5 QUESTIONS FACING THE COUGARS
1) Can the offense move the ball?
WSU could open the season starting a sophomore quarterback (Jeff Tuel) with five college starts, a senior running back (James Montgomery) with no college starts and an offensive line with junior college transfers (Wade Jacobson and David Gonzales) manning both tackle positions.
2) Can the defense stop anybody?
The Cougars are bigger, stronger, faster and more experienced than a year ago, but they have a ways to go in all those areas. Defensive tackle Brandon Rankin, a pass-rushing phenom as a JC defensive end two years ago, was often dominant in spring drills after redshirting last season due to academic ineligibility.
3) Do the Cougars have enough leaders?
The Cougars have 20 seniors, but nine are transfers, two are walk-ons and at least three will play only on special teams. A slow start will create more calls for the head of Paul Wulff.
4) Can the Cougars stay healthy?
The rebuilding Cougars’ slim chances for success the past two years were doomed by an endless series of injuries to starters and top reserves. Now that the team is making significant progress in the weight room, coaches hope that injuries can be drastically reduced to help cover for a lack of depth.