As a rule, college football teams strive to excel. The trouble for Washington State is that excellence is not a word most fans or players are accustomed to hearing.

Destroyed, yes. Overwhelmed, certainly. Outmatched, out-played, and dominated are all common refrains after consecutive drubbings—to the tune of 69-0 and 58-0—at the hands of league foes. Last year, a double-overtime win against rival Washington in Pullman was all first-year head coach Paul Wulff needed to placate rabid fans. This year, the bar's been raised a bit higher.

Though there are no realistic expectations of excellence, even managing a "par" rating could hinge on being successful right ou...

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