Date ... Opponent
Aug. 30 ... at Boise St.
Sept. 15 ... at Cal Poly
Sept. 22 ... Montana St.
Sept. 29 ... at Montana
Oct. 6 ... Sacramento St.
Oct. 13 ... at N. Colorado
Oct. 20 ... Northern Arizona
Oct. 27 ... at Portland St.
Nov. 3 ... Idaho State
Nov. 10 ... Fort Lewis College
Nov. 17 ... at E. Washington
2006 RECORD: 4-7
PREDICTED 2007 FINISH: 6th (coaches and media polls)
STARTERS RETURNING: 10 (6 offense, 4 defense)
STARTERS LOST: 12 (5 offense, 7 defense)
3 NAMES YOU ALREADY KNOW: Sophomore RB Trevyn Smith led the Big Sky in rushing (1,129 yards) last year. DB Ty Sparrow is the top returning tackler (68) and pickoff man (3). Senior OL David Hale is a three-time all-Big Sky honoree.
3 NAMES YOU SHOULD KNOW: Get used to hearing about QB Jimmy Barnes. He's the real deal. Derek Johnson and Pate Moleni are underrated defensive linemen who can blow up an opposing offensive line.
3 KEY DATES: Opening the season at Boise State (Aug. 30) is about as challenging a game as WSU could ask for. A trip to Missoula (Sept. 29) to face No. 2 Montana will show what the team is made of. When Northern Arizona comes to town (Oct. 20), the Wildcats will either be in or out of the conference chase.
3 REASONS TO BE EXCITED: A veteran run game and O-line should allow the passing game to mature ... Bryant Eteuati is the most exciting kick returner in the Big Sky ... Coach Ron McBride is only two games away from win No. 100.
3 REASONS TO BE CAUTIOUS: Only four starters return on defense, meaning there will be growing pains ... The QB and WR positions are talented but very inexperienced ... The schedule is not kind, and a demoralizing 1-3 start is a real possibility.