A Cure For The Bye Week Blues

It's easy to get down on the Washington State football team. The Cougars are just 1-5 this year, losers in 16 of their last 19 games. But there is good news out there...WSU is getting better.

Five of the six teams Wazzu played this season; they play last season as well. If you compare the results from 2008 to the outcomes of 2009, then it's clear that the Cougars are an improved football team.

Let's start with Stanford: In 2008, Washington State lost to the Cardinal 58-0 (probably the ugliest game of the year -- aside from USC). In 2009, Wazzu only lost 39-13. That's a 32 point improvement.

Next on the late is Hawaii: This game doesn't help me prove my point, but I have to include it. In 2008, WSU fell to the Warriors 24-10. This season the Cougars lost 38-20. That's four points worse than the year before (but it could have been much worse).

Let's keep it going with USC: Washington State was embarrassed by the Trojans last season, 69-0. This year was a much different story. The Cougs only lost 27-6 (I've never been so happy with a loss in my life). That's a 48 point improvement.

Next up...Oregon: The game this year was a joke, but sadly it was an improvement compared to 2008. This year the Cougars lost 52-6. In 2008, they were pounded 63-14. That's a three point improvement.

Finally, we'll look at Arizona State: Wazzu wasn't exactly blown out by the Sun Devils in 2008, but they were still blanked 31-0. The Cougars put up a better showing (on the scoreboard at least) in 2009, only falling to ASU 27-14. That's an 18 point improvement.

When you add up the difference you'll see that the Cougars are 98 points better this year than they were last season (and they already have their first win over a DI opponent). That's an average improvement of nearly 20 points per game.

Feel free to be upset with the Cougars, or Paul Wulff, or Jim Sterk, or whoever, but I hope you take time to sit back and realize that the Cougars really are getting better. They are more competitive and more fun to watch (from time to time) than the 2008 club was. It still might be a few years before those scores get even closer or even turn into some wins, but it will happen.

Here's my advice: Be patient and let the Cougars keep doing what they're doing. They are on the right track.

The Cougars have this week off, but they return to action on October 23rd against California. WSU lost to the Golden Bears 66-3 last year. They will not lose by that much this year (I guarantee it)...let the improvement continue!

Go Cougs!