Washington State Cougars:
Jake Dickert does not enter 2024 on a hot seat, but the chair could start to get warm if the season gets away from Washington State. The Cougars are just 15-14 under Dickert and they have not won more than seven games in a season. This year, only 10 starters are back and a competition is underway at quarterback. Washington State plays a Mountain West schedule, but it is not far and away better than the competition it faces this season.
Offense
Cam Ward transferred to Miami, leaving a hole at the most important position. Last year’s backup – John Mateer – will compete with Bryant transfer Zevi Eckhaus for the job. Mateer appeared in six contests last season for the Cougars. He threw for 235 yards on 20 dropbacks and averaged 13.8 yards per attempt. Eckhaus accounted for 3,260 total yards and 28 touchdowns last season at Bryant. Neither had a real lead for the job coming out of spring, according to local media.
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The strength of this unit will be the offensive line with four starters back at the position. It is the position group with the most continuity. The top two receivers from last season and the leading rusher departed in the offseason.
Despite having a coveted quarterback like Ward under center, this team was very poor on offense last season. The Cougars ranked 100th in EPA per play and averaged 5.9 yards per play. Their running game was non-existent, as the team totaled less than 800 yards rushing for the season. Given the loss of production from that group, it is hard to see much improvement from Washington State on this side of the ball in 2024.
Defense
Washington State quietly put together a strong season in 2023 on defense. The team finished 42nd in opponent EPA per play and 25th in opponent EPA per dropback. This year figures to be a down year for the Cougars, as only four starters are back.
The biggest weakness for Washington State this season is most likely going to be its pass defense. The team’s two best pass rushers – Brennan Jackson and Ron Stone – are gone. So too is the entire starting secondary. Dickert added some pass rushers in the portal, but what was this team’s biggest strength last season will take a massive step back.
Five of the top six players at linebacker return, but with the losses along the defensive line this team won’t improve much – if at all – against the run. Washington State allowed 4.3 yards per carry and 151 yards per game in 2023 and will likely give up similar figures this season.
Outlook
The win total for Washington State is 7.5 shaded to the Over, but that seems strong for a team losing as much as it did from a five-win team a season ago. The Cougars are playing a Mountain West schedule, but this schedule is hardly a cakewalk. Washington State must host Texas Tech and go to Seattle to face Washington in the non-conference portion of its schedule. The Cougars also draw road trips to Boise State, Fresno State and Oregon State. They must also host Wyoming. Perhaps the market perceives a gap between the former Pac-12 team and the Mountain West, but if it does that would be a flawed way to look at this season for Wazzu.
Pick: Under 7.5 Wins
