Washington State coaches have been getting ready for Auburn on the field all summer. But for Cougar athletic department officials it has been all about getting them to Auburn. That odyssey starts Friday morning when Washington State embarks on a five hour flight from Pullman, Washington to Montgomery.
Cougars coach Bill Doba is not happy about possibly having to extend the trip because of a refueling stop in route. Once on the ground, Washington State will bus from Montgomery to Jordan-Hare Stadium for a brief walk through. Then it's back to Prattville for the night. Prattville? Impressive.
A big concern for the Cougars has been the heat and humidity they may encounter at game time. But as it stands now, that may not be a problem. Saturday's forecast calls for a high of 86 degrees with humidity at 69%. That's not exactly sweltering. With tropical storm Ernesto heading north, the rain chances are only 20%.
Still, Washington State is not taking any chances. They are encouraging their players to stay hydrated and drink at least a gallon of water a day. The players have been taking salt pills to also prepare for the heat. Regardless of the outcome, State will come away winners. They are guaranteed a $1.2 million pay day from Auburn and ESPN 2. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:45 CST and will broadcast by the Deuce.
