The Icy Whites need to chill

Seasoned Washington State Cougars fans are probably familiar with the infamous “Curse of the Icy Whites”, but I’ll break it down for the newbies. Something wicked this way lies within the deceptively light fabric of the favored uniform choice.

Let’s investigate, shall we?

In 2018, the Cougs maintained a clean 11-2 record, one of those losses at the hands of USC - with WSU clad in white jerseys and a white helmet to match. In 2017, with a record of 9-4, each loss (dealt by Cal, Arizona, UW, and Michigan State respectively) was accompanied by a white jersey, white pants, a white helmet, or a combo platter.

This is where it gets fishy. Going back to 2010, no one’s favorite year by any means, the Cougs opened the season against Oklahoma State - and lost in epic fashion: 17 to 65. White jerseys.

Granted, this was knee-deep in the Paul Wulff era, who was a bad omen in his own right, but let’s continue to make this about uniforms rather than tangible data. I know this is a lot to unpack, but this is a burden that I have chosen to shoulder. Because it’s important.

I know what you’re thinking; this season we beat Houston with white pants and a white jersey, to which I say — the system isn’t perfect, OK? The loss against Utah? White jersey. The loss against Arizona State? White jersey, and a white helmet no less.

You’re also probably going “but Emma, a lot of these were road games! And we’ve won in white before! Like against UNLV in 2012! Or Arizona in 2013! How about wearing all white and being clad in victory against UO in 2017!” And I’d respond: wow, you have really done your homework. I won’t deny we’ve seen victory in the Icy Whites. You’ve made some great points. Honestly, you’re right too- the most consistent thing about this team (and this curse) is how inconsistent it can be. So I say: nothing gold can stay, not all white can win, but we sure can pray.

I have attached a Fancy Spreadsheet that I made below. And what did I learn from making this spreadsheet? Both that I have too much free time and that we have a serious problem that needs to be addressed. We lost this year’s UO game because of some bad luck, and I know where it came from. So do you. The white jersey. The curse.

I actually want to take a closer look at the University of Oregon game. This one stings. Ignoring any actual plays (or incompletes, or penalties, or - you get it), I blame this completely on the Curse of the Icy Whites because it hurts less to do so. And this is a fact that I can compile on my Fancy Spreadsheet, bury my head in the sand, and refuse to process anything else. In fact, here it is! My spreadsheet. Isn’t it sad? Aren’t you sad?

So that’s it. Nice to meet you, CougCenter. Do you believe in The Curse?

Links

Washington State Cougars 2017 Game Log | College Football at Sports-Reference.com
Washington State Cougars 2017 Game Log

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