Nov 4 2015, 11:01 AM

Gowazzu02 (guest): What was the worse blown call. Oregon PI last year or non-fumble this year? I think we can all agree the Pac12 doesn't want WSU to beat their Playoff darling.

Nov 4 2015, 11:03 AM

srchat: The Oregon non-PI was a worse call on the field. While both calls were incorrect, the non-fumble was at least kind of messy and confusing. The Oregon defender clearly made contact with Isiah Myers well before the ball reached the receiver. HOWEVER, the fumble was reviewed and they still (somehow) got the call wrong. Because of that, it is the greater officiating error.

Nov 4 2015, 11:03 AM

Guest3587 (guest): What should Coug fans be most concerned with about Arizona State?

Nov 4 2015, 11:05 AM

srchat: The Sun Devils blitz twice as much as the average team, so I'd be a little concerned about Luke Falk's health. They're going to hit him whether he gets the ball out or not. While Falk seemed fine against Stanford, he did hobble around after a hit at Arizona and took a sack on the next play. That wasn't the first time that's happened this season, either, and remember he was knocked out of the game on the final drive against Portland State. The OL and RBS are going to need to keep him clean.

Nov 4 2015, 11:05 AM

ItsTyler (guest): Will the Pac-12 issue a statement on if the non-fumble was the correct call?

Nov 4 2015, 11:06 AM

srchat: They're not going to issue a formal statement. But, the Pac-12 has been periodically releasing videos to the media explaining calls. I would not be shocked to see it appear on the next video with the acknowledgement that the ruling was in error.

Nov 4 2015, 11:06 AM

rg84 (guest): Judging by practice this week does the tone seem like the team is ready to move on to AZ St or is Stanford loss hanging around?

Nov 4 2015, 11:06 AM

srchat: Since the second the Stanford game ended the team has seemed pretty fired up to get to the next game.

Nov 4 2015, 11:07 AM

Guest4906 (guest): What is the rule on stealing signals? I thought that was all fair game.

Nov 4 2015, 11:07 AM

srchat: The only rule is that a team can't use audio or visual recording devices to learn its opponent's signals.

Nov 4 2015, 11:08 AM

ItsMe (guest): What reporter got the "What are you an idiot?" treatment from Leach? I wish our coach didn't have to be such a jerk sometimes.

Nov 4 2015, 11:10 AM

srchat: Truthfully, I have no idea who asked it. The questioner was behind me and I didn't recognize the voice. That said, when those things happen I'm probably never going to announce the questioner's identity.

Nov 4 2015, 11:10 AM

Guest9384 (guest): Im suprised that there are not much more chatter abt mike leach for all the new head coaching jobs open out there.have you heard any that we should be worried abt leach being candidate or could consider to leave?

Nov 4 2015, 11:11 AM

srchat: Not really. There are a lot of vacant jobs this year, but I think the reason there are so many openings is because there are so many surefire candidates. The coaches at Memphis, Temple, Toledo and others are expected to be highly sought after this offseason. I think Leach would need another good season before really choice jobs would be available, and even then I've seen nothing to indicate he wants to leave.

Nov 4 2015, 11:12 AM

Guest4022 (guest): How long before Grinch is enticed to bigger program?

Nov 4 2015, 11:13 AM

srchat: Now that's something I think could be a real offseason worry for WSU fans. Grinch is still very young -- 37 I believe -- and the turnaround he's initiated in his first season as a DC has been pretty remarkable. While I think he'd like to build a really good D at WSU, if the SEC comes calling with a lot of money I could see it being tough to say no.

Nov 4 2015, 11:13 AM

Guest51 (guest): are there any plans for the SW corner of the stadium (the random hill)? finding someway to fill it in would give the stadium a much more finished feeling!

Nov 4 2015, 11:14 AM

srchat: I don't think there's anything in the immediate future planned for that space. Taking out the hill would be an enormous project, and really all they could do would be to put a nicer entrance there. It's already an entrance and the FOB has spruced up the area a bit, so I don' think much is in the works.

