falk may be in the Heisman Trophy conversation, but he said the Cougars' improved running game deserves a lot of credit.
How the Cougars activated the now-lethal ground wing of WSU’s Air Raid attack | The Seattle Times
It took five years, but Washington State now has an efficient ground attack to go with its Air Raid offense. Here's a look at how it was built
College Sports: Just like at Texas Tech, Mike Leach has revitalized a once-struggling football program at Washington State | SportsDay
PULLMAN, Wash. -- Two weeks into this season Mike Leach was ripping his Washington State team for being soft, decrying participation-trophy culture...
Washington State vs. Colorado Prediction, Preview, Spread
Looking for a Washington State vs. Colorado preview? Stick around. We’ve got all of the pre-game analysis before the Pac-12 matchup.
WSU basketball heads to the Virgin Islands for Paradise Jam | The Spokesman-Review
Washington State coach Ernie Kent was so pleased with his team’s trip to Italy this summer, he could not wait to take another journey away from the continental United States.
WSU linebacker Logan Tago’s suspension lifted | The Spokesman-Review
Washington State linebacker Logan Tago will return to the classroom and football field from his suspension while the student conduct board reviews his and other cases that were affected by a Wednesday ruling by the Whitman County Superior Court.
WSU’s Luke Falk named Burlsworth finalist, Walter Camp semifinalist | The Spokesman-Review
For the second straight season, Luke Falk is a finalist for the Burlsworth Trophy and a semifinalist for the Walter Camp Trophy.
The pick: Why Colorado will beat Washington State | The Spokesman-Review
The Washington State Cougars are on a tear – all they do is win. The Cougars have not lost a game since mid-September, and they have not come close since October. They also have not played anybody good in a long, long time.
Basketball:
Preview: Washington State vs. Creighton - Channel4000
A balanced scoring attack and some legitimate 3-point threats have No. 20 Creighton feeling good heading into Friday's affair with Washington State. This game marks the final first-round matchup at the Paradise Jam, an eight-team tournament in the Virgin Islands that also features Ole Miss, North Carolina State and Saint Joseph's.