Washington State Gameday Huddle: Colorado Buffaloes

As you know that the air quality in Pullman is not exactly at a high level.as Cougcenter has laid out, but that shouldn’t stop Cougar fans from getting outside for 3 – 3.5 hours and cheering on your team. Simple fact of the matter is that the Cougs need you this weekend and unless a fire is burning down Pullman itself, Martin Stadium better be totally full of fans like me, cheering on our boys. I’m just kidding of course, if you have Asthma or something, but not for the rest of you. However, Colorado fans, you’re welcome to stay away and use the smoke as an excuse :). And remember, Coug or Buff, if you absolutely cannot make it to the football game, you can catch it on FX as a national broadcast.

We don’t know if Tuel or Halliday will be our leader this week, but due to Halliday leaking info of a sprained MCL in Tuel’s knee, I have to believe Jeff will do everything he can possibly do to start in this one because the qb who plays this week will likely be first in line to start against Oregon next Saturday in Seattle. I can’t imagine the coaches wouldn’t want the “hot hand” so to speak, to start that game. But first, let’s worry about Colorado. There are no promises that we will run away with this game. UNLV broke out against the Cougar defense and Colorado is the same type of team, in fact they are a near prototype of a team with a more experienced qb. The Buffs don’t necessarily have the quality of receiver with Richardson out for the year that the Rebs had in Marcus Sullivan, so I hope our secondary finally steps up to the plate and dominates someone this week.

This is a big week in the Pac-12 with some very evenly matched and interesting games (at least on paper). Here are my predictions for the first week of Pac-12 football:

Oregon State @ #19UCLA: Both teams have been impressive to this point, but OSU only has 1 game under their belt and Jonathan Franklin show will be in full effect at home in Pasadena. OSU on the road, not so much. Bruins by 14.

Utah @ Arizona State: Wow this game is the toughest of the week to pick. Utah did not show well on the road 2 weeks ago, and ASU has been phenomenal at home so far. Sun Devils by 3.

Cal @ USC: Cal is going to keep it close until the 4th, but I could also see the Trojans bouncing back and putting up 50+, being that they’re so freaking mad. Trojans by 21.

Arizona @ Oregon: Arizona has the advantage of actually playing against some real competition at this point. But Oregon at home is too much for the Cats this year, I think. Ducks by 10.

Colorado @ Washington State: Leach continues to say how good Colorado is, regardless of their showing so far. I don’t want to believe that. Cougs by 17.

Go Cougs!