WSU football chat (transcript)
Oct 19 2016, 11:01 AM
Guest876 (guest): Is Lago practicing with the team ?...Harrington healthy ?..Dimitry's last year ?.
Oct 19 2016, 11:01 AM
srchat: Logan Tago is still practicing with the team, as is Keith Harrington. As it currently stands, this is CJ Dimry's last year although I would expect the Cougars to petition the NCAA for an extra year based on medical hardship.
Oct 19 2016, 11:02 AM
Sid (guest): What are the chances of Barber dragging appeal out until the end of the season?
Oct 19 2016, 11:02 AM
JesseCoug (guest): Your thoughts on the outcome of the Barber decision?
Oct 19 2016, 11:03 AM
srchat: It sounds like we will know the final status on Barber in two weeks one way or the other.
Oct 19 2016, 11:03 AM
cubsfan7331: Watching the COLO/ASU game it looked like Wilkins was far less mobile, throwing off his back foot much of the time and while Ballage punished us with his runs last year appeared to avoid contact on runs and was a spectator on pass blocking. What kind of updates,if any, does ASU provide regarding injuries?
Oct 19 2016, 11:05 AM
srchat: Wilkins was playing on a bum leg, which doubtlessly affected his mobility. While ASU isn't providing direct injury updates, they do make practice open so we know that Wilkins did not participate yesterday.
Oct 19 2016, 11:06 AM
CapleOfChristian (guest): Jacob, big fan from Brooklyn here. Wondering what you've been hearing on Powell. From a mental standpoint, 2-of-2 from FGs in the win had to boost his confidence a ton. Rough start. Do you see Leach giving him more shots moving forward? In close situations, Coug fans are going to want to depend on EP
Oct 19 2016, 11:07 AM
srchat: Making two important kicks in the rain against UCLA did wonders for his confidence, and the coaches' confidence in him, I'm sure. He followed it up with a good practice yesterday, hitting a couple deep kicks that got the rest of the kick unit pretty fired up.
Oct 19 2016, 11:07 AM
Guest3990 (guest): This is one of the most bizarre Pac12 seasons in awhile, no?
Oct 19 2016, 11:08 AM
srchat: It's certainly different from what we've seen the last few years. There is not quite as much parity, and a few of the prestige programs have taken massive steps backwards.
Oct 19 2016, 11:08 AM
Sid (guest): What are the specs on Derek Moore? Body size of tackle or more DE?
Oct 19 2016, 11:09 AM
srchat: Definitely more of a rush linebacker/ defensive end. He'd need to put on a lot of size to slide inside if there is any chance the offense might run the ball.
Oct 19 2016, 11:09 AM
Guest876 (guest): Thoughts on Wilner ?..saw his midseason all conference team,
Oct 19 2016, 11:11 AM
srchat: Wilner is one of the best there is, and he, being based near the Pac-12 offices, does a lot of important reporting on the conference and Pac-12 Network that nobody else does. I think he missed by not having Cody O'Connell on his all-conference team, but I'm sure he disagrees with some of my picks or rankings, too.
Oct 19 2016, 11:12 AM
JesseCoug (guest): Considering who we lost on the D line from last year, why is it that we have improved on our rush defense so much?
Oct 19 2016, 11:14 AM
srchat: There have been a number of reasons, including playing an Oregon team with a subpar o-line and a UCLA team with no ground game at all. But that doesn't fully explain why they're leading the conference. I think the linebackers have played really well against the run, and getting Shalom Luani close to the line of scrimmage has done wonders. Also, against teams like Stanford the Cougars have taken control of the game early, forcing the opponent to pass more than it would like to.
Oct 19 2016, 11:14 AM
CougSchroed (guest): The school delaying the suspension would mean Barber really wouldn't be suspended because he graduates in December. I can't imagine the chances of his suspension being delayed are real good, given the circumstances. Your thoughts?
Oct 19 2016, 11:15 AM
srchat: My uninformed opinion is that an appeals board chair is unlikely to grant further relief having already ruled and mitigated his sentence somewhat. But it obviously makes sense to try, if only to get the extra two games in.
Oct 19 2016, 11:15 AM
cubsfan7331: Props to Special Team errr Special Forces for their play last week. Performed well in all aspects. Shout out to Powell. Observing ST practice have you ever seen them run a reverse on a kick-off return?
Oct 19 2016, 11:15 AM
srchat: No.
Oct 19 2016, 11:16 AM
Guest3935 (guest): If the Cougs beat Arizona State do you think they will be ranked?
Oct 19 2016, 11:17 AM
srchat: I think so. No. 23 Ole Miss and No. 25 LSU play each other, as do No. 17 Arkansas and No. 21 Auburn, so some spots should open up. WSU fans should also hope Navy and Western Michigan lose.
