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To learn more about the Washington State, BeaversEdge.com caught up with WazzuWatch Publisher Scott Hood, who covers the Cougars.
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1. Sitting at 2-3 overall and 1-2 in the Pac-12, what’s your overall assessment of Washington State this year?
Scott Hood: Most analysts predicted Washington State would finish no higher than fourth in the Pac-12 North, with most forecasting a fifth or sixth-place finish, so the current 2-3 record is about right. The losses to USC and Utah weren't unexpected.
The opening game loss to Utah State caught some people by surprise, as well as the margin of victory at Cal last weekend. However, the No. 1 