Spring practices are in the books and fall camps will be here before you know it so that means getting an early jump on the 2006 NCAA football season. Knowing the teams now will save you time in August and Matt Fargo is here to help you get a grasp of what to expect this upcoming year. We go from worst to first in this 2006 College Football Preview.

#57 Washington St. Cougars 4-7 SU; 5-5 ATS

Fargos Take Washington St. has declined in win totals in each of the last four seasons but that trend should reverse in 2006 if the Cougars show any sort of pulse on the defensive side of the ball. They had a very odd season last year as they went 1-7 in the Pac Ten with only one of those seven defeats being by more than four points. If a couple of those games went the other way, Washington St. could have gone bowling but that wasnt the case and grumblings emerged stating that the close losses were due to coaching. Head coach Bill Duba enters this season on the hot seat as another losing season will not be tolerated in Pullman. Washington St. finished last season 8th in the country in total offense but just 106th in total defense. This will be one of the best offenses in the conference as well as in the country but if they cant stop anyone, the Cougars could be in for another frustrating season.

Returning Starters on Offense 7 Despite losing one of the best running backs in the country, the Cougars should still posses one of the best offenses in the nation. Jerome Harrison rushed for 1,900 yards and scored 16 touchdowns last season and his presence led to a spectacular season for quarterback Alex Brink. He threw for 2,891 yards and 24 touchdowns while completing 57.3 percent of his throws. He has one of the best receivers in the country returning in senior Jason Hill, who toyed around with leaving for the NFL but decided to stay and try to become the leading receiver in Washington St. history. The Cougars will likely employ a running back by committee to replace Harrison and while the rushing attack wont be nearly as effective, it will be sufficient. A lot of the success of that will come down to the offensive line that returns three starters but lacks a lot of depth.

Returning Starters on Defense 7 As good as the offense was last season, the defense allowed too many big plays. The rushing defense allowed the most yards per game since 2000 but it was the passing defense that could not stop anyone. The Cougars finished 113th against the pass and allowed 27 touchdowns through the air, the fourth most in the country. Obviously that will need to improve but the talent simply isnt there. The numbers should get better since the secondary is experienced but experience can only go so far. The defensive line will be the strength with three starters coming back along with the possible return of defensive tackle Ropati Pitoitua, who missed most of last season with a broken leg. After allowing 18 ppg in non-conference action last season, Washington St. gave up 36.5 ppg in the Pac Ten and with potent offenses all over the conference this year, it could be yet another long season on that side of the ball.

Schedule Washington St. started the season 3-0 last year thanks to an easy non-conference schedule but it will be more difficult this season. The Cougars start the season with a trip to Auburn and following a home game against Idaho, they host a much improved Baylor team in Seattle. Because the Pac Ten teams will play everyone in the conference this year, those are the only out of conference games. The Pac Ten slate features five home games with three of those coming against USC, California and Oregon, the projected top three teams in the conference. The four road games are all against middle of the pack squads and if there is any hope for a winning record, a split of those contests is a necessity. The most difficult part of the schedule is that there is no bye week anywhere.

You can bet on The decline of the program is hard to stomach in Pullman as this team was in the Rose Bowl just five years ago. Duba is signed on through 2009 and it is pretty evident that he needs to get things going in the right direction or he wont last that long. The Cougars have the ability to win shootouts but if there are any significant injuries on that offense, Washington St. doesnt stand a chance. It is just 3-10 ATS over the last three seasons as a home favorite and will be in that position in its home opener against Idaho. The Vandals have former Cougars head coach Dennis Erickson at the helm and his name is constantly being brought up for a return trip on the sidelines. Idaho will be much improved on offense and after scoring 26 points in the meeting last year, it could make this normal sure loss very interesting.