Oct 19 2016, 11:17 AM
Thinkroses (guest): Are you surprised to see only 1 Coug on the mid season all Pac 12 team?
Oct 19 2016, 11:18 AM
srchat: Like I said, I think Cody O'Connell should have made the team.
Oct 19 2016, 11:18 AM
GlennDuggan: Wilner has a bias toward the air raid, not malicious about it but has discussed it.
Oct 19 2016, 11:18 AM
cubsfan7331: Can you tell me where to find the list of current AP voters?
Oct 19 2016, 11:20 AM
srchat: Click on the "By Voter" button at the bottom of this page http://collegefootball.ap.org/poll
The AP Top 25 Poll | College Football
Oct 19 2016, 1:20 AM
jonthecoug: I haven't read much about Melo Harris during TNF. Seemed like a big recruit. How does he look?
Oct 19 2016, 11:20 AM
srchat: Have not seen much of Harris.
Oct 19 2016, 11:20 AM
Sid (guest): What exactly did you ask Gabe about....was it a video game? His reaction to your question was priceless.
Oct 19 2016, 11:21 AM
srchat: I basically asked him how lame it was that now, having come back to school after a very productive season, that there is no longer a college football video game for him to be highly rated in.
Oct 19 2016, 11:22 AM
JesseCoug (guest): Are you surprised to see Marcus Strong leap frog Dion Singleton on the depth chart considering how big a recruit Dion was?
Oct 19 2016, 11:22 AM
srchat: A little, because Deion Singleton has some really good tools and made some plays during preseason camp. But Marcus Strong has put together a lot of really good practices and has earned his way up the depth chart.
Oct 19 2016, 11:22 AM
Guest3935 (guest): PFF just ranked the WSU offensive line as the 2nd best in College football.
Oct 19 2016, 11:22 AM
srchat: I saw that.
Oct 19 2016, 11:22 AM
Thinkroses (guest): Biggest obstacles for Cough to win the North in the second half?
Oct 19 2016, 11:23 AM
srchat: The UW defense and the UW offense.
Oct 19 2016, 11:23 AM
Guest3990 (guest): Haven't watched much ASU this year, who should we be watching out for on the offensive/defensive sides of the ball?
Oct 19 2016, 11:25 AM
srchat: Running backs Demario Richard and Kalen Ballage are both really good, physical backs who can do a lot of damage. Wide receivers Tim white and N'Keal Harry are both stud athletes. The defense has not had many standouts this year.
Oct 19 2016, 11:25 AM
Guest876 (guest): Cody on a midseason All American !..seems like he is playing well...how is Hilinski looking ?...I did get a kick out of leaches comment to Matt Caulkins in the Seattle times a while back..
Oct 19 2016, 11:25 AM
srchat: Hilinski has looked pretty solid lately. Still a pretty big dropoff from Falk if he had to play today.
Oct 19 2016, 11:26 AM
cubsfan7331: On the Monday morning pressers do you know what players will be coming in beforehand and any idea on how they are selected?
Oct 19 2016, 11:26 AM
srchat: We usually find out the night before. They're selected by the sports information directors.
Oct 19 2016, 11:26 AM
Guest8728 (guest): Are the sides teams warm up pretty well defined normally? Is this something you pay attention to in non UCLA games?
Oct 19 2016, 11:27 AM
srchat: It's definitely understood between the teams that, when both teams are on the field, they 50-yard line splits the warmup area. There are times when only one team or the other is on the field and then most teams make use of the whole thing.
Oct 19 2016, 11:27 AM
Sid (guest): Why did Leach stir the pot about sign stealing?
Oct 19 2016, 11:27 AM
srchat: Because he was asked about it.
Oct 19 2016, 11:27 AM
JesseCoug (guest): I haven't heard any news on Kameron Powell a rare 4 star recruit that we have at safety, is he under performing?
Oct 19 2016, 11:28 AM
srchat: Powell is playing linebacker for the scout team. He's only a redshirt freshman and is learning a new position, so I wouldn't write him off yet.
Oct 19 2016, 11:28 AM
Guest876 (guest): Barber would be a huge loss...that's a lot of size in the middle.tapa looks a bit slow off the snap but seems to run well lateraly, Kingston a bust or still young ?
Oct 19 2016, 11:29 AM
srchat: Kingston Fernandez is still young, and he's been on the cusp of playing time a few times. I expect he'll have a bigger role in the next couple years.
Oct 19 2016, 11:29 AM
GlennDuggan: Best timeslot for Cougar football games: 7:30, 7:45, 9:00 , or midnight?
Oct 19 2016, 11:30 AM
srchat: 9. 9 a.m. would be best.