Nov 4 2015, 11:15 AM

Guest4906 (guest): The signals the cougs send in refer to play sheet on wrist? Isn't thatkind of easy to record since leach sends the play in and someone could just note the signal and play in game?

Nov 4 2015, 11:15 AM

srchat: That's the worry and I wouldn't be all that shocked if the Cougars take some additional steps to prevent that happening.

Nov 4 2015, 11:15 AM

Caple (guest): With the many bodies leaving the O-Line next season, who has stood out as potentially taking over on the left side next season?

Nov 4 2015, 11:16 AM

srchat: Andre Dillard has long been the next left tackle, although in a couple years Cedric Bigge-Duren is going to be hard to keep off the field assuming normal development. I think next year could be the year we finally see Cody O'Connell, at left guard.

Nov 4 2015, 11:16 AM

Guest509 (guest): Perhaps influenced by some success this year, I'm growing fond of Leach's assistant coaching staff... Fairly young, decent recruiters, seem to connect with the players, etc. Without naming individual coaches, whats your opinion from what you see in practice and observations in general. Thanks Jacob

Nov 4 2015, 11:18 AM

srchat: It's definitely an energetic group, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. I think Grinch came in with a lot of energy and the other defensive coaches responded to it. I've heard that their energy rubbed off on the players even in the weight room, and one of things we keep hearing is that this was the best offseason for the team in terms of workouts. On offense they have a very broad base of knowledge, considering Mastro's history with RBs, Yost and Harrell's pasts, etc.

Nov 4 2015, 11:20 AM

Guest4906 (guest): I don't recollect but were most of the field goals made from the right hash? Was the run play before suppose to go to the middle of the field on the play before the final field goal.

Nov 4 2015, 11:21 AM

srchat: I don't honestly recall either where the previous FGs were made from, although I believe he made at least one from each hash. The Cougars were not trying to set up positioning with that run, though, other than to get closer.

Nov 4 2015, 11:21 AM

ItsMe (guest): kudos for having the cajones to follow up on that question during Monday's presser, btw.

Nov 4 2015, 11:21 AM

shurtyj (guest): Do you think Todd Graham is very well liked by his Pac-12 peers? I've always got the sense other coaches didn't care for the way he left Pitt.

Nov 4 2015, 11:22 AM

srchat: Eh, I've never gotten the sense the other coaches really care one way or the other. They all have their buddies, but otherwise I don't think they care all that much. That said, it does seem like a few of them resent the signal stealing.

Nov 4 2015, 11:23 AM

rg84 (guest): Have you heard or think there is any plans on brining an anthracite helmet in the mix?

Nov 4 2015, 11:23 AM

srchat: I have not heard anything about anthracite helmets. As long as the jerseys stay crimson or white, they're fine by me.

Nov 4 2015, 11:24 AM

srchat: So who do you all think is gonna win the ballgame?

Nov 4 2015, 11:26 AM

Michael Heald: Cougs 38 Sun Devils 31

Nov 4 2015, 11:26 AM

Guest4906 (guest): Don't like Brock Huard announcing Couagar games. Can take criticism, but not from a Husky.

Nov 4 2015, 11:26 AM

srchat: I think Huard has been more analyst than Husky for a long time.

Nov 4 2015, 11:28 AM

Guest4906 (guest): Didn't the guy pancake his hand under the ball on the interception that ended up being reversed? I didn't think the replay was clear enough to overrule. Better film in the booth?

Nov 4 2015, 11:29 AM

srchat: The booth does have better film than what we see on ESPN. That said, in my opinion the low angle ESPN showed had the ball definitively hitting the turf. You could see the ground's impact on the ball and the turf (and water) reacted to the ball's impact.

Nov 4 2015, 11:29 AM

rg84 (guest): Brock is good in book

Nov 4 2015, 11:29 AM

Guest51 (guest): cougs 42-24 if they can keep falk healthy

Nov 4 2015, 11:30 AM

Michael Heald: Do you see the D focusing on Bercovici's running more this week?

