Washington State Cougars: Keys To The Season, Top Game, Top Transfer, Fun Stats
Washington State Cougars: Key To The 2022 Offense
Be Washington State again throwing the ball.
No one’s asking for a return to the Mike Leach era of winging it all over the place with the occasional 500-yard passing day, but the offense could use some more 300-yard performances – there was just one last year – and fewer mistakes after giving up 13.
The offensive line has to be stronger, the ground game needs to average over four yards per carry, and more drives have to end in scores after struggling in the red zone.
The new parts to the mix, though, need to create a more dynamic attack – they will.
Washington State Cougars: Key To The 2022 Defense
The run defense has to avoid the disaster.
The pass rush has to be better, and more tackles for loss would be nice, but the bigger need is keep the 200-yard rushing games to a bare minimum.
Overall the Wazzu defenses haven’t been too bad against the run over the years, but a few bad games here and there end up screwing everything up.
Last year the run defense allowed a too-high 4.6 yards per carry, and it was wildly inconsistent.
It got gouged by Oregon and, to a point, Arizona, and allowed ten yards to Washington. It got hammered by Oregon State, and then was a brick wall against Stanford.
The Cougars allowed 200 rushing yards or more five times and lost four of them, and they’re 1-8 in their last nine since 2019 when giving up that many.
By the way, there’s a trip to Wisconsin early on.
Washington State Cougars: Key Player To The 2022 Season
OT Grant Stephens, Sr.
The offensive line should be okay. It’s not going to be a killer, and it has to be stronger in pass protection, but the starting five will get the job done if the tackle situation is set.
New Seattle Seahawk Abraham Lucas was the star at right tackle last year, and now 6-4, 295-pound Grant Stephens comes in from Northern Colorado to try working as a key part of the puzzle. As long as he can hold down the job, the other four up front should be set.
Washington State Cougars: Key Transfer
QB Cameron Ward, Soph.
You want your next college football superstar? The 6-3, 220-pound Ward might just be it if he can translate the production from his time at UIW over to Wazzu.
The 6-3, 223-pound FCS start threw for 2,260 yards and 24 touchdowns with four picks two years ago, and last year was even better hitting 65% of his passes for 4,648 yards and 47 touchdowns with ten picks.
He’s a big-time pro prospect with the mobility to go along with the arm and the decision-making ability to make the O explode.
Washington State Key Game To The 2022 Season
Oregon, Sept. 24
Can the Cougars make a big statement in the Pac-12 opener?
They have a road trip to Wisconsin early on, but that’s the only game outside of Washington until the date at USC in Week 6.
The last win over Oregon was in 2018, but that was part of a four-game winning streak in the series – it’s not like the Cougars haven’t been able to get past the power program before.
Pull off the upset, and with Cal coming up next there’s a good chance to be at least 4-1 going into the USC game as a part of three road games in four dates.
Washington State Cougars: 2021 Fun Stats
– Opponent Scoring: 1st-3rd quarters 188. 4th quarter 127
– Fumbles: Opponents 29 (lost 14) – Washington State 11 (lost 5)
– Total Yards: Washington State 4,922 – Opponents 4,904
Offense, Defense Breakdown
Season Prediction, What Will Happen
Top 10 Players | Washington State Schedule & Analysis