Welcome to the 2013 season

The WSU flags are flying on College GameDay and Cougar fans are drinking bars dry. Yup, college football is officially here.

In roughly 14 hours WSU fans will either be incredibly happy or feeling the all-to-familiar depression of another loss. We can hope for the former even if we expect the latter, but at least soon we will have an understanding of what kind of team WSU is going to be this year.

Is the offensive line improved? Did Connor Halliday really adjust to the Air Raid? Will WSU miss Travis Long more than maybe everyone is anticipating? It won't be long until we are finally able to begin answering those questions and more. No matter what happens tonight, the result won't define WSU's season. They can win tonight and still have a terrible year. They could lose tonight and still make a bowl game. No matter what happens, at least something is finally going to start happening on the field.

Go Cougs.

Football:

WSU at Auburn: Questions and Answers - SportsLink - Spokesman.com - Aug. 30, 2013
FROM AUBURN — Being that this is the season opener, we decided we'd give you a little bonus and ask not one, but two Auburn beat writers a series of five questions. This week's kind guests are Brandon Marcello, who covers Auburn for AL.com, and Ryan Black, who covers Auburn for the Ledger-Enquirer based in Columbus, Ga. Read on for my questions and their answers.

2-minute drill: WSU at Auburn - Spokesman.com - Aug. 30, 2013
1 Stop the run. It’s no secret that Auburn coach Gus Malzahn wants to establish the run to set up the pass, but quarterback Nick Marshall won’t have to pass if the Tigers, led by running back Tre Mason, are able to move the ball effectively on the ground.

Predicting WSU's final record - SportsLink - Spokesman.com - Aug. 30, 2013
The task was pretty simple. I asked a handful of other scribes to write a sentence or two about their opinion of WSU's prospects for the 2013 season. Here's what they wrote.

WSU, Auburn seek turnarounds | HeraldNet.com - Sports
AUBURN, Ala. -- Washington State and Auburn are armed with innovative offenses and hopes that they won't repeat nightmarish seasons.

Beat writer breakdown: 5 questions about Washington State | al.com
The 36-hour drive to Washington State's campus is daunting, but thankfully we do have some intel on Auburn's first opponent of the season thanks to beat writer Christian Caple.

Auburn tailgaters not quite sure what to make of Cougars - Spokesman.com - Aug. 31, 2013
AUBURN, Ala. – Come back in an hour and a half, Michael Garber says, because that’s when his tiger-striped party bus will actually be properly assembled, lit up and ready for friends to drink inside (and around) and passersby to gawk at.

Mike Leach trying to pump life into Washington State football team - The Denver Post
Mike Leach is writing a book about Geronimo, which falls in line with the pirates and warrior culture that fascinates Washington State's football coach. Leach probably could relate to Geronimo after all the battles he fought in his first year in the Palouse.

What they're saying about Washington State the day before Auburn (links) | al.com
Washington State, according to its travel plans and a few tweets from the Cougars' official account, is lodged in Alabama right now, trying to acclimate to the state's humidity before the season-opener against Auburn at 6 p.m. Saturday night in a game televised on ESPNU.

Scouting Report: Five players to watch on Washington State's defense | al.com
Washington State gave up several long passes and also missed tackles in 2012, but the Cougars are about as aggressive as they come on defense.

An unlikely departure from the WSU football program as opener nears | Bud Withers | The Seattle Times
Half a block from famed Toomer’s Corner, some Washington State fans whooped it up at a barbecue joint, forecasting the score in Saturday evening’s football game with a decided WSU slant.

Women's soccer:

One WSU team already got the weekend off to a good start as the women's soccer team knocked off Idaho.

*****

Micaela Castain Leads Cougars Past Vandals - Washington State University Official Athletic Site
Washington State senior Micaela Castain tied her career high with six points and the Cougars routed visiting Idaho 5-0 in nonconference soccer, Friday.