Good morning, Coug fans! In the theme of 2020, it’s been quite the strange week or two for our Washington State Cougars. In terms of game content, I’ve never seen football and basketball overlap this aggressively but it sure has been interesting.

In a further strange shift of events, we are about to experience a College Football Sunday- it’s still CFS with a twist.

It’s also expected that this week will usher in the return of Mullet Mania, a phrase I would like to coin and take credit for immediately. Nick Rolovich did say he expects the crimson mullet himself Jayden de Laura to return against USC.

USC will start Kedon Slovis- he’s bringing a 70.7% completion for passing and an intimidating one rushing yard, which is an improvement from last year, a whopping -57 yards. Trojan fans appear to be concerned about other teams having a stronger ability to turn back over the ball, so assuming our defense can apply that kind of pressure, I’m sure we’re going to see a good game of football.

de Laura is trailing Slovis in passing yards by about 44% (de Laura’s rapidly increasing 548 yards compared to 970 from Slovis) but de Laura has had less time on the field. I’m guessing we’ll see a change in those numbers, especially after recovering from Covid.

While the two QBs bring different things to the table, both are around the same height and weight. and both are comparatively young- Slovis is a sophomore. I’m very much looking forward to this game.

I hope everyone is continuing to have a safe and healthy holiday season!

Links!

Pac-12 women’s basketball student-athletes, programs unite in conference-wide social justice effort to effect change in the fight against racism | Pac-12
With tipoff of conference play tomorrow, Pac-12 women’s basketball programs continue to focus on realities “bigger than basketball”

Pat Chun: Washington State taking 'day by day' approach, but right now 'all systems go' to play at USC Sunday | SWX Right Now - Sports for Spokane, CdA, Tri-Cities, WA
The regional stay-at-home order revealed by California Governor Gavin Newsom Thursday could take effect at some point in the next few days, but as of now Washington State's football game at USC on Sunday doesn't appear to be in grave danger as a result of the state's new health and safety measures.

WSU football mailbag: Will Gavin Newsom’s lockdown move USC game to the cold north? | The Seattle Times
Could WSU's game against USC on Sunday get moved from L.A. to Pullman? And what needs to happen for an Apple Cup to still take place?

Cougar notes: Empty stadium downer for SoCal Cougs | Sports | lmtribune.com
Before the Pac-10 added two schools, became the Pac-12 and split into two divisions, the always ample number of Southern Californians on the Washington State football roster knew they’d receive

A Grip on Sports: Local college basketball fans are lucky enough to be able to compare and contrast every game | The Spokesman-Review
A GRIP ON SPORTS • You decide. Would you rather have talent or grit as the centerpiece of your college basketball team? Here in the Inland Northwest, we are lucky enough to have examples of both.