KEEPING THE SPORT UNDER CONTROL • Did we read that right? Is there a chance that the high temperature in Spokane won’t hit 70 degrees on Saturday? That makes two things clear. We need to figure out where we hid our sweatshirts. But more importantly, football season is upon us.
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• Before we start today, we wanted to assure you that we are not giving up our place on the Scott Servais Watch Team. We are just taking a break. Why? We expect the dam to break today – the Mariners are not playing tonight – and there will be a change in the Mariners’ leadership hierarchy. Most likely we will be right back writing about Servais, the M’s and the disappointment of this season. Since that is inevitably coming, we decided to treat ourselves to a dose of football.
Or, as Edgar Martinez once aptly put it: “How about the Cougs?”
So, what about them? Where do they stand as they enter the most influential season in our history? We’re not sure. What about you?
Last year’s break-even season, the last with the Pac-12 in all its glory, featured more than a few older – or now-deceased – stars. Looking back, the faces of Brennan Jackson, Chau Smith-Wade, Jaden Hicks, Ron Stone Jr., Cam Ward, Cam Lampkin and even Josh Kelly come to mind.
None of them will be in Pullman this season. Wait, that’s not quite true, because Kelly transferred to Texas Tech. The Red Raiders are coming on September 7th.
Otherwise, Jake Dickert will face a rebuilding season in a year that will involve the entire athletic department.
Anyone who tells you they know exactly how the 2024 season will turn out is lying. Or has learned how to access Bill and Ted’s phone booth. Either way, picking winners every week with a newly assembled roster and a newly assembled list of opponents is the kind of exercise that will only enrich Draft Kings or Bet MGM. At least for the first month or so. We caution against it.
The other three local football universities are more secure.
To be fair, the Idaho Vandals, just across the state line in Moscow, are also in the midst of a rebuild. Any time the starting quarterback doesn’t return, there will be changes at some level.
Gevani McCoy was really good for the Vandals last season. Now he’s in Corvallis, but it doesn’t look like he’ll be Oregon State’s starter. Regardless, he left one question unanswered. Will Jack Layne be up to the task of keeping Jason Eck’s offense running?
Layne won’t have an easy start, that’s for sure. The Vandals open with two key road games against third-ranked Oregon, followed by a trip to the high plains of Wyoming. Those two budget games precede a visit to the last FCS school to inflict a loss on UI, Albany. The Great Danes came to Moscow and knocked the Vandals out of the playoffs last December.
There’s more security and an easier start to the schedule, at Cheney, US 195. Whether the former is a good thing after last season’s 4-7 record, we’ll have to wait and see. The latter seems set up for a quick start, with home games against Monmouth and Drake and an away game in southeast Louisiana.
All are FCS schools — the Eagles’ only FBS road trip is in week four, to Nevada. The first and third opponents had losses last season — both as bad or worse than Eastern’s. Drake? Sure, the Bulldogs were undefeated in the Pioneer League, but that league isn’t among the FCS’s best — as evidenced by Drake’s 0-4 non-league record last season.
The Eagles have experience at the most important position in quarterback Kekoa Visperas and a wide receiver in Efton Chism III who deserves attention. And after that? Lots of question marks.
And what about Whitworth? What can we say about the strength of Division III in the region? The Pirates are always good. Sometimes even great. It will be difficult to repeat last season’s 10-1 record – the Pirates’ only loss came at Wartburg in the second round of the NCAA playoffs – but Rod Sandberg’s team will once again be among the Northwest League’s best.
Now, unfortunately, we have to go back to our telescope and see what’s happening in Seattle.