Nov 4 2015, 11:31 AM

srchat: Not really. Bercovici's got a couple long runs this year but I bet the Cougars will take a couple 20 yarders from him if it means they shut down the running backs like they have the last couple weeks.

Nov 4 2015, 11:31 AM

rg84 (guest): Whoops *good in my book

Nov 4 2015, 11:32 AM

Guest4906 (guest): On tv the weather did not look so bad when they were showing plays on the field. Is there something different with the cameras now a days as the field looked clear?

Nov 4 2015, 11:32 AM

srchat: The weather was pretty off and on. It was clear at times but it was a tempest at others. I don't know how cameras work.

Nov 4 2015, 11:33 AM

Guest6656 (guest): With the team improving every week and having a winning attitude next year could be the "break out" year. What position are we losing next that worries you?

Nov 4 2015, 11:33 AM

srchat: The left side of the offensive line is a strength right now that will have to be replaced. Outside receiver could also be a concern if Gabe Marks leaves early and Dom Williams graduating. Other than that, the Cougars don't really lose much.

Nov 4 2015, 11:34 AM

ItsTyler (guest): Where do you expect the Cougs to be ranked in the pre-season Pac-12 rankings next year based off this year so far?

Nov 4 2015, 11:35 AM

srchat: If they finish the year strong, say two more wins to get to seven, I think they've got a really good shot at top 4-6. Cal should take a step back in people's perceptions, meaning they could potentially be No. 2 in the north depending on if Oregon can find a QB.

Nov 4 2015, 11:36 AM

Guest3587 (guest): Hercules seems like a different breed of player. What type of ceiling does he have?

Nov 4 2015, 11:37 AM

srchat: A really high ceiling as a college football player and I think he's definitely an NFL guy. Whether he's somebody who gets drafted in the first couple rounds likely depends on whether he can put on another 20 pounds or so and not lose his quickness.

Nov 4 2015, 11:37 AM

Guest4906 (guest): The last game it seemed that the receivers were pretty well covered, especially the first half. Coug tendencies in passing game getting predictable?

Nov 4 2015, 11:38 AM

srchat: Probably more to do with going up against one of the Pac-12's best pass defenses.

Nov 4 2015, 11:38 AM

Guest2610 (guest): Do you think we should be worried about ASU or do we have a pretty good shot?

Nov 4 2015, 11:38 AM

srchat: Yes.

Nov 4 2015, 11:39 AM

srchat: I think the Cougars have a better than 50 percent chance of winning on Saturday, but ASU is a Pac-12 team with very talented players and can certainly beat the Cougars on a given Saturday.

Nov 4 2015, 11:39 AM

Guest509 (guest): I've never understood this: When Leach came in, much was written about the big gaps between O-Linemen, and I see it in their play... But whats there to prevent D-Linemen (or opponent LBackers) from using those gaps to rush the QB? Plz enlighten me on that

Nov 4 2015, 11:40 AM

srchat: Well that's the skill the o linemen have to develop. In Leach's first year the Cougars gave up a lot of sacks. The linemen have to learn how to slide and prevent defenders from taking advantage of those gaps. That's also why Leach likes to recruit such big offensive linemen.

Nov 4 2015, 11:41 AM

Guest6978 (guest): Looking forward to your piece on how the O-line will handle ASU's blitz. Any early thoughts on if this is a good matchup WSU can handle. I think (hope?!)our D will do a great job holding ASU down. But the blitzing worries me, as Falk can move as quick as VA, and he was running for his life many times last Thursday. Thanks.

Nov 4 2015, 11:42 AM

srchat: I think Falk is good enough at the quick passes to take advantage of the blitz by making quick reads to his inside receivers. The problem is that when Falk has gotten sacked a couple times there's been a tendency to compound those by taking more sacks. I think the challenge is for Falk and the offensive line to have a great first quarter to establish a passing rhythm on those quick passes and take the blitz out of the game.

