Four games into the season may not be quite enough to get a full picture of the new WSU Cougars, but it’s a good enough sample size. There are more questions than answers thus far, and the few answers we have aren’t pretty. Through the season’s first two games, it looked like, generally speaking, WSU […]
Four games into the season may not be quite enough to get a full picture of the new WSU Cougars, but it’s a good enough sample size. There are more questions than answers thus far, and the few answers we have aren’t pretty.
Through the season’s first two games, it looked like, generally speaking, WSU was stout on defense and searching for an identity on offense. New head coach Jimmy Rogers brought a run-first offense to Pullman, which was being questioned right out of the gate.
Then the defense started to sputter in an embarrassing loss at North Texas. The offense that week was atrocious, which added up to a lopsided scoreboard. Then the Cougs benched quarterback Jaxon Potter in favor of Zevi Eckhaus ahead of last week’s Apple Cup. There were still woes on offense, but Eckhaus showed that he probably should have been QB1 all along.
So, heading into week five, the Cougs have holes on defense, an offense that is still finding its way, and a road matchup in high elevation today against Colorado State.
Is this a must-win game for WSU’s bowl hopes? It sure feels that way.
The Cougs rank near the bottom nationwide in rushing offense and turnover margin. Not the kind of stats you want in your pocket when your postseason hopes seemingly hang in the balance. It’s not even October and we’re about to write them off.
But that could change this evening in Fort Collins. The Rams are 1-2, with losses to Washington (been there) and last week against UT-San Antonio. Their lone win was a close one against FBS (been there) Northern Colorado.
It was last week’s loss to UTSA where the Rams benched their starting quarterback (been there, too!) in favor of backup and redshirt sophomore Jackson Brousseau, who quickly marched the Rams down the field for two touchdowns.
Brousseau is reportedly a pocket passer, which is an advantage for WSU, as the Cougs have had trouble with mobile quarterbacks. However, Brousseau has a couple mammoth receivers in 6’5 Rocky Beers (all-time name) and 6’8 tight end Jaxxon Warren. Every member of the WSU secondary has to tilt their head up to look at these two giants, creating matchup issues.
But that’s where the WSU front seven comes in. Pressure Brousseau enough and the deficiencies in the secondary might not matter.
On offense, we assume Eckhaus will get the start again. The WSU offense needs to stop turning the ball over, as its -7 turnover margin is absolutely killing them. The defense has its flaws, but the offense setting it up for trouble isn’t helping.
It’s the Cougs and the Rams, future Pac-12 partners. Talk about it here.
When
4:30 p.m. PT
Where
Fort Collins, Colorado, elevation: 5,000 feet. Get you some oxygen, fans.
How to Watch
CBS Sports Network, with Rich Waltz and Robert Turbin on the call.
The Line
Colorado State, -5.5, per ESPN Bet. The O/U is 48.5, though I’m not sure if that’s total points or WSU rushing yards (rimshot!)
Familiar Names
Ayden Hector – remember him? He’s still playing in his final season. Hector came to WSU under curious circumstances and then left after being suspended for trying to use a fake ID to buy alcohol at Dissmore’s.
Jernias Tafia is a redshirt seniors on the defensive line who spent three years at WSU, making four tackles in 13 appearances.
Category: General Sports
