Washington State
University has a football team to be proud of again. For the first time since
2006, the Cougars are bowl eligible. The only obstacle left for WSU is being
chosen for a bowl game.
Back in 2006, the
Cougars were skipped over for postseason play. The team’s last bowl appearance
was in 2003 against the University of Texas in the Holiday Bowl.
“For some of the
smaller bowl games, they look for teams that can score 50-plus points to get
fans to want to tune in,” said KUGR.org radio host, Justin Rice.
One aspect of the
bowl selection process is making sure both team’s have fans that will want to
travel and fill up the stadium. Money, specifically ticket sales, helps teams
sell a bowl on picking their team.
“I don’t think the
Cougars will have any trouble filling a stadium, they’re fans have been waiting
10 years to go to a bowl. If given the opportunity, Cougar fans will find a way
to the stadium one way or another,” said KUGR.org radio host Kyle Nishida.
Rice and Nishida
disagree on the Cougars offensive needs, but on defense they both think the
linebackers need to step up and make plays.
“They just seemed
to disappear in the Apple Cup. You need to be able to stop the run, and the
linebackers are the key to halting a good running game,” said Rice.
Even if the
Cougars aren’t chosen for a bowl, Nishida will be waiting and watching the
quarterback battle going into next season.
“After his
performance against Arizona and Utah, Connor Halliday may be the favorite for
the job, but I think the Cougars best chance is going with Redshirt Freshman
Tyler Bruggman,” said Nishida.
With an offense
that can score and fans that will cram the stands it will be tough for a bowl
sponsor to overlook this WSU team.
-Matthew Zimmer
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