There was no better time for the Cougars to press the reset button (aka have a bye week).

Doba and Dillon (the two guys I talked to Wednesday at practice) agreed that it was definitely time for the team to get a break mentally and physically.

Who can blame them?

Washington State was coming off a 53-7 loss to Oregon. They're only 2-and-5 this year (still winless in the conference).

Dillon told me that they're approaching it as a whole different season (wiping the slate clean if you will). But, they can't forget their past.

The Cougs need to win their last five games to guarantee a bowl game (most likely the Poinsettia Bowl, but who cares...it's a bowl game).

That's not an easy task (it hasn't been for weeks). Wazzu plays UCLA on Saturday. The Bruins are on top of the Pac-10 (with Arizona State), but aren't ranked (they were at the start of the year). Fortunately, a week off and a successful past against the Bruins could be a winning combination.

Washington State has knocked off UCLA in five of their last six matchups. The only loss was a 44-41 overtime heartbreaker in 2005.

It also helps that WSU plays at Martin Stadium (only the second time against conference opponent). Their only other matchup was a 23-20 loss to the Sun Devils (it was also the only time the Cougs were competitive in a Pac-10 game this year).

So, the pieces seem to be in place: rest, a strong track record and a home game.

Now, the Cougs need to put it all together.

Other Notes:

-- Wide receiver Brandon Gibson doesn't look like he's 100-percent. He went through drills, but still looks hobbled by a heel injury.

-- It doesn't help things that Jeshua Anderson wasn't suited up Wednesday. He was also limping around at practice.