Martin Stadium, home of the Washington State Cougars.
Nick Rolovich, Washington State Cougars.
It hasn’t been an easy year for anybody. For both the Washington State Cougars football program and its new head coach Nick Rolovich, 2020 was especially tough.
Former head coach Mike Leach departed the Palouse after an embarrassing loss to Air Force at the Cheez-it Bowl. His successor Rolovich was hired in short order. Unfortunately, the former leader of the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors couldn’t get started working with the team due to COVID-19.
Considering he inherited no quarterbacks on the roster with college experience and a defense in desperate need of repair, the additional downtime certainly didn’t help much. Rolovich and his staff needed to work with players closely to implement new offensive and defensive schemes. There was obvious frustration for all involved, from the coaches to the players, and especially the fans.
Last week, the Pac-12 media picked Wazzu to finish last in the conference’s North Division. It’s easy to see why the Cougs were favorites to occupy the cellar. With a new coaching staff, inexperienced QBs, changes in philosophy on both sides of the ball, and limited practice time, it’s a recipe for a disastrous season. Then again, other conference teamsteams have made staff changes, scheme changes and have had the same lack of practice.
If the other Pac-12 teams think the Cougars will be a pushover in the shortened 2020 season because of this poll, they are in for a rude awakening. It’s a big mistake to overlook Washington State this year.
Travell Harris, Washington State Cougars football.
As mentioned none of WSU’s quarterbacks have taken a snap in a college game. While the group’s lack of experience presents a problem, it’s also a double-edged sword. There is a blank slate for contenders Cammon Cooper, Gunner Cruz, and Jayden de Laura. Learning Rolovich’s run and shoot offense shouldn’t be as much of a problem because none of them ran Leach’s offense in a game. Besides the “run and shoot” isn’t a huge departure from the “air raid” in terms of running with the throttle open.
Despite several departures, the Cougs return some very talented players. The receiver trio of Renard Bell, Travell Harris, and Calvin Jackson Jr. combined for 111 catches, 1,232 yards, and a dozen touchdowns. Then there is Jamire Calvin who redshirted in 2019 but had 42 receptions the year prior. Junior running back Max Borghi is a dual-threat. In 2019 he had 1,414 yards from scrimmage which was third in the conference, 86 receptions (2nd in Pac-12, 11th in FBS), and 16 touchdowns (2nd in Pac-12). Whoever wins the quarterback competition will have a talented and deep set of skill players to work with.
Last year the offensive line, as a group was very young, the majority of them are back this season and with a year of experience under their belts. Second-team All-Pac-12 right tackle Abe Lewis leads the way.
Jahad Woods, Washington State Cougars.
There’s no nice way to put it, Wazzu’s defense was horrible in 2019. They were second to last in the conference, allowing 456.8 yards per game. While the Cougs offense was scoring points through the front door, the defense was giving them up via the back door. The good news is the D should be improved in 2020.
The Cougs return a strong group of linebackers this year. Edge players Ron Stone Jr. and Jahad Woods will increase their sack totals from 2019 under new defensive coordinator Jake Dickert. It’s the other parts of the defense that are in doubt.
If Dickert has the same success at WSU that he had at Wyoming fans should see a huge difference. Stopping the run, an area where the Cougars struggled last year, should get a nice boost. Additionally, new pass coverage packages should help cover a few holes in the secondary. Wazzu’s defensive group must step it up this season. They have some talented players in key spots but It all comes down to execution.
This isn’t Rolovich’s first rodeo as a college head coach. It also isn’t the first time he’s replaced an offensive “mastermind” either. At Hawaii, Rolovich succeeded Norm Chow as head coach. In his four year tenure, he had only one losing season and won two of three bowl games.
Last year the Rainbow Warriors won 10 games under his leadership. His QB Cole McDonald had a very Anthony Gordon-like season. The senior completed 326 passes for 4,135 yards and 33 touchdowns. Rolovich knows his way around the gridiron and how to run a team.
Do you think the Washington State Cougars will finish last in the Pac-12 North? Let us know in the comments section below or on social media.