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Texas A&M Football
Around CFB: Mike Leach, Washington State riding high after USC upset
The quote of the year was uttered, not surprisingly, by Mike Leach after Washington State defeated No. 5 USC, 30-27. Asked about the postgame celebration in Pullman, Leach said: “It’s like Woodstock … except everybody has their clothes on.”
That quote brought two thoughts to mind.
Also remember just how bad Washington State was when he took over that program. Washington State had endured eight consecutive losing seasons. In four years under Paul Wulff, Leach’s predecessor, the Cougars were just 9-40. Three of those victories were over FCS opponents.
The highlight in that time might have been the 2008 double-overtime victory over winless Washington — a game that was called the “Crapple Cup” nationally because both teams were so bad.
Enter Leach in 2012. Two years later, the Cougars were in a bowl game. And 5 1/2 years later, Washington State is 34-34 under Leach. A break-even record isn’t that impressive unless one considers how far the Cougars have progressed under his direction.
That would be cause for a big party in Pullman. Clothing optional.
Here are the weekly Heisman ratings based on how I’d vote if the ballot was due this week:
1. Saquon Barkley, Penn State, RB: Not often does a running back rush for just 56 yards on 20 carries and emerge as the Heisman leader. Of course, not often does a player return a kickoff for a touchdown and throw a touchdown pass in the same game.
2. Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma, QB: The Sooners were open last week. Mayfield has thrown for 1,329 yards and 13 touchdowns with no interceptions for unbeaten OU.
3. Lamar Jackson, Louisville, QB: Just another productive outing from last year’s Heisman recipient. He threw three touchdown passes and rushed for another in last week’s win over (yawn) Murray State. He averages 414.6 yards per game to rank second in the nation in total offense.
4. Josh Rosen, UCLA, QB: A great player on a bad team. He passed for 372 yards and a touchdown in a 27-23 victory over Colorado. Rosen has thrown for at least 329 yards in every game. He’s thrown for 2,135 yards and 17 touchdowns and leads the nation in total offense at 431.6 yards per game.
5. Bryce Love, Stanford, RB: The nation’s leading rusher has gained 564 yards in the last two games. That would rank fifth in the nation. Overall, he has 1,088 yards and eight touchdowns.
2. Alabama: The Tide has been dominant in last two games, outscoring opponents 125-3.
3. Oklahoma: OU appears destined for another Big 12 championship and already has a win over Ohio State.
4. Penn State: The Nits have been impressive, though their October schedule is treacherous.
• How bad is LSU? The loss to Troy was a monumental defeat — almost as bad as Arkansas losing to The Citadel in 1992. But look closer. LSU was blown out by Mississippi State, which since that win has been outscored 80-13 by Georgia and Auburn. LSU’s three wins are over BYU (1-4), Syracuse (2-3) and Chattanooga.
• Louisville’s athletic program is so unsavory that it looks to Bobby Petrino for moral guidance.
• UCLA tight end Caleb Wilson will miss the remainder of the season because of a foot injury. He must have overworked it in the first game.
• The Pac-12 North could be best division in college football. Don’t laugh. Five of the six teams have winning records, and Washington and Washington State are both unbeaten.
• Tennessee’s run defense is atrocious. The Volunteers have allowed an average of 252.6 rushing yards per game despite facing Florida (81st in the rushing offense), Mass (112th) and FCS member Indiana State. That projects to allowing 3,031 yards over 12 games. And they haven’t played Alabama yet.
• Maybe it’s no different than every year, but this year’s rash of quarterback injuries seems worse than ever. Maryland is down to its third-string quarterback. Florida lost Luke Del Rio for the season. Oregon lost Justin Herbert to a broken collarbone. His backup, Taylor Alie, suffered a head injury during the Ducks’ win over Cal, and his status is uncertain for this week’s game against Washington State. Of course, Florida State lost Deondre Francois for the season. Bowling Green’s Jarrett Doege is expected to miss the rest of the year. Michigan’s Wilton Speight and Texas A&M’s Nick Starkel are out indefinitely. There are several more whose status is uncertain.
• Looking for a dark horse Heisman candidate to keep an eye on? Look no further than Washington receiver Dante Pettis. He’s posted 368 receiving yards, which isn’t bad. But he’s also returned three punts for touchdowns. He’s scored nine touchdowns, though he’s only touched the ball 33 times.
That quote brought two thoughts to mind.
- Fortunately, Leach isn’t at Cal-Berkeley.
- Leach might be one of the 10 best coaches in college football.
