11 hours ago
Football
Kansas State (1-0) takes on Washington State (0-1) in the first ever meeting between the schools. Kickoff is scheduled for 11 AM on Fort Riley Day at Bill Snyder Family Stadium and the game will be broadcast on TNT. As usual, all these details and much more can be found in Jon Morse's How To Watch post.
In the opener for both teams, Wazzu lost to Washington 24-10 in a much-too-early edition of the Apple Cup. Wazzu struggled on offense, though the score might have been closer if not for a couple of missed field goals and a couple of interceptions by transfer QB Cade Pinnick. Washington State's defense definitely had its moments, however. If you're like me, you probably missed the game in its entirety. Luckily, we have Drew Schneider on hand to break it all down.
The general gist seems to be that Wazzu may not be the best team on the Wildcats' schedule this year, but Kansas State overlooks the Cougars at its own peril. As Collin Klein himself noted, Pinnick can do some damage with his legs and K-State's defense seemed ever-so-slightly suspect against the run in the blowout win over Nicholls. There's also Wazzu's defense to consider, which managed to get a key 4th down stop on the goal line against Washington, thanks to stalwarts like Keith Brown, a linebacker who missed all of last season with injury and is now the teammate's de facto standard bearer.
I don't pay a lot of attention to fan Q&As, but there are some interesting tidbits in Kellis Robinett's weekly mailbag, including that Klein's recruiting philosophy is that every player is merely leasing a roster spot until someone beats them out of it. Competition is constant is apparently CK's mantra. See? There is only football.
#wazzu #missed #defense #ever
Kansas State (1-0) takes on Washington State (0-1) in the first ever meeting between the schools. Kickoff is scheduled for 11 AM on Fort Riley Day at Bill Snyder Family Stadium and the game will be broadcast on TNT. As usual, all these details and much more can be found in Jon Morse's How To Watch post.
In the opener for both teams, Wazzu lost to Washington 24-10 in a much-too-early edition of the Apple Cup. Wazzu struggled on offense, though the score might have been closer if not for a couple of missed field goals and a couple of interceptions by transfer QB Cade Pinnick. Washington State's defense definitely had its moments, however. If you're like me, you probably missed the game in its entirety. Luckily, we have Drew Schneider on hand to break it all down.
The general gist seems to be that Wazzu may not be the best team on the Wildcats' schedule this year, but Kansas State overlooks the Cougars at its own peril. As Collin Klein himself noted, Pinnick can do some damage with his legs and K-State's defense seemed ever-so-slightly suspect against the run in the blowout win over Nicholls. There's also Wazzu's defense to consider, which managed to get a key 4th down stop on the goal line against Washington, thanks to stalwarts like Keith Brown, a linebacker who missed all of last season with injury and is now the teammate's de facto standard bearer.
I don't pay a lot of attention to fan Q&As, but there are some interesting tidbits in Kellis Robinett's weekly mailbag, including that Klein's recruiting philosophy is that every player is merely leasing a roster spot until someone beats them out of it. Competition is constant is apparently CK's mantra. See? There is only football.
#wazzu #missed #defense #ever
18 hours ago
Washington hosts Utah State tomorrow but before we transition to Saturday's gameday coverage. Here is the Week 1 mailbag!
Chicken Little: Is it time to panic?
I wouldn't say the sky is falling, but there is certainly plenty of reason to be concerned. The Huskies' struggles on offense are excusable, but they make you seriously consider a complete shift in expectations now that their two best running backs will miss time. Washington is in desperate need of a hot start to stay as healthy as possible for the toughest games on the schedule, which come in the second half of the season. I get that rivalry games can be funky, but there is zero reason why the Apple Cup should've been as close as it was. Wazzu's offense was horrid, and Washington's was equally so until the fourth quarter. For a team wanting to compete with the Big Ten elite… that's bad. I'm not panicking just yet, but I am considering lowering my win total because I'm not sure if UW will be healthy enough to be the best version of itself.
iadawg: Ellinneus Davis was supposed to be the best defensive lineman but he only had the third most snaps of defensive linemen. Can you explain this? Thanks.
