In light of this Saturday's matchup of Colorado (3-3,1-2 Pac-12) and Washington State (3-3, 0-3 Pac-12) in Pullman at 5 p.m. MST, CUSportsNation benefitted from some insider information about the Cougars via Scott Hood of WazzuWatch, the Rivals site providing daily coverage of Washington State athletics.
Twitter: @WazzuWatch, @ScottHood63
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CUSportsNation: What's your overall assessment of this team midway through the season? What did you think the team capable of in the preseason and how thus far has what Washington State has done aligned with those thoughts?
WazzuWatch: Any preseason thoughts of Washington State matching last season’s 11-2 record were unrealistic based on the personnel losses (QB Gardner Minshew, LT Andre Dillard and S Jalen Thompson — who are all playing in NFL) and the demanding Pac-12 road schedule (at Utah, Arizona State, Oregon, Cal and Washington).
Most CFB analysts predicted a seven or eight win season. I thought WSU would be 4-2 at worst after six games, so they are 1 game behind.
So far, the offense has performed up to expectations with QB Anthony Gordon posting prolific numbers. However, the defense has performed below expectations, particularly since Pac-12 play started a month ago. They did OK in the first 3-1/2 games, but the last 10 quarters have generally been a nightmare with 126 points allowed, including 50 points to UCLA in about 20 minutes.
CUSportsNation: Just how good is Anthony Gordon? His stats / WSU's passing offense statistics certainly don't lie, but could you break down for me the type of QB he is and what strengths/weaknesses you observe in him in general?
WazzuWatch: Gordon began to separate himself from the pack in spring practice and cemented his status as WSU’s new starting QB with a solid preseason camp in August.
He certainly possesses a strong throwing arm and a deep knowledge of the Air Raid offense since this is his fourth season running WSU’s Air Raid offense. Through six games, he leads the nation in total passing yards (2,612) and passing yards per game (435.3), and is 2nd in passing TDs (25).
So, the production is there. However, I don’t think he reads defenses as well as Minshew did, or is the leader he was. Minshew has a unique personality (as NFL folks are finding out now) and his confidence rubbed off on his teammates.
Gordon is more of a lead by example guy. Leach’s Air Raid quarterbacks have the authority to change the play at the line of scrimmage from pass to run depending on the number of defenders in the box. I’m not sure Gordon has mastered that part of his responsibilities yet.
CUSportsNation: In terms of a supporting cast, what's his offensive line like? Seven Cougars WRs are averaging more than 40 receiving yards per game. How balanced of an attack through the air does this team utilize?
WazzuWatch: Losing Dillard, last season’s starting left tackle and a first round NFL Draft pick by the Philadelphia Eagles, was expected to be a huge loss, and that’s the way it has played out.
Liam Ryan kicked outside from left guard to left tackle, but he has struggled at times with ill-timed penalties and ineffective play. Except for Dillard, the other four OL starters from last season all returned.
Having seven WRs with 40+ receiving yards per game is exactly what Leach wants. His definition of a ‘balanced offense’ is different from most coaches. Leach views balance as distributing the football equally to all four WR positions plus the running back, which plays a pivotal role in the passing game.
Seven WRs with 20+ receptions on the season is exactly what Leach wants to see. One of the fundamental concept of the Air Raid is forcing the defense to cover the entire width of the field and account for all five positions eligible to catch the football on any play.
CUSportsNation: On the defensive side of things, could you give me a nutshell assessment? How well does Washington State pressure enemy QBs and what's the secondary looking like?
WazzuWatch: It’s been a struggle for the Washington State defense in the first six games, and those struggles were likely a major factor in Tracy Claeys’ decision more than two weeks ago to resign his position of defensive coordinator.
From the beginning of the season, poor tackling and the inability to stop the run have been glaring weaknesses. More recently, the failure to create turnovers and surrendering explosive plays have popped up as red flags. WSU hasn’t had a takeaway in 10 quarters, while opposing offenses are thriving with big scoring plays.
Last week at Arizona State, WSU allowed scoring plays of 40, 86, 32 and 33 yards on the way to yielding 532 yards, the third straight game the Cougars have allowed 500+ yards. Opposing quarterbacks are completing passes against the WSU defense at the rate of 66 percent. The effort has been so poor that Leach went out of his way to laud the effort from the defense in the loss at Arizona State.
WSU has 12 sacks in 6 games, averaging 2.0 per game. The secondary has been average at best. WSU saw two new starters for the ASU game – Skyler Thomas was moved form nickel to strong safety, while JUCO transfer Daniel Isom started at cornerback last week. Redshirt freshman Patrick Nunn is the new starting nickel.
CUSportsNation: On paper, Washington State with its pass-heavy offense seems among the worst potential matchups for Colorado, which has been known to allow big plays through the air and is injury-plagued / young in the secondary. How do you see this one playing out and what do you gather in terms of player/coaches expectations of facing Colorado?
WazzuWatch: Considering the problems both teams have had on defense, I expect a high-scoring game. WSU should definitely be able to move the football against the CU defense. Wide receiver is arguably the deepest position on WSU, so the CU secondary will have its hands full. But the CU offense should have some success against the WSU defense as well.
Both teams could get into the 30s in terms of points. Team with the ball last wins? Possibly.
CUSportsNation: Score prediction?
WazzuWatch: WSU is playing at home, so I give the edge to the Cougars in this one. I predict WSU wins 38-30.
