Despite hurdles, Cougs are tough
COLLEGE FOOTBALL RANKINGS: NO. 48 WASHINGTON STATE
Washington State has been trending upward during the past three seasons, with the Cougars winning more games (26) than in the previous eight seasons combined.
A tumultuous offseason saw speculation surrounding Mike Leach’s future as well as massive changes on and off the field. But despite it all, Washington State has enough talent to land at No. 48 in Orlando Sentinel college insider Matt Murschel’s preseason 2018 college football rankings. Murschel ranked all 129 Football Bowl Subdivision teams in the country. The Sentinel staff takes a closer look at a new team daily, counting backward from No. 129 to our projected No. 1 team.
State
4 Washington
Mike Leach (38-38, entering seventh season; 122-81 overall)
9-4, 6-3 in the Pac-12 Conference; third in the North Division
Washington State opened the 2017 campaign with six consecutive victories for the first time since 2001. The hot start was fueled, in part, by a stellar defensive performance, including a shutout in the season opener and a 30-27 victory over No. 5 USC. But the success was short-lived, with the Cougars inexplicably dropping their next game 37-3 to California. The team won three of its next five games to finish with nine wins for the second time in the past three seasons. effort as a team in more than a decade after allowing almost 26 points and 323 yards per game in 2017.
Alex Grinch, who was credited for the turnaround, left the program in the offseason to join Urban Meyer’s staff at Ohio State. The Cougars lost four more assistant coaches. Former Minnesota coach Tracy Claeys takes over the defensive play-calling duties. He’ll benefit from the return of six starters and more than 60 percent of the production from last season, including safety Jalen Thompson. Thompson, who was a second team all-conference selection, led the team in tackles (73) and interceptions (4). Linebacker Jahad Woods (64 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss) returns along with veteran Peyton Pelluer to shore up the middle of the unit.
Luke Falk wrapped up a record-setting career at Washington State, during which he became the Pac-12’s all-time leader in attempts, completions, completion percentage, passing yards and passing touchdowns. Falk’s replacement was expected to be Tyler Hilinski, but his tragic suicide in January rocked the program and left a huge void at the position. Junior college transfers Trey Tinsley and Anthony Gordon stepped up during the spring, but East Carolina transfer Gardner Minshew could also vie for the starting job.
Cody O’Connell and Cole Madison were all-conference selections and their departures leave the offensive line in search of stability up front.
From Hilinski’s death to the rumors about Leach being a potential candidate for the Tennessee job to staff departures, the Cougars have been forced to adapt to change. A Pac-12 North title may be out of reach, but a bowl bid is attainable.