Definitely strange, but I wouldn't spend too much time thinking about it unless it happens against Utah State and Eastern Washington. There's a good chance he had a minor injury bugging him, or head coach Jedd Fisch and defensive coordinator Ryan Walters saw opportunities with other lineman and took advantage. In the end, it worked out for the Huskies. His lower-than-expected usage rate is not a trend that I think will continue through the remainder of September.
#washington #time #defensive #offense
Chicken Little: Is it time to panic?
I wouldn't say the sky is falling, but there is certainly plenty of reason to be concerned. The Huskies' struggles on offense are excusable, but they make you seriously consider a complete shift in expectations now that their two best running backs will miss time. Washington is in desperate need of a hot start to stay as healthy as possible for the toughest games on the schedule, which come in the second half of the season. I get that rivalry games can be funky, but there is zero reason why the Apple Cup should've been as close as it was. Wazzu's offense was horrid, and Washington's was equally so until the fourth quarter. For a team wanting to compete with the Big Ten elite… that's bad. I'm not panicking just yet, but I am considering lowering my win total because I'm not sure if UW will be healthy enough to be the best version of itself.
iadawg: Ellinneus Davis was supposed to be the best defensive lineman but he only had the third most snaps of defensive linemen. Can you explain this? Thanks.
Definitely strange, but I wouldn't spend too much time thinking about it unless it happens against Utah State and Eastern Washington. There's a good chance he had a minor injury bugging him, or head coach Jedd Fisch and defensive coordinator Ryan Walters saw opportunities with other lineman and took advantage. In the end, it worked out for the Huskies. His lower-than-expected usage rate is not a trend that I think will continue through the remainder of September.
#washington #time #defensive #offense
6 days ago
If Washington is going to succeed, Demond Williams needs to have a high usage rate as both a passer and runner. He is at his best when he's on the move, and the Huskies are as well. That's my primary takeaway from Washington's frustrating, but earned, season-opening Apple Cup victory.
On the one hand, Washington's performance for most of the afternoon was frustrating because it looked as lethargic as it had at times in the previous two seasons. On the other hand, if you watched other Week 1 games, there were a handful of victorious teams that looked stuck in the mud. None of which battled their in-state rival.
There's a reason Nick Saban referred to headlines as rat poison. Washington was highly regarded throughout the offseason. It kicked off the season with a shiny No. 17 next to its name and is led by a quarterback who many believe could be a Heisman Trophy finalist. Overall, the consensus is that Washington is the popular pick to be 2027's sleeper team. Those elements added to the discomfort of UW's slow start.
Though it eventually gave up a touchdown in the fourth quarter, Washington's defense was sensational. It shot itself in the foot by picking up unnecessary penalties, but overall it was dominant. Defensive backs Jeron Jones and Alex McLaughlin both logged interceptions while Isaiah Ward forced a fumble, then recovered it. Washington would've had four takeaways, but Rylon Dillard-Allen picked up a questionable targeting penalty after thumping Wazzu quarterback Caden Pinnick.
Speaking of penalties, UW must be better in that area, without question. Washington racked up 130 penalty yards to Wazzu's 50. Washington had 12 fewer penalty yards than Pinnick had passing.
#washington #frustrating #season #quarterback
On the one hand, Washington's performance for most of the afternoon was frustrating because it looked as lethargic as it had at times in the previous two seasons. On the other hand, if you watched other Week 1 games, there were a handful of victorious teams that looked stuck in the mud. None of which battled their in-state rival.
There's a reason Nick Saban referred to headlines as rat poison. Washington was highly regarded throughout the offseason. It kicked off the season with a shiny No. 17 next to its name and is led by a quarterback who many believe could be a Heisman Trophy finalist. Overall, the consensus is that Washington is the popular pick to be 2027's sleeper team. Those elements added to the discomfort of UW's slow start.
