Separating the similarities
Published: 8/29/2008 11:14 AM
Last Modified: 8/29/2008 11:14 AM
SEATTLE – There are some fascinating similarities regarding Saturday's opener here between OSU and Washington State.
The coaches at both programs played football and graduated from their current employers. Both Mike Gundy and Paul Wulff are 41-years-old. Both have passion for their schools, which is important for the following similarity.
Both programs are regarded as the second program in their respective state. Fighting for respectability and attention against the more prominent in-state program is tough. OSU constantly fights that battle with OU. Washington State has held its own against its in-state rival Washington on the field, but suffers in the perception battle. WSU is located in the eastern part of the state in the small town of Pullman right on the Washington-Idaho border, while UW is located in metropolitan Seattle.
ESPN's Mike Tirico told me for a story a few years ago that the toughest college football coaching jobs to succeed in are those programs that are perceived nationally to be second in their states, like OSU, Washington State, and Michigan State.
Gundy has experienced that as a head coach for three years and more when you count his time as an OSU player and assistant coach. Wulff can concur from his playing days and now entering his first season as Washington State's head coach.
Saturday's opener is nationally televised on FSN. It is a chance for one program to score not only a win on the field, but also a chance to score points in the national perception game as well.
--- Matt Doyle
Written by
Bill Haisten
Sports Writer
