Despite losing its conference, its coach and its quarterback – plus the offensive coordinator, top tailback, leading receiver and so many other impact players – Washington State went bowling for the ninth time in the past 11 years and finished with a winning record. Oh, and this: The schedule was rugged. WSU faced four opponents that won at least 10 games and eight that were bowl-eligible. Yet through a combination of grit, guile, shrewd coaching and the proper alignment of moon and stars over the Palouse, the Cougars won seven games, scared the bejesus out of a playoff team and finished with a blowout victory over Utah State in the Potato Bowl. So let’s pause momentarily to appreciate...