Also remember just how bad Washington State was when he took over that program. Washington State had endured eight consecutive losing seasons. In four years under Paul Wulff, Leach’s predecessor, the Cougars were just 9-40. Three of those victories were over FCS opponents.
The highlight in that time might have been the 2008 double-overtime victory over winless Washington — a game that was called the “Crapple Cup” nationally because both teams were so bad.
Enter Leach in 2012. Two years later, the Cougars were in a bowl game. And 5 1/2 years later, Washington State is 34-34 under Leach. A break-even record isn’t that impressive unless one considers how far the Cougars have progressed under his direction.
Now, they’re 5-0 and ranked 11th in the nation. If they can win at Oregon on Saturday, they could move into the top 10.
Now, they’re 5-0 and ranked 11th in the nation. If they can win at Oregon on Saturday, they could move into the top 10. Two more wins, and they will match their best start in modern college football.That would be cause for a big party in Pullman. Clothing optional.
Heisman leaders
Here are the weekly Heisman ratings based on how I’d vote if the ballot was due this week:
1. Saquon Barkley, Penn State, RB: Not often does a running back rush for just 56 yards on 20 carries and emerge as the Heisman leader. Of course, not often does a player return a kickoff for a touchdown and throw a touchdown pass in the same game.
2. Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma, QB: The Sooners were open last week. Mayfield has thrown for 1,329 yards and 13 touchdowns with no interceptions for unbeaten OU.
3. Lamar Jackson, Louisville, QB: Just another productive outing from last year’s Heisman recipient. He threw three touchdown passes and rushed for another in last week’s win over (yawn) Murray State. He averages 414.6 yards per game to rank second in the nation in total offense.
4. Josh Rosen, UCLA, QB: A great player on a bad team. He passed for 372 yards and a touchdown in a 27-23 victory over Colorado. Rosen has thrown for at least 329 yards in every game. He’s thrown for 2,135 yards and 17 touchdowns and leads the nation in total offense at 431.6 yards per game.
5. Bryce Love, Stanford, RB: The nation’s leading rusher has gained 564 yards in the last two games. That would rank fifth in the nation. Overall, he has 1,088 yards and eight touchdowns.
Predicted College Football Playoff Participants
(After week 5)
There shouldn’t even be a debate. The Tigers have already posted three victories over ranked opponents.
1. Clemson: There shouldn’t even be a debate. The Tigers have already posted three victories over ranked opponents.2. Alabama: The Tide has been dominant in last two games, outscoring opponents 125-3.
3. Oklahoma: OU appears destined for another Big 12 championship and already has a win over Ohio State.
4. Penn State: The Nits have been impressive, though their October schedule is treacherous.
Week Five notes
• How bad is LSU? The loss to Troy was a monumental defeat — almost as bad as Arkansas losing to The Citadel in 1992. But look closer. LSU was blown out by Mississippi State, which since that win has been outscored 80-13 by Georgia and Auburn. LSU’s three wins are over BYU (1-4), Syracuse (2-3) and Chattanooga.
• Louisville’s athletic program is so unsavory that it looks to Bobby Petrino for moral guidance.
• UCLA tight end Caleb Wilson will miss the remainder of the season because of a foot injury. He must have overworked it in the first game.
• The Pac-12 North could be best division in college football. Don’t laugh. Five of the six teams have winning records, and Washington and Washington State are both unbeaten.
• Tennessee’s run defense is atrocious. The Volunteers have allowed an average of 252.6 rushing yards per game despite facing Florida (81st in the rushing offense), Mass (112th) and FCS member Indiana State. That projects to allowing 3,031 yards over 12 games. And they haven’t played Alabama yet.
• Maybe it’s no different than every year, but this year’s rash of quarterback injuries seems worse than ever. Maryland is down to its third-string quarterback. Florida lost Luke Del Rio for the season. Oregon lost Justin Herbert to a broken collarbone. His backup, Taylor Alie, suffered a head injury during the Ducks’ win over Cal, and his status is uncertain for this week’s game against Washington State. Of course, Florida State lost Deondre Francois for the season. Bowling Green’s Jarrett Doege is expected to miss the rest of the year. Michigan’s Wilton Speight and Texas A&M’s Nick Starkel are out indefinitely. There are several more whose status is uncertain.
• Looking for a dark horse Heisman candidate to keep an eye on? Look no further than Washington receiver Dante Pettis. He’s posted 368 receiving yards, which isn’t bad. But he’s also returned three punts for touchdowns. He’s scored nine touchdowns, though he’s only touched the ball 33 times.
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