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Washington State's Mike Leach not ready to name QB for Apple Cup

On Monday's conference call with reporters, Washington State head coach Mike Leach was vague about who would be his starting quarterback in Friday's final game of the season against Washington for the Apple Cup. The non-bowl bound coach has no reason to hide his cards. Unless he just really likes apples.

By Jen Neale
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-US PRESSWIRE

Either Mike Leach hasn't decided, doesn't know or does know and won't tell anyone, who his starting quarterback will be Friday for the Apple Cup. The Washington State head coach has frequently used both senior Jeff Tuel and sophomore Connor Halliday in the Cougars disappointing 2-9 season. Leach's 'musical quarterbacks' is just one of many less-than-flattering plot points emerging from Wazzu this year.

Tuel and Halliday have been used interchangeably throughout the season with each player appearing in nine games. Games tended to follow the same script: one quarterback would struggle early and the other would come in; leaving both players unable to get comfortable with the offensive line and viceversa. Against Oregon, Tuel was sacked 10 times and when Halliday replaced him, Halliday was sacked another seven times. The O-line does take some of the blame; however, it's harder to protect the QB when the offensive line aren't used to his tendencies and style of play.

Wazzu is 0-8 in Pac-12 play this season. If they want their first conference victory, and the Apple Cup, the team will have to get through No. 25 Washington.