Nov 4 2015, 11:43 AM

Guest9738 (guest): What should I wear for the game on Saturday? Long johns underneath or is that pushing it? Just a windbreaker good enough??

Nov 4 2015, 11:43 AM

srchat: Personally, I would wear long johns if I was going to be outside on cold bleachers that long. Also bring a pad to sit on. It's getting pretty frosty in Pullman, although the 12:30 kick will help.

Nov 4 2015, 11:43 AM

Guest6978 (guest): #Falk can't move as quick...

Nov 4 2015, 11:43 AM

Guest4906 (guest): weather Saturday at game time?

Nov 4 2015, 11:44 AM

srchat: Looks like high 40s and mostly cloudy.

Nov 4 2015, 11:44 AM

Guest509 (guest): Have you ever been to CD's in Moscow? I hear its great BBQ, and if I can ever get over my Casa Lopez addiction, I want to try CD's?

Nov 4 2015, 11:45 AM

srchat: Yes, you definitely want to try CDs. Definitely the best BBQ in the area.

Nov 4 2015, 11:45 AM

Guest4906 (guest): football weather.. Go Cougs. Falk is the man!!!

Nov 4 2015, 11:45 AM

shurtyj (guest): Do you expect the Cougs to run more screens to counter the blitzes? Maybe even some of those little play fakes?

Nov 4 2015, 11:45 AM

srchat: I think that's likely, yes.

Nov 4 2015, 11:45 AM

srchat: ^^ Not from anything I've seen in practice, mind you. But the logic makes sense.

Nov 4 2015, 11:45 AM

Guest7813 (guest): How was the teams attitude after the game? Moping or mad?

Nov 4 2015, 11:45 AM

Guest9745 (guest): Apologies if this has already been asked. Have you been able to get a sense of the team's collective mentality after the Stanford loss? That is, do you see the possibility of Stanford "beating us twice" or do you feel they've moved on well.

Nov 4 2015, 11:46 AM

srchat: I'll put it this way: If Stanford beats the Cougar twice, it's because the team was so jacked up to play the next game it became tight. The vibe I've gotten from the team has very much been a desire to go beat somebody and take the taste of the loss out of their mouths.

Nov 4 2015, 11:46 AM

Michael Heald: What should the Cougs be most nervous of going into this Saturday's game?

Nov 4 2015, 11:47 AM

srchat: ASU blitzes a lot, more than almost anybody. So that's always going to be a challenge and will be interesting to see how the Cougars handle it.

Nov 4 2015, 11:47 AM

Guest4906 (guest): Bubble screens still do not seem as successful as the past. All season problem?

Nov 4 2015, 11:47 AM

srchat: I think they've gotten better. There were some very effective screens run against Arizona. Stanford is a tougher team to run those kind of plays against because their defenders are strong and disciplined. I wouldn't judge a play's effectiveness by whether or not it worked against Stanford.

Nov 4 2015, 11:48 AM

Guest7813 (guest): Other than Marks who do you think is the next most competitive person on the team?

Nov 4 2015, 11:48 AM

srchat: Alex Grinch. Then probably Ivan McLennan.

Nov 4 2015, 11:49 AM

b17anderson: Super late expanded answer for 509: The wider splits also spread a DL out, and with the gaps further apart, LB stunts are more easily defined. For instance, they can't line up over center and stunt B very easily. Biggest advantage comes with the increased yardage a defender has to traverse to get to the QB. Wider splits mean further to go for a DE on a pass rush. Every defense has tried stunting those gaps, WSU is very good at picking those up, passing off crossing DTs/DEs and the RBs are better in pass pro

Nov 4 2015, 11:50 AM

srchat: Thanks to Brian Anderson who is somehow not, technically, a coach.

Nov 4 2015, 11:50 AM

shurtyj (guest): Are you cool with the CFB playoff top four that was just announced? Any changes you would make?

Nov 4 2015, 11:51 AM

srchat: I was fine with the top four, knowing that it will change because Alabama and LSU play each other. I think TCU should be higher than No. 8, though.