Though it eventually gave up a touchdown in the fourth quarter, Washington's defense was sensational. It shot itself in the foot by picking up unnecessary penalties, but overall it was dominant. Defensive backs Jeron Jones and Alex McLaughlin both logged interceptions while Isaiah Ward forced a fumble, then recovered it. Washington would've had four takeaways, but Rylon Dillard-Allen picked up a questionable targeting penalty after thumping Wazzu quarterback Caden Pinnick.
Speaking of penalties, UW must be better in that area, without question. Washington racked up 130 penalty yards to Wazzu's 50. Washington had 12 fewer penalty yards than Pinnick had passing.
#washington #frustrating #season #quarterback
9 days ago
It's important to remember that the strength of non-conference schedules can differ wildly from team-to-team. However, don't be fooled by thinking that an SEC team playing a lowly FCS program translates to piles of fantasy points for your respective players. Oftentimes the marquee players are on ice by the time the second half rolls around in these lopsided matchups.
Play Yahoo's new College Fantasy Football game: Create or join a league now!
Accordingly, I prefer to target players on respectable P4 offenses that have something to prove and are facing reasonably competent G6 opponents who can hang around long enough for the starters to stay in the game for three quarters. With that in mind, here are my starts and sits for college fantasy football Week 1.
In last year's Apple Cup, Williams eviscerated the Cougs, completing 16-of-19 passes for 298 yards with four passing touchdowns, while rushing for 88 yards and another rushing score. This prodigious production came against a credible Wazzu defense that allowed 20 PPG and 174 passing yards per game with 31 sacks. This year, Wazzu loses all 11 starters and bring in from Missouri new HC Kirby Moore, who is an offensive-minded coach. I expect the Huskies to do anything they want and give Wazzu a little extra since they're rivals and they want to score some style points in Game 1, meaning Williams should have another huge fantasy game in this year's Apple Cup.
West Virginia is going to run the ball with aplomb in Year 2 of the Rich Rodriguez resurgence in Morgantown. WVU went 4-8 last year as Rich Rod reorganized the roster in his visage, but this year the Mountaineers boast 120 line starts after portaling in four FBS starting offensive linemen and hiring OL guru Rick Trickett, which should greatly increase their middling 161 rushing yards per game average last year. For their part, CCU and new HC Ryan Beard are just serviceable enough to keep WVU's starters in the game until Q4. That is important since CCU was gorged for 5.1 YPC and 208 rushing yards per game in 2025. Cook should clear 100-yards and punch in at least one TD against the soft underbelly of the Chanticleers defensive front.
#yards #fantasy #starters
Play Yahoo's new College Fantasy Football game: Create or join a league now!
Accordingly, I prefer to target players on respectable P4 offenses that have something to prove and are facing reasonably competent G6 opponents who can hang around long enough for the starters to stay in the game for three quarters. With that in mind, here are my starts and sits for college fantasy football Week 1.
In last year's Apple Cup, Williams eviscerated the Cougs, completing 16-of-19 passes for 298 yards with four passing touchdowns, while rushing for 88 yards and another rushing score. This prodigious production came against a credible Wazzu defense that allowed 20 PPG and 174 passing yards per game with 31 sacks. This year, Wazzu loses all 11 starters and bring in from Missouri new HC Kirby Moore, who is an offensive-minded coach. I expect the Huskies to do anything they want and give Wazzu a little extra since they're rivals and they want to score some style points in Game 1, meaning Williams should have another huge fantasy game in this year's Apple Cup.
West Virginia is going to run the ball with aplomb in Year 2 of the Rich Rodriguez resurgence in Morgantown. WVU went 4-8 last year as Rich Rod reorganized the roster in his visage, but this year the Mountaineers boast 120 line starts after portaling in four FBS starting offensive linemen and hiring OL guru Rick Trickett, which should greatly increase their middling 161 rushing yards per game average last year. For their part, CCU and new HC Ryan Beard are just serviceable enough to keep WVU's starters in the game until Q4. That is important since CCU was gorged for 5.1 YPC and 208 rushing yards per game in 2025. Cook should clear 100-yards and punch in at least one TD against the soft underbelly of the Chanticleers defensive front.
#yards #fantasy #starters
11 days ago
Washington's defense will defend against a familiar quarterback but in a much different situation on Sunday afternoon. Caden Pinnick will line up under center for Washington State. The former FCS Freshman All-American at UC Davis started for the Aggies inside Husky Stadium exactly one year earlier on September 6th, 2025.
"I don't think the representation of him playing against us a year ago in a different system at a different school is something that we can really pay attention to," defensive coordinator Ryan Walters said of Pinnick during the final week of Fall camp. He followed that up with additional comments on Tuesday of game week. "It's a completely different player when you're surrounded by a different environment," Walters noted. "[Pinnick] has athleticism to extend plays with his legs and is accurate when he has a clean pocket and can deliver the ball. [He's a] good player, which is why he was able to earn a starting job at Wazzu."
Pinnick started every game last year for the Aggies, including that game at Washington. Walters' defense held him to just 50 yards passing with one touchdown and an interception that Saturday night. But in total, Pinnick tossed for over 3,200 yards on the season with 32 touchdowns and an additional 437 yards on the ground. Walters knows the caliber of athlete he's up against for the second-straight season.
"[Pinnick] is a cerebral guy that can move around, extend plays with his legs, and he's accurate when he throws the football," Walters said. And during his first Monday press conference of the season, Jedd Fisch shared similar thoughts on the athleticism Pinnick brings to the position.
"He made a lot of plays with his feet, with his arm," Fisch recalled from studying Pinnick at UC Davis last year. "I remember, I think they were playing Mercer, that he made some unbelievable plays that I was very impressed."
#plays #season #washington #davis
"I don't think the representation of him playing against us a year ago in a different system at a different school is something that we can really pay attention to," defensive coordinator Ryan Walters said of Pinnick during the final week of Fall camp. He followed that up with additional comments on Tuesday of game week. "It's a completely different player when you're surrounded by a different environment," Walters noted. "[Pinnick] has athleticism to extend plays with his legs and is accurate when he has a clean pocket and can deliver the ball. [He's a] good player, which is why he was able to earn a starting job at Wazzu."
Pinnick started every game last year for the Aggies, including that game at Washington. Walters' defense held him to just 50 yards passing with one touchdown and an interception that Saturday night. But in total, Pinnick tossed for over 3,200 yards on the season with 32 touchdowns and an additional 437 yards on the ground. Walters knows the caliber of athlete he's up against for the second-straight season.
"[Pinnick] is a cerebral guy that can move around, extend plays with his legs, and he's accurate when he throws the football," Walters said. And during his first Monday press conference of the season, Jedd Fisch shared similar thoughts on the athleticism Pinnick brings to the position.
"He made a lot of plays with his feet, with his arm," Fisch recalled from studying Pinnick at UC Davis last year. "I remember, I think they were playing Mercer, that he made some unbelievable plays that I was very impressed."
#plays #season #washington #davis
20 days ago
As per tradition, our annual 30 Day Countdown to the season here on UWDP features a few days where we look ahead and try to preview our schedule and the opponents we'll face this season. Today, we'll be looking at the schedule to circle which opponent might have the best offense that we'll face. In my opinion, there's really only a few that stand out from an otherwise middling group of offenses on our 2026 slate.
As a refresher for those who might not have committed our schedule to memory, here's our 2026 opponents:
Generally speaking, our non-conference opponents don't really wow me when it comes to offensive firepower. Wazzu has a solid offensive mind at the helm in Kirby Moore, and transfer QB Caden Pinnick finished last season as one of the top QBs in FCS. However, the Cougs are rebuilding from scratch for the second year in a row under a new staff, and UW's defense made Pinnick a non-factor last year when UC Davis came to Montlake, so it's unlikely that they will be among the best offenses we'll face.
