SPOKANE, Wash. - Washington State's game against No. 25 Notre Dame is in San Antonio this Saturday, but coach Paul Wulff is not really expecting a neutral crowd.
Wulff estimated that most of the fans in the 60,000-seat Alamodome will be rooting for the Fighting Irish in the nationally televised game.
"If 60,000 people are there and 55,000 are rooting for Notre Dame, I think that will be a huge home field advantage for them," Wulff said. "I'm assuming that is what it is going to be."
The Cougars (1-6) have nearly sold out their 4,000-ticket allotment, team officials said.
Wulff was asked if he would rather play Notre Dame (5-2) in South Bend, Ind.
"That's a good question. I don't know," he said. "Traditionalists might like to go to South Bend."
But playing at a neutral site in a warm weather city over a holiday weekend has its charms, he said.
"There is a bowl feel to it for some people," Wulff said. "There is a great opportunity for our players to feel this."
Notre Dame, 28.5-point favorites, is playing the first of what will be annual neutral site games to aid recruiting and connect with far-flung fans.
This is only the second meeting between the programs. Notre Dame won in overtime, 29-26, in 2003 in South Bend.
The Cougars will fly to San Antonio on Friday, and probably won't have time to visit the Alamo or many other sites, Wulff said.
The Alamodome holds fond memories for WSU fans, as the Cougars of the Palouse Posse era won the Alamo Bowl against Baylor in 1994.
Notre Dame has already played Washington this season, beating the Huskies 37-30 in overtime on Oct. 3.
Freshman quarterback Jeff Tuel has the WSU passing game clicking, throwing for 354 yards last week in a loss at California. Receiver Johnny Forzani is emerging as a big play threat, with touchdown receptions of 99 and 68 yards the past two weeks.
But the running attack was held to 55 yards against Cal. Wulff said freshman Carl Winston is emerging as the most effective rusher. His 37-yard gain last week was the longest run of the season for WSU. Logwone Mitz is also improving.
Veteran Dwight Tardy, leading rusher the past three years, is struggling.
"Dwight is in the mix, but these other guys are doing a few things better on a consistent basis," Wulff said.
