Leach not paying attention to buzz surrounding Cougs

Arguably the best quarterback-wide receiver combination in the Pac-12 and an improving defense is a major reason Washington State enters the 2016 season with high expectations.

Certainly, the buzz about what’s going on in Pullman is so loud you’re advised to wear ear plugs. Earlier this week, the Cougars were ranked No. 29 with 68 votes in the Associated Press preseason poll, the sixth highest ranked Pac-12 team behind Stanford (No. 8), Washington (14), UCLA (16), USC (20) and Oregon (24).

The Cougars face four of those five teams during the regular season (all except USC), three in consecutive weeks by mid-October.

Mike Leach, though, is less than impressed with the optimistic talk surrounding the Cougars coming off a 9-4 season.

“This year’s team hasn’t done anything,” Leach told Rip City Radio in Portland, Ore. Monday night. “You can have all the buzz you want, but nothing from last year counts, no plays, no games, no moments contribute to this year’s team. Coming up shortly, we’re going to have the opportunity to do some things and we’ll see how it goes.”

While Leach aims to keep expectations in check, the optimism is justified for several reasons, beginning, of course, with quarterback Luke Falk. Some analysts are already speculating the former walk-on could have one of the best passing seasons in Pac-12 history.

The conference record for most passing yards in a single season (4,719) was set by California’s Jared Goff in 2015. Had Falk not missed part of the Colorado game and all of the Apple Cup with a head injury, he would have likely set the record himself.

If Falk stays healthy throughout the 2016 campaign and maintains his nation-leading average of 380.1 passing yards per game from last year, he would have nearly 4,600 yards through the air heading into the bowl game.

However, Falk’s keen leadership skills is what impresses Leach the most.

“He has really good leadership qualities,” Leach said. “He does a very good job with that type of thing. The biggest thing is he is constantly there and constantly engaged. As he is engaged, the people around him become more engaged. He has that quality. He is also the same guy every day. That rubs off on people. Stability generates confidence within the team.”

The biggest positive surprise from preseason camp could be the practice performances of multiple true freshmen, Leach said. Nonetheless, Leach has learned in a quarter century of coaching to keep expectations for freshmen in check.

“The size, speed and how some of our freshmen have adapted as quickly as they have,” Leach said when asked for his most pleasant surprise. “But anybody who counts on freshmen (is in trouble). They haven’t done anything yet. Nevertheless, we have some freshmen that will play this year.”

“People assume a freshman is just going to waltz out there and shock the world and take control of a team and change their fortunes dramatically. If you’re waiting for a freshman sensation to solve any problems you have, you’re going to be waiting a long time, probably until his junior year.”

Is the 2016 incoming class the best yet under Leach? Possibly. Through almost three weeks of preseason camp, the newcomers certainty look the part.

“We do have some guys that will play some this year,” Leach said. “Our recruiting efforts do seem to be bringing in bigger and better athletes. That’s good for our future with some contribution this year.”

Any freshman is unlikely to start or become a major contributor along the offensive line, but the Cougars’ experience there, primarily at center and the right side of the line, encourages Leach and should help propel the WSU offense to the stratospheric heights most analysts expect.

“(Offensive line) is the most important position in football,” Leach said. “That’s why you have football, along with the defensive line. You have five of them, they’re the biggest voices in the locker room, they’re the biggest people and they can whip everybody.

“We have a decent group (of offensive linemen). The left side of our line, allegedly the new guys, are doing very well. (Left tackle) Andre Dillard played quite a bit last year and Cody O’Connell is coming into his own and doing some good things.”

Going into the season, many people presume Washington State will rely purely on Falk’s right arm to pile up yardage and points. But three quality running backs certify the Cougars will also try to occasionally move the ball on the ground, although Leach’s potentially prolific scheme is dubbed the ‘Air Raid’ for a good reason.

“You just try to select the play you have the best value on,” Leach said. “Sometimes the defense is going to give you better value on a run, especially if they think you’re going to throw the ball all the time as we tend to do. One, (running the ball) keeps them honest and two, it might get you more yards.”

Junior running backs Gerard Wicks and Jamal Morrow averaged a combined 5.98 yards per carry in 2015, a significant increase over the previous season. This season, dynamic freshman James Williams is added to the mix.

“As our running backs have gotten older, our personnel at that position has improved,” Leach said. “They have gotten better at doing their jobs. Together with our bigger offensive line, that improves our value running the ball.”

NOTES

-- Watch Lists have proliferated in recent years, and the Senior Bowl is now different. Tuesday, three Cougar players were named to the 2017 Senior Bowl Watch List – WR River Cracraft, WR Gabe Marks and S Shalom Luani. More than 400 players are included on the initial watch list.

-- Two of the five writers covering the Pac-12 for ESPN.com predicted Falk would capture Conference Offensive Player of the Year honors. Kevin Gemmell wrote Falk “is going to put up outstanding, record-setting numbers. He brings an efficient and cerebral approach to the Air Raid, which, along with a great stable of receivers, should produce huge stats.” Chantel Jennings likewise forecasts a great year for Falk: “The redshirt junior will lead the conference in total offense for the second season in a row and push Washington State to a nine-win season.”

THIS WEEK’S PRACTICE SCHEDULE:

Wed., Aug. 24 - 3:30 p.m.

Thu., Aug. 25 - 3:30 p.m.

Fri., Aug. 26 - 3:30 p.m.

Sat., Aug. 27 - 1:30 p.m.

Sun., Aug. 28 - 8 p.m.