THE FRONT ROW WITH JASON ELLIOTT: Nov. 8, 2014

It might be a good thing to have more than a few state high school football playoff games in the area a little later today.

Otherwise, it might make for a long, long afternoon for football fans.

SAY WHAT you want about the Washington State Cougars and Idaho Vandals, but neither team has quite played to what anyone expected.

Both teams are still a little young, or injuries have played a role in where they are right now.

And also where they're going.

With Washington State, which enters today's game at Oregon State with a 2-7 record, it won't be easy after losing starting quarterback Connor Halliday for the season with a broken ankle during last Saturday's game against Southern California.

Washington State's wins came against Portland State - a middle of the road Big Sky Conference team - and Utah, in Salt Lake City, in what could have been the game where the Cougars built some momentum.

They've since lost 60-59 to California, and been blown out against Stanford, Arizona and USC, not exactly what many expected.

And with its top player on offense now out for the season, it might be for the best that they'll get a chance to see what backup Luke Falk can do at quarterback.

MEANWHILE IN Moscow, the Vandals are 1-7, and could be 1-8 if not for lightning storms in Gainesville in late August which canceled the game against Florida.

To the Vandals' credit, games in the Sun Belt Conference have been a lot closer than those last year. This afternoon at San Diego State might be another story, but stranger things have happened.

Last year, playing Florida State, Mississippi and Fresno State - who were ranked at the time - you could kind of expect them to drop those games. In case you missed it, Florida State won the national title, and is right back in the mix for another title this year.

Playing in a conference - no matter where or who else is in it - really does help the Vandals, because at least they can become more familiar with playing teams again, rather than having to prepare for 11 different types of offenses and defenses.

At least now, things seem to be improving for the Vandals.

That is, if you can forget the 2-18 record under coach Paul Petrino since taking over in Moscow.

A FEW years ago, to me, it seemed like the best place for the Vandals might be returning to the Big Sky Conference for football.

Not now.

If nothing else, they might as well remain in the Sun Belt, continue to grow and hope that this time next year they are competing for a chance to play a bowl game in December.

No matter how bad things get from here.

Jason Elliott is a sports writer for the Coeur d'Alene Press. He can be reached by telephone at 664-8176, Ext. 2020 or via email at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at JEPressSports.