2012-13 Football Previews – (Pac 12) – Washington State Cougars
Mike Leach was bound to find another job sooner or later because of his past success, and it turns out the Washington State Cougars were the team to give him a chance. Leach left Texas Tech under tons of controversy, but he definitely took the Red Raiders program to far more success than they had ever seen before.
PAC 12 Conference 2012-2013 College Football Previews: Washington State Cougars
Head Coach: Mike Leach
2011 Record: 4-8
Washington State Gambling Odds from 5Dimes to win BCS Championship: +75,000
Washington State Gambling Odds from 5Dimes to win PAC 12 Conference: +6,500
WSU Team Page – Players Stats – Roster – 2012 Schedule –>
Washington State was 9-40 in the last four years. Paul Wulff started to engineer a turnaround the last couple years, but he was fired after 2011. Now it is Leach’s turn to see what he can do in the PAC 12.
It isn’t that Washington State has never had any success on the football field, but it has been a very long time. Since Mike Price left in 2002, the program has gone through very hard times. The Cougars have a few pieces in place, but there are obviously tons of problem areas.
Team Strengths:
Leach has to love the fact that he has a good senior quarterback ready to go in Jeff Tuel. Tuel missed most of last year with an injury, but he showed how good he could be back in 2010. Leach’s system makes a ton of quarterbacks look really good, and Tuel has plenty of potential. This should be a nice fit.
The second area where Leach has to be thrilled with his depth is at wide receiver. The Cougars appear ready to go at the wide receiver spot. Marquess Wilson is one of the best wideouts in the nation. Wilson caught 82 passes and had 12 touchdowns last year. His numbers should be huge this year. Bobby Ratliff, Kristoff Williams, and Dominique Williams should all flourish in this system as well. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Team Weaknesses:
Washington State runs a 3-4 defense, but they have had trouble finding guys to plug in at the linebacker spot. Travis Long is the lone returning starter from this group. He is a solid player, but there is tons of uncertainty surrounding him. Can the youngsters hang with PAC 12 talent?
The secondary was terrible in 2011. Washington State only intercepted 8 passes, and they allowed 24 touchdown passes. All four starters return from this unit, but when they constantly get torched you have to wonder if that really is a good thing or not.
The Washington State offensive line could be an issue. While this team has the play makers to throw it around, this line will have to give Tuel time in the pocket. Depth problems could hurt at this position.
2012-2013 Washington State Cougars Football Prediction: 5-7
This program is almost assured of a turn upward with Leach under the helm, but it might take a year or two. The offense should be far more explosive right away, but the defense isn’t good at all. Tuel needs to stay healthy for the Cougars to have a chance to become bowl eligible this year. Look for Washington State to be more competitive, but it will take a little more time for them to move up the standings.
2012 Southern Cal Schedule
8/30/12 10:15 PM ET @BYU
9/8/12 TBD EWAS
9/14/12 9:00 PM ET @UNLV
9/22/12 TBD COL
9/29/12 TBD ORE
10/6/12 TBD @OREST
10/13/12 TBD CAL
10/27/12 TBD @STAN
11/3/12 TBD @UTAH
11/10/12 TBD UCLA
11/17/12 TBD @ARZST
11/23/12 TBD WASH
