WSU vs. Oregon State: why you need to be there

Good morning, Coug Fans. We are gearing up for another exciting weekend of college football as Oregon State is about to make the 6 hour and 57 minute trek up to say hi to our Washington State Cougars.

The WSU vs. OSU game is always a special one for me, as I am from Oregon. Growing up, most of my friends were Duck fans (tragic), but I had the occasional Beaver ally. For that reason, it’s really hard for me to say mean things about the Oregon State Beavers. I want to write another paragraph of jokes, but honestly I’ve noticed a certain connotation that both schools have when it comes to in-state rivalries- so I’ll cut them some slack and instead give you a childhood-Emma story.

During my time in school and any interactions with my green and yellow companions, I was rarely spared from some good old fashioned teasing. The year in question is 2010, and our beloved Cougs were...suffering. As was tiny, awkward Emma who was too gangly for her own good. I had mostly male friends, a lot of whom were smitten by UO’s 12-1 record that year. Which only opened the door further for remarks about “our team this, your team that”. But somehow I wouldn’t trade it for the world- all their snide remarks made our recent success even sweeter. And while this year might not feel like success to you Gardner Minshew newbies, call me when we’ve finished the season at a sad 2-10. I like to give credit where credit is due: live through that, then we’ll talk.

Tomorrow isn’t about UO, though. It’s about us and the Beavs.

Here’s your mini-breakdown:

OSU is also sitting on a 5-5, which means they also need this to become bowl eligible. Raise your hand if you’re a little sick of reading that sentence. I’m a little sick of typing it, but the fact remains.

Their QB is Jake Luton, who has thrown for 2,306 yards which would be intimidating if our very own Player of the Week Gunslingin’ Anthony Gordon had not accumulated 4,314 passing yards. Gordo is roughly one game away from doubling Luton, as he stands currently. See kids, math can be cool!

Isaiah Hodgins (WR) has 13 touchdowns and 1,021 yards. I have nothing to say about this because I’m too busy hiding in a corner. I hope our defense does not make me an example.

Hamilcar Rashed Jr. (LB) has 14 sacks, which is not super cool, and I would love it if that number didn’t go up this weekend.

Avery Roberts (LB) has 43 tackles which again, I do not love.

You know what I would love, though? A decent turn out at this game. Actually, I would love an excellent turn out. Now I want to go home for my own holiday break more than the next guy, but we’re about to watch a battle of epic opportunities go down. And if I actually went to school there, you know where I would be.

Hear me out- if the students think that their participation doesn’t matter, they couldn’t be more wrong. We have seen fans shut down plays, cause delay of games, and most importantly: show support for causes bigger than any one of us.

And not to make this a big deal, I just thought it was funny and worth mentioning: we were promised an eventful game. The social media campaign for it has been incredibly spirited. This isn’t a regular rival for us, but there is so much on the line. It’s more than bowls, it’s about community. It’s senior night. Wazzu is a special program because it has the ability to make an athletic program, and the fans who support it, a family. I knew that when I was 12, and I know it now. I saw something similar in my OSU friends. A like-minded strength is found in people who are often looked over. Don’t overlook OSU, but also be confident in your skills. Check in on friends and family. See you tomorrow, go be great. And throw up a 3.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline — you’re never alone:

1-800-273-8255

Now for some links:

WSU women’s soccer team to clash with Cavaliers | Sports | lmtribune.com
Getting to the second round of the NCAA tournament was business as usual for the Washington State soccer team.

Robinson, Omaha beat WSU Cougars in Pullman 85-77
KJ Robinson scored 18 of his 20 points in the second half, JT Gibson finished with 18 points, and Omaha beat WSU 85-77 on Thursday night.

Bowl projections: Boise State vs. Washington State in Vegas | Idaho Statesman
Our latest bowl projections for the 2019 season include a look at who could play in the New Year’s Six and Mountain West bowl games.

ASU volleyball upsets No. 22 Washington State for second time
ASU volleyball beat nationally ranked Washington State for the second time this season Thursday, improving their NCAA Tournament chances.

A Grip on Sports: The crystal ball may be cloudy but we like to look into it at times anyway | The Spokesman-Review
A GRIP ON SPORTS • A couple of things happened yesterday that may bode well for the future. Of course we will examine them through our virtual microscope. It’s what we do.

College volleyball: No. 22 Washington State falls at Arizona State | SWX Right Now - Sports for Spokane, CdA, Tri-Cities, WA
Washington State got off to a slow start it was unable to overcome in a 25-23, 25-20, 19-25, 25-21 loss to Arizona State in a Pac-12 Conference women’s volleyball match Thursday in Tempe, Arizona