Pulse of the Fans: Bowl Contenders?

Washington State University football is a tradition, an obsession, and for the fans a lifestyle. If you have ever been to Pullman then you know how electric the atmosphere is at a game. The student section is always hopping, the alumni get loud and the student athletes get pumped.

WSU fans are some of the most passionate fans in college football. Win or lose the WSU faithful have their team’s back. The last decade has not been kind to the Palouse. But the last two years have brought cautious optimism to Pullman.

“Defense is playing with effort which we never saw at all last year, so I think we can be a bowl contender,” said WSU junior, Justin Rice.

After two games this season, the Cougs have just given up 38 points. The defense only allowed seven points last week against #25 ranked University of Southern California (USC) as they won their first game of the season 10-7. Rice has a point; over the last three seasons (not including the current one) the Cougs have given up a combined average of 33.6 points a game.

With optimism comes the expected pessimism. Cougars QB Connor Halliday has been up and down so far to start the year. He has given up three turnovers in each game, five INTs and one fumble.

“The Cougars will live and die by Halliday this year,” said WSU junior Kyle Nishida. “He plays erratically and I don’t trust him to throw the deep ball, because he hasn’t been successful yet this year.”

As you can see there are at least two opinions on the Cougs success going forward. Will they continue to disappoint? Or is this the year that the Cougs reach a bowl game? We will just have to wait and see, but one thing is for sure: these players are entertaining and can really put on a show.

After the strong win against USC, you can expect Martin Stadium to be packed for the home opener against Southern Utah on September 14, 2013. The 2013 team is a different brand of Washington State football than people are used to.

Look out, PAC-12. As Glenn Johnson would say, HERE COME THE COOOUUUUGGGSSSSS!