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Good morning. I’m old enough to remember a time when stalking the magazine aisle in early June - the North Spokane Rosauers always re-stocked on Friday mornings - was the only way to get one’s hands on a college football preview before late August. We all know that isn’t the case anymore, as the advent of the interwebs brought with it exponential proliferation of what had been a niche industry.
Among the scores of football previews out there is the Orlando Sentinel. Wait, why is a newspaper in Orlando publishing a WSU outlook? Well, they actually preview every FBS team, and they’ve been doing it for some time. There wasn’t any earth-shattering news contained in the writeup, but they did a good job of summing up the tumult the program went through in the offseason.
Few programs have been through so many twists and turns in the offseason as Washington State. From Hilinski’s death, to the rumors about Leach being a potential candidate for the Tennessee job to the five staff departures, the Cougars have been forced to adapt to change. There’s enough reason to believe the Cougars could have a tough go in 2018.
A Pac-12 North title may be out of reach, but a return to a bowl game is still in the cards.
Along with season previews, coaching rankings seem to be an idea for offseason content that just about every college football-related website is taking a shot at these days. After all, if there’s anything internetters love, it’s a good ol’ list of rankings.
College Football News ranked both the Pac-12 and the entirety of FBS this week. Mike Leach came in sixth among Pac-12 coaches, which is a tad lower than what we’ve seen from other lists. I’d think about putting him ahead of Clay Helton, and I’d certainly have him ranked higher than Kyle Whittingham.
Leach checks in at Number 33 nationally, sandwiched between this year’s Mountain West opponent, Craig Bohl, and one of the MWC coaches Leach beat last season in Bryan Harsin. Mid-30s seems about right to me. The blurb Pete Fiutak wrote for Leach was perfect.
Record With Current Team: 7th season, 38-38
Where He’ll Be In Five Years: Still cranking up the offense at Washington State – and still looking for a trip to the Pac-12 Championship.
I couldn’t agree more.
Football
Despite hurdles, Washington State is No. 48 in 2018 preseason college football rankings - Orlando Sentinel
Washington State has dealt with a tumultuous offseason, but the Cougars return enough talent to earn the No. 48 spot in the Orlando Sentinel 2018 preseason college football rankings.
CU opponent preview: Washington State aims to maintain success - Buffzone
For years, it seemed as if Washington State might never find a way to win in football.
Preview 2018: Ranking The Pac-12 Coaches | College Football News
He’s always going to crank up an amazing offense, but he has just one division title – a three-way tie – in his 16 years as a head man.
CFN Preview 2018 College Football Head Coach Rankings: No. 1 to 130 | College Football News | Page 4
Who doesn't love more coaching rankings?!
Preview 2018: Top 30 Offensive Tackles | College Football News
The 6-5, 305-pound All-Pac-12 performer fits exactly what the Wazzu offense needs from its tackle.
Beer
Best beer bourbon I had this week: Had a few tasty brews, but this week we’re gonna venture out a bit. In addition to completing my Blanton’s stopper collection (Yea me! This is what dads do for fun!), the Mrs. and I went out with some friends Saturday night. After dinner, my buddy, who knows far more about bourbon than I do, spotted some Colonel E.H. Taylor Four Grain on the menu. Man alive, it was sensational.
As far as beer, what northwest-centric website wouldn’t love a ranking of IPAs? Well, here ya go.
Best IPAs in America: IPA Beer Worth Trying Right Now - Thrillist
Raise a glass. It's a good time to be an IPA lover. And here are the absolute best IPAs in America right now.
Non-Sports
Unadulterated Joy: An Oral History of ‘Step Brothers’ - The Ringer
This is the true story of Adam McKay, Will Ferrell, and John C. Reilly’s side-splittingly twisted exploration of male arrested development, the most fun movie to make ever made.