Washington State has been searching for a break for nearly two months, and Saturday night may finally hand it one.
Colorado State was supposed to arrive in Pullman on Friday evening, but a nationwide flight grounding left the Rams stuck in the Fort Collins area and scrambling like everyone else caught in the travel mess. That delay only adds to what already looks like a favorable setup for the Cougars, who are trying to pick up their first FBS win of the season.
The matchup itself points in Washington State’s direction even without the travel chaos. Colorado State is bringing the nation’s worst defense in several major categories, and that gives the Cougars a real chance to get their offense moving again after failing to complete a comeback against San Diego State on Halloween night.
The numbers on the Rams are rough. They rank last in scoring defense at 45 points allowed per game, last in total defense at 542 yards per game, second-to-last in third-down conversion defense at 54%, and last in yards per play at 8. Opponents have put up 41, 59, 56, 66, 49, 31 and 64 points against them, a big reason Colorado State has lost six of its last seven.
That kind of defense could be exactly what Washington State and quarterback Owen Eshelman need. The Cougars’ rushing attack should have a chance to look a little better, and if that happens, it could open the door for Eshelman against a Rams secondary that has been giving up 11 yards per pass, dead last in the country.
In Other News...
Washington State's Saturday Build-Up Just Got Caught In A Travel Mess
A nationwide FAA ground stop on Friday evening threw a wrench into the travel plans for several college football teams heading into Week 11, and Washington States opponent was among the programs caught in the mess. Colorado State ended up stranded on the tarmac and even held an impromptu walkthrough outside its plane while waiting for clearance to fly, a reminder of how quickly a routine game-week trip can turn into a scramble.
The Rams still have until Saturday night for their scheduled kickoff against Washington State, so there is time for the trip to get back on track. Even so, any delay adds another layer of uncertainty to a week that is already built around preparation, recovery and getting the details right before a road game. [Read more 🡒]
Washington State Got Its First Win But Left Fans With A Debate
Washington State finally got into the win column with a 123-87 victory over Northwest University, and the box score offered plenty for Cougars fans to like. The offense came out firing, the team built a 69-42 halftime lead, and six different players finished in double figures in a performance that suggested there is real scoring depth on this roster.
Still, the celebration came with a familiar caveat for a fan base that has been waiting to see cleaner basketball. The Cougars were loose enough defensively in the second half to let the NAIA opponent hang around on the scoreboard, giving up 87 points and 14 made 3-pointers. For a team trying to build momentum after its first win of the season, the debate now is whether the offensive burst was the start of something or just the easy part of the night. [Read more 🡒]
Washington State Gets A Rare Chance To Fix Its Biggest Problem
Washington State enters this matchup with a rare opening to clean up the part of its season that has caused the most frustration. The Cougars are still searching for their first FBS win, and the timing could hardly be better against a Colorado State defense that has been near the bottom of the national rankings in several categories. For a Washington State offense that has struggled to find rhythm and has had to manage injury concerns, this is the kind of game that can either provide a reset or deepen the questions.
Colorado States trip to Pullman was also complicated by travel delays tied to the nationwide FAA flight grounding, adding another layer of uncertainty to a game already carrying plenty of weight for both sides. Washington State does not need style points so much as a cleaner, more complete performance, and the Rams defensive issues give the Cougars a chance to finally show some progress. The challenge now is turning that opportunity into something tangible when the game actually gets underway. [Read more 🡒]