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WSU: One thing about the 2024 season. It will be different than, we don’t know, the 75 or so that came before it. Jon Wilner goes over the basics of today’s SR changes and shares his picks for the West Coast’s biggest trap games. He has the Cougars’ home game against San Jose State on Sept. 21 at No. 2. … Former Washington State defensive corner Frankie Luvu has been just that at all of his NFL stops. He’s currently in Washington, trying to bring his energy to a re-forming Commanders squad. … We think David Gusta will go far. He said as much last season. He’s the subject of today’s story from the Times’ Scott Hanson. … Elsewhere in the Pac-12 (new and old), Wilner is in teaching mode at the Mercury News, too. Here’s what he had to say about the revamped playoff structure, which is more of a true playoff than an invitational. … We also get to take a look at the Cougars from the home of fellow Pac-12 school Corvallis. The Beavers are welcoming back a Northwestern native this season. … We did it. Aaron Fentress’ numbers stories on the Oregonian website are in the top 10. Yes, today we’re passing on No. 10 for Oregon State and Oregon. … Jedd Fisch’s philosophy on freshmen is unknown, so trying to figure out who from this class will play a lot for Washington could be a futile endeavor. … There’s more clarity on everything for Oregon this season, though injuries have made the Ducks’ practices a gamble. … Don’t underestimate North Dakota State, Colorado’s opening opponent. Although it looks like Buffs fans will. … So far, Utah’s attempts to stay healthy have worked. … Yes, Pete Carroll is back at USC. He’s teaching a class. We challenge any student to sleep through it. … UCLA is in regular season mode while the Bruins prepare for Hawaii. … The schedule isn’t easy for Arizona State. … Today we’re sharing some behind-the-scenes footage at Arizona. … In the Mountain West, San Diego State’s starting running back is out for two months. … A new top cornerback has emerged in Wyoming. … His teammates love new Boise State quarterback Maddux Madsen to death. … Hawaii has picked its captains. … Another lawsuit looms for Utah State even though the season is just beginning. … New Mexico has named an interim athletic director. … A freshman from Las Vegas will be the Rebels’ kicker. … Air Force has a lot of good cornerbacks, but one stands out. … Which of these 10 Colorado State players will stand out? … In basketball news: Arizona State will play an exhibition game at Duke. Bobby Hurley, Cameron Indoor. How funny.
Gonzaga: It seems to be schedule day for the Zags. We’ll start with the women, who announced their full non-conference schedule on Wednesday. As Greg Lee tells us, Lisa Fortier’s newly assembled team has two road games to play. … The folks at Battle for Atlantis revealed the slate yesterday. First up in the Bahamas for GU? That would be familiar opponent West Virginia, although most Bulldog fans probably noticed a possible matchup with Arizona in the finals. Playing West Virginia is also pretty important, though. Why? The last two years, GU faced the Mountaineers, and the Zags made it to the NCAA title game. Theo Lawson has more to say.
EMU: We’ve said a few words above about the Eagles and the upcoming start to the season. Dan Thompson has a lot more to say, and his are significant. After all, he covered Eastern’s last scrimmage of preseason camp. Now it’s time to get ready for Monmouth. … Elsewhere in the Big Sky, Montana State has an assistant with plenty of experience. … Portland State will begin its season in Pullman. … A Cal Poly defensive end is nominated for an award. … Sacramento State relies on two quarterbacks to run its offense.
Indians: Spokane’s offense looked its best like the Seattle Mariners last night as the Indians went hitless for seven innings in a 4-1 loss at Hillsboro. Dave Nichols has more to say on that story. … Elsewhere in the Northwest League, Spokane remained alone atop the standings Tuesday as Everett held Vancouver at bay, 7-6. … Eugene edged host Tri-City 7-0.
Seafarers: After 128 games of this recently disappointing season, the M’s are back where they started. At .500. An 8-4 loss to the Dodgers, capping a 1-8 road trip, got them there. And put Servais’ butt on the hot seat. … This morning, Matt Calkins echoed our thoughts on firing Servais when the offensive woes and general failures are more likely the result of mismanagement from above.
Seahawks: Rayshawn Jenkins filled a starting safety spot until he left the field in the middle of yesterday’s practice with an injury of undetermined severity. … Seattle has produced some of the best cornerbacks in modern NFL history. But this group as a whole could be the best the Hawks have ever had. … Geno Smith wants a new contract. That probably won’t happen.
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• Why is it a new car purchase seems like such a chore? It’s almost as hard as buying a new house. And when you think about it, it’s about as expensive too. OK, that last sentence gives away our age because we remember our dad saying the same thing in 1978. Anyway, it would be so nice to be the same with car shopping as we are with grocery shopping. Except hopefully the shelves would be better stocked than our local Safeway. See you later…
