Q: Will Artrell Woods play next season? If he plays, how effective could he be? — Albert Underwood.
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A: It's too early to project how effective Woods will be, but OSU head trainer Rob Hunt said Woods realistically has a chance to play in the season opener Aug. 30 at Washington State.
Woods was cleared to jog last month. He will step up his running regimen and participate in spring practice next month. Woods will be held out of all contact drills but will run routes and work with wide receivers during individual sessions.
The biggest test will be during two-a-days in August. That's when the speedy wideout will absorb a hit for the first time since the 2007 spring game. Doctors have said Woods is no more at risk to suffer a back injury than any other player.
It's a remarkable story. After Woods went through major surgery on July 13 to repair a dislocated vertebra in his lower back most believed his career was over. A year later, he has a legitimate shot at playing in the season opener in Seattle.
Q: Did OSU catch a break by getting a home-and-home series against Washington State without having to play in their actual stadium? — Phil Jennings, Choctaw.A: It might be a disadvantage. WSU plays at Martin Stadium, which has a capacity of 35,117. The Cougars are in a four-phase reconstruction plan that will eventually add 8,000 more seats. Qwest Field in Seattle might be a more hostile environment.
This is the seventh consecutive year Washington State has played a game in Seattle where it has 60,000 alumni. Last year's game against San Diego State drew 46,290 fans. The Cougars have averaged nearly 50,000 fans and are 5-1 in six previous games in Seattle.
Since it will be the debut for new WSU head coach Paul Wulff, a crowd of 50,000 is projected. The one plus for OSU is the rematch in 2010 will be played at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater.
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