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Oregon State's Andersen irked by Mike Leach's compliment

Russ Isabella / USA TODAY Sports

Oregon State coach Gary Andersen wasn't impressed by the seemingly innocent compliment given to his program by Washington State's Mike Leach.

While reflecting on the Cougars' win over Andersen's team on Saturday, Leach said Tuesday the Beavers are "every bit as talented as we are." Andersen, though, questioned why Leach would say that when Oregon State entered the contest 2-5 and down to its third-string quarterback.

"I couldn't tell if he was trying to start a campaign for coach of the year or trying to compliment Oregon State ... " Andersen told John Canzano of the Oregonian on "The Bald Faced Truth" radio show Wednesday. "Who knows? Maybe Mike is campaigning for the postseason awards ... I'll have to ask him when I see him ... interesting comments, to say the least."

Leach's Cougars took the decision 35-31, improving their record to 6-2 and dropping the Beavers to 2-6.

Washington State is ranked 25th this week in both the College Football Playoff rankings and the AP Poll.

It's not the first time Leach has ruffled the feathers of his coaching peers. Earlier this season, he accused Arizona State of orchestrating a "command center" to steal opponents' signs, causing Sun Devils coach Todd Graham to leave Leach with some NSFW food for thought during their postgame embrace.

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