Oct 19 2016, 11:30 AM
CougSchroed (guest): Does Wilkins being able to run at 100% have a big affect on what ASU does offensively? Do they use a lot of designed QB runs, which they wouldn't be able to do if his mobility is hampered? Thus really limiting their effectiveness offensively?
Oct 19 2016, 11:31 AM
srchat: Yes, basically. You've got it. Wilkins is a threat to run and his being hobbled tightens up their playbook. It also limits what they can do in terms of rolling him out and moving the pocket on pass plays.
Oct 19 2016, 11:35 AM
Harvey__Road: Shout out to jonothecoug!
Oct 19 2016, 11:37 AM
Guest876 (guest): Is Robert Lewis hurt ?...no catches last week
Oct 19 2016, 11:38 AM
srchat: Not that I'm aware of. He started.
Oct 19 2016, 11:40 AM
Guest7856 (guest): biggest threat from ASU?
Oct 19 2016, 11:41 AM
srchat: Wide receiver Tim White is an explosive athlete, though he shockingly does not have any touchdowns yet.
Oct 19 2016, 11:41 AM
jonthecoug: Harvey_road....a name from the past!
Oct 19 2016, 11:43 AM
CougSchroed (guest): are defenses focusing more on gabe this year? is falk in more in sync with other receivers this year than last year? what are a few of the reasons gabe isn't catching as many balls this year?
Oct 19 2016, 11:43 AM
srchat: I think that, especially earlier in the season, Luke Falk was more reluctant to throw deeper passes to his outside receivers than he has been in the past, and those are the matchups where Marks excels. That's also why Marks' average has dipped by about three yards per reception.
Oct 19 2016, 11:44 AM
Guest876 (guest): Ballage ran over mutts last year...
Oct 19 2016, 11:44 AM
cubsfan7331: Your go to dining spot in Phoenix/Tempe area?
Oct 19 2016, 11:44 AM
srchat: Don't have a go-to spot yet, although I'm open to suggestions. Usually I just head to Mill Ave. and find something there.
Oct 19 2016, 11:45 AM
jonthecoug: Have you had a chance to watch any bball practice? Any initial take?
Oct 19 2016, 11:46 AM
srchat: A little bit. I'm going to write about this very topic this week for media days, so I won't say too much here. But I think the team should be more cohesive this year, if only because there's a more uniform style of athlete/player.
Oct 19 2016, 11:46 AM
Guest876 (guest): Last in pac 12 in sacks.. do you see any improvement on pressure...?..making it tough on dbs.
Oct 19 2016, 11:47 AM
srchat: They've definitely improved. Remember, WSU didn't get any sacks against Boise State or Idaho. Then got a couple against Oregon four against Stanford.
Oct 19 2016, 11:51 AM
Guest876 (guest): yes but zero last week and it hurt...not seeing a lot of pressure from the outside, I suspect Grinch wants to prevent big plays..
Oct 19 2016, 11:52 AM
srchat: Grinch may have felt it was better to keep players back and give a first-time starter at QB more unfriendly jerseys in coverage. Honestly, it's always hard to guess the game plan. But the Cougars have at least demonstrated the ability to get pressure on the passer, something they did not do over the first month of the season.
Oct 19 2016, 11:56 AM
Jeremy Brown: Tavares is playing lights out right now, do you expect more targets to come his way?
Oct 19 2016, 11:57 AM
srchat: He's tied for No. 2 in overall receptions, and River Cracraft is also elevating his play. So while I think he will continue to receive a lot of targets, I don't know if I see him getting any more than he currently is.
Oct 19 2016, 11:57 AM
Guest3935 (guest): Do you expect Wilkins to play? High scoring game?
Oct 19 2016, 11:57 AM
srchat: I think he probably will play. I expect it will be a fairly high scoring game, yes.
Oct 19 2016, 11:58 AM
Guest876 (guest): Browning has seen zero pressure this year..have to bring it or he will pick you apart, Hercules maid Wilners team , correct ?...Wilner does seem a bit Pro Cal and not of fan of leach...just my thoughts....have been very impressed by Wicks in the red zone, Morrows overall play and Williams is getting close to busting one..seems like a long time since a rB has taken a long run to the house..on top of that the RB's seem to never fumble and are picking up blitizes...
Oct 19 2016, 11:59 AM
srchat: Pro Football Focus had some stats showing that Browning has been among the country's best at throwing when under pressure, so teams may be electing to blitz less against the Huskies. Mata'afa was on Wilner's team.
Oct 19 2016, 11:59 AM
Sid (guest): Were the running opportunities not there for UCLA game?
Oct 19 2016, 12:00 PM
srchat: Falk said that UCLA was not giving the Cougars favorable run boxes early in the game but started to present more good run looks as the game progressed.
Oct 19 2016, 12:01 PM
srchat: Alright, that's the hour. Thanks for joining our live chat. I'll get the full transcript up shortly.
