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Good morning Coug fans. This time next week, we’ll be gearing up for Cougar Football Saturday. It’s been a long offseason. The college football season kicks of today with two FBS games, one of which includes a Pac-12 team.
WSU still has week until it takes the field, but the Florida Gators and Miami Hurricanes get things started with a rivalry game in Orlando. The Arizona Wildcats and Hawaii Rainbow Warriors play later tonight.
Speaking of Orlando, that’s where ESPN’s College GameDay is set up this morning. Specifically, the set is in Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. That’s a unique setting with different rules and such for fans wanting to attend the show. Why does that matter to Coug fans?
Ol’ Crimson.
For the past couple weeks, we’ve heard how Ol’ Crimson might not make it on screen, thus snapping the streak going on 16 years. The Magic Kingdom had different rules for signs and flags, though those were amended recently. ESPN’s Lee Fitting also indicated that ‘Ol Crimson would have no problem showing up. Ol’ Crimson’s own Booster Club president confirmed it as well:
Just spoke with CJ McCoy, the @olcrimson Booster Club President, or CFO (Chief Flag Officer) if you will. He confirms to me, "You'll see the flag" on the @CollegeGameDay set tomorrow morning.
— Theo Lawson (@TheoLawson_SR) August 23, 2019
UPDATE: Well, as expected, Ol’ Crimson got some screen time about five minutes after posting this. Good on ESPN and the Ol’ Crimson Booster Club for making it happen:
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I was always of the opinion that ESPN would make exceptions for Ol’ Crimson. I mean, why would ESPN allow the Ol’ Crimson streak end? The flag is as much of a tradition for ESPN as it is for WSU. This is a flag that was allowed on an aircraft carrier, got a police escort at UW after a local radio loud mouth put a bounty on it, and was quickly shipped to the set when the normally used flag got stuck in the mail.
There was no way it wasn’t showing up.
Now, I’m publishing this as GameDay is happening, so this could become outdated in no time. Oh well. It’s college football season. Rejoice and be glad.
Links
2019 Pac-12 expert picks: Overrated, underrated teams and predicted order of finish - CBSSports.com
Taking a close, detailed and opinionated look at the Pac-12 as the 2019 college football season gets underway
The Herbies are here for the 2019 season
Kirk Herbstreit submits his picks for the ultimate game-changer, breakout star and a whole lot more. Plus, he makes his College Football Playoff predictions.
In-depth glance: Projecting and examining the three-deep at every defensive and special teams position for Washington State | The Spokesman-Review
As the season approaches, we give you our idea of what WSU’s three-deep will like when the Cougars host New Mexico State on Aug. 31, with in-depth looks at every position on defense and special teams.
Anthony Gordon won WSU QB job by going short, not deep
If he struggles, how much leash will Leach give him before calling Gubrud's number?
Washington State Football Coach Mike Leach | Sports Radio 610 AM
Clint Stoerner and Rick Kamla talked with Washington State head football coach Mike Leach about the matchup next month at NRG Stadium between his Cougars and the Houston Cougars, thoughts on expanding the college football playoffs, and more.