Greetings Cougar nation! I'd like to start this post off by apologizing for my recent absence from my usual Sunday column the past two weeks. I'm currently in the midst of a once-in-a-lifetime backpacking trip through Spain with my brother and uncle. While the scenery and environment in Spain is unbelievable, it has left me with a hectic travel schedule hell bent on keeping me from commenting on the state of our beloved Cougs.

 Today I took a three hour train ride from Madrid to Sevilla. While studying the beautiful Spanish landscape (actually kind of looks like Eastern WA) and listening to a little of the new Kings of Leon album, I couldn't help but get excited imagining what it might be like to watch a WSU football team this fall that is capable of reaching a bowl game. With this notion in mind, I compiled a list of what must go right for the Cougars to sniff contention in the new Pac-12 North Division. Click on the jump to read more.

Hello Followers. Hope you've been having a great week. Well, as today's header indicates, it is birthday weekend here at the WSU Football Blog. Not only do we have the opportunity to celebrate the birthday of the good ole USA: We also get to celebrate the B-Days of two of my favorite people associated with the blog, plus a WHOLE NEW CONFERENCE! 

The first is none other than our own SeanHawk, who turns the ripe old age of 39 today (which I think he's held for two years now, if I'm not mistaken?):

Next, the Pac-12 is officially born today, 7/1/2011.  Happy birthday new conference, we at WSU are happy to have a seat at the table!

And the other Birthday? None other than my good, good friend and colleague, Mr. Bob "Benedict" Condotta. Those of you who have frequented these blog parts over the years know that I am convinced that Benedict Bob is a cunning cross between Harry Potter and the evil young Malvoy from Smitherin (or however you spell it). But whether right or wrong on that characterization, here's one thing we can all agree on: Bobby C. is one helluva college sports writer. So, as an ode to Bob, I've ripped off one of his latest posts. And in so doing, have discovered why our fortunes this year may not be as bright as once thought. Read on.....

Happy Friday Cougar Nation!

Last night some video made the rounds of WSU football players that could possibly be mistaken for hazing.

Click the jump to see the video and decide for yourself. no comments

Happy Thursday Cougs!!!

As we close out the month of June, we are less than a month and a half away from fall camp! Traditionally, the start of fall camp is when incoming freshman make their way to campus, but not under the Paul Wulff regime.  In the last couple of years, an unprecedented number of freshman have enrolled in summer session.  This is huge for a rebuilding program that needs freshman to come in and make an immediate impact.  It allows them to get acclimated to their surroundings, get a head start on classes, build a stronger bond with their teammates, and get started in a Pac-12 quality weight room.

This year was no exception.  In addition to the seven players (LB Darryl Monroe, WR Henry Eaddy, WR Isaiah Meyers, OL Rico Forbes, DE Ian Knight, DE Xavier Cooper, OL Taylor Meighan) who enrolled early and participated in spring ball, an eye-popping 14 freshman have enrolled in summer session, per Cougfan. They are:

Some of you may have already seen this making the rounds, but a rough 2011 Pac-12 helmet schedule has found it's way to these here interwebs.  It's not the sharpest picture in the world, but it'll do for now (note - we have been putting one together with the newer helmets, like WSU and ASU, but it is not ready for public consumption at this time.  For now, this is what we found). 

NOTE - UPDATED 9:00 PM 6/28 - Thanks to faithful reader SelahCoug, we now have a new-and-improved helmet schedule for the Pac-12!  Check it out after the jump: