[Austroturf]

Over at CougCenter, there is a big debate about whether the snowy conditions hurt Wazzu's chances in the Apple Cup.  I am surprised there is a debate.  Slippery conditions and bad visibility are poison for a quick-striking air-raid system.  The outcome of the game may not have been different under dry conditions, but the Cougs definitely had a handicap in the game.  Minshew had difficulties grasping the ball, his field of vision was cluttered by driving snow, and his receivers had a more difficult time hauling in the passes.  Though Browning passed better than Minshew in the same conditions, he always had Myles Gaskin to fall back on.  And running the ball in such conditions is far easier.  It's easier to pass when you have other options.  

I have to say Coug fans are taking the loss rather well and not looking for a scapegoat to lynch.  But the frustration is palpable after so many losses to their cross-state rival.  Most are hoping for a Fiesta Bowl bid, which would be good for the Pac-12 overall and open up more slots in the other bowl tie-ins.  Utah and Washington will fill the Rose and Alamo slots (in some order).  The remaining bowl games would be the Holiday, Redbox, Sun, Vegas and Cactus.  So far, 7 Pac-12 teams are bowl eligible.  Technically, it could be as many as ten if Colorado upsets Cal, USC miraculously beats Notre Dame and Arizona gets by ASU.  Assuming one more team becomes bowl eligible, then there would be just enough teams to fill-up the tie-in bowls.  Where we end up obviously depends on how we finish the season. Holiday Bowl would be nice for a change.  Maybe we get a rematch with Michigan State or Iowa.

[Austroturf]

Over at CougCenter, there is a big debate about whether the snowy conditions hurt Wazzu's chances in the Apple Cup.  I am surprised there is a debate.  Slippery conditions and bad visibility are poison for a quick-striking air-raid system.  The outcome of the game may not have been different under dry conditions, but the Cougs definitely had a handicap in the game.  Minshew had difficulties grasping the ball, his field of vision was cluttered by driving snow, and his receivers had a more difficult time hauling in the passes.  Though Browning passed better than Minshew in the same conditions, he always had Myles Gaskin to fall back on.  And running the ball in such conditions is far easier.  It's easier to pass when you have other options.  

I have to say Coug fans are taking the loss rather well and not looking for a scapegoat to lynch.  But the frustration is palpable after so many losses to their cross-state rival.  Most are hoping for a Fiesta Bowl bid, which would be good for the Pac-12 overall and open up more slots in the other bowl tie-ins.  Utah and Washington will fill the Rose and Alamo slots (in some order).  The remaining bowl games would be the Holiday, Redbox, Sun, Vegas and Cactus.  So far, 7 Pac-12 teams are bowl eligible.  Technically, it could be as many as ten if Colorado upsets Cal, USC miraculously beats Notre Dame and Arizona gets by ASU.  Assuming one more team becomes bowl eligible, then there would be just enough teams to fill-up the tie-in bowls.  Where we end up obviously depends on how we finish the season. Holiday Bowl would be nice for a change.  Maybe we get a rematch with Michigan State or Iowa.