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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 1:08 p.m., Wednesday, November 12, 2008

CFB: Cougars count on point-a-minute defense

By Steve Harvey
Special to the Los Angeles Times

It was another milestone for Washington State. The Cougars (1-9) became the first Pacific 10 Conference member of college football's 500 Club — having allowed 502 points in 10 games.

The Cougars' point-a-minute defense surrendered 69 points against USC, 66 against California, 66 against Oregon State and 63 against Oregon.

But they do have one blemish on their record — a 48-9 victory over Portland State, which plays 6-man football. So, the Cougars are tied for No. 1 with Washington (0-9), which hasn't won a game since the administration of President George W. Bush.

Meanwhile, the funny little SMUs (1-9) are still in contention for the Bottom Ten title. But they risk their No. 5 ranking against University of Texas of El Down and Out Paso (4-5).

Wreck/Record/Last Loss/Next Loss

1. Washington/0-9/19-39, Arizona State/UCLA

1. Washington State/1-9/28-59, Arizona/Arizona State

3. Tennessee/3-7/7-13, Wyoming/Vanderbilt

4. San Diego State/1-9/12-41, Brigham Young/Utah

5. The SMUS/1-9/26-31, Memphis/UTEP

6. Syracuse/2-7/17-35, Rutgers/Conn

7. Utah State/2-8/14-49, Boise State/Louisiana Tech

8. Idaho/2-8/Idle/Boise State

9. Minnehaha/7-3/6-29, Michigan/Wisconsin

10. Michigan/3-7/def. Minnehaha, 29-6/Northwestern

11. Arizona State (3-6); 12. Indiana (3-7); 13. Baylor (3-7); 14. Mississippi State (3-6); 15. Purdon't (3-7); 16. UCLA (3-6); 17. Tulane (2-7); 18. New Mexico (4-7); 19. On assignment; 20. Pouring-It-On Ohio State (scored twice on fake punts in fourth quarter of 45-10 win over Northwestern, including one with seven seconds left to play).

Rout of the week: Boise State (9-0) over Idaho (2-8).

Oddest ref call of the week: During the USC-California game, an official announced: "Prior to the snap . . . illegal snap."