Utah State might be a bit frisky on offense under Bronco Mendenhall and OC Robert Anae. Anae, a long time Mendenhall **** istant across various stops including BYU and Virginia, is a well-respected offensive mind. His offenses often feature dynamic dual threat QBs and a diverse run game that has long-served as an equalizer against more talented opponents, but I'm still not sold on them being among the best overall offenses we'll face.
USC has always been talented, and they've been particularly dangerous on offense under Lincoln Riley. However, this season might be different for the Trojans. Their roster-building strategy took a noticeable shift over the last 18 months, culminating in a 42-man, #1 ranked 2026 class. At first glance, the sheer volume of incoming players stand out, but a deeper dive points to a wholesale shift in how they want to build this roster and why there's so much turnover heading into year 6. The Trojans want to reload the trenches.
#we 'll #might #offenses #best
As a refresher for those who might not have committed our schedule to memory, here's our 2026 opponents:
Generally speaking, our non-conference opponents don't really wow me when it comes to offensive firepower. Wazzu has a solid offensive mind at the helm in Kirby Moore, and transfer QB Caden Pinnick finished last season as one of the top QBs in FCS. However, the Cougs are rebuilding from scratch for the second year in a row under a new staff, and UW's defense made Pinnick a non-factor last year when UC Davis came to Montlake, so it's unlikely that they will be among the best offenses we'll face.
Utah State might be a bit frisky on offense under Bronco Mendenhall and OC Robert Anae. Anae, a long time Mendenhall **** istant across various stops including BYU and Virginia, is a well-respected offensive mind. His offenses often feature dynamic dual threat QBs and a diverse run game that has long-served as an equalizer against more talented opponents, but I'm still not sold on them being among the best overall offenses we'll face.
USC has always been talented, and they've been particularly dangerous on offense under Lincoln Riley. However, this season might be different for the Trojans. Their roster-building strategy took a noticeable shift over the last 18 months, culminating in a 42-man, #1 ranked 2026 class. At first glance, the sheer volume of incoming players stand out, but a deeper dive points to a wholesale shift in how they want to build this roster and why there's so much turnover heading into year 6. The Trojans want to reload the trenches.
#we 'll #might #offenses #best
1 month ago
NORMAN — Brent "Double Nickels" Venables is the oldest head coach in the SEC, but he was once a 28-year-old co-defensive coordinator on Bob Stoops' first OU staff.
Even younger than Ben Arbuckle, then 29, when Venables hired the former Washington State offensive coordinator to run OU's offense. Arbuckle, who's since turned 30 and is a month shy of 31, is set to enter his second season as the Sooners' OC.
Year 1 was as rocky as the mountains that bear his name. Oklahoma ranked ninth in passing, 13th in rushing and 14th in yards per play in the 16-team SEC. Quarterback John Mateer, who followed Arbuckle from Wazzu to OU, was ineffective after injuring his hand. OU's offensive line was green. The running game stagnated. The passing attack was void of big plays.
But now Mateer is healthy, and his supporting cast is more experienced.
Arbuckle included.
#mateer #coordinator #passing #norman
Even younger than Ben Arbuckle, then 29, when Venables hired the former Washington State offensive coordinator to run OU's offense. Arbuckle, who's since turned 30 and is a month shy of 31, is set to enter his second season as the Sooners' OC.
Year 1 was as rocky as the mountains that bear his name. Oklahoma ranked ninth in passing, 13th in rushing and 14th in yards per play in the 16-team SEC. Quarterback John Mateer, who followed Arbuckle from Wazzu to OU, was ineffective after injuring his hand. OU's offensive line was green. The running game stagnated. The passing attack was void of big plays.
But now Mateer is healthy, and his supporting cast is more experienced.
Arbuckle included.
#mateer #coordinator #passing #norman