Nov 4 2015, 11:52 AM

b17anderson: Do you subscribe to Bruce Feldman's patented "Body Blow Theory"? Any concern the physicality of the Stanford game wore them down?

Nov 4 2015, 11:53 AM

srchat: I used to. I'm less sure about the Body Blow Theory after reading an excellent piece by Bill Barnwell about a similar effect teams appeared to be facing last year after facing the Seattle Seahawks. Barnwell's conclusion was that there is not actually a very discernible impact on teams the week after playing a physical opponent.

Nov 4 2015, 11:54 AM

srchat: Now, that could be very different at the NFL level than the college level, because the difference in physicality between elite and terrible college teams is greater than the difference between any NFL teams. That said, ASU had to play three overtimes last weekend, so I'm sure they're also tired.

Nov 4 2015, 11:55 AM

Michael Heald: Early prediction for Offense and Defensive player of the game this week?

Nov 4 2015, 11:56 AM

srchat: Offense: I'll say River Cracraft has a big day over the middle sitting in spots vacated by blitzers.

Nov 4 2015, 11:57 AM

srchat: Defense: I see a big day for Shalom Luani taking out ASU's would-be receivers.

Nov 4 2015, 11:57 AM

Guest4906 (guest): I think Cougs put a bigger hurt on Stanford than the Body Blow they delivered.

Nov 4 2015, 11:57 AM

Guest5988 (guest): Do you think cougs will be ranked if they beat ASU and UCLA?

Nov 4 2015, 11:57 AM

srchat: I could see them being as high as No. 22 or so in that scenario. But I bet they would be just outside the rankings but receiving plenty of votes.

Nov 4 2015, 11:58 AM

Guest509 (guest): b17anderson: Thanks for that explanation... some of which I suspected, but have never heard it confirmed. Jacob: your articles you've written to replace 'practice' reports have been really good, and give us readers a good view of some of the components that contribute to the Cougs football program that we don't otherwise hear about. You made a go0d chicken salad outta chicken ___t

Nov 4 2015, 11:58 AM

srchat: Thanks, 509, I'm glad you've found the recent stories in lieu of practice reports to be useful.

Nov 4 2015, 12:00 PM

Guest6727 (guest): Do you think the colder weather in Pullman affects California/Arizona teams and game outcome when they travel up here?

Nov 4 2015, 12:01 PM

srchat: I think it does but we're not quite there yet in terms of cold temperatures. If the ASU game was going to be played at night it would likely effect the Sun Devils, but I don't think 50 degrees is going to make that much of an impact. Unfortunately, the only really cold game is likely to be against Colorado ...

Nov 4 2015, 12:01 PM

Guest4906 (guest): Do the cougs try to figure out opponents signs in game the legal way?

Nov 4 2015, 12:01 PM

srchat: I would imagine that the players make mental notes of the signals they hear and try to guess what they mean. I haven't heard of anything beyond that.

Nov 4 2015, 12:02 PM

srchat: Their kick returner leads the conference in KR average, so I wouldn't be surprised if they keep the ball away from him. That said, Leach said in his press conference that they should have just kicked to McCaffery.

Nov 4 2015, 12:02 PM

Guest7813 (guest): Does ASU have anyone on special teams that might cause the Cougs to short kick or punt out of bounds?

Nov 4 2015, 12:02 PM

srchat: Oops, type the answer before the question on that last one.

Nov 4 2015, 12:02 PM

Guest9738 (guest): You think Lucas always intended Vader to be Luke's father or that was invented for Empire Strikes Back?

Nov 4 2015, 12:03 PM

srchat: Well, I would say that he clearly did want Padme Amidala's grandchildren to bring balance back to the force and to be heroes. But, those movies were made decades after the first so .... time is a flat circle.

Nov 4 2015, 12:04 PM

srchat: And that's where we'll end. Thanks everyone for joining our live chat. The transcript will be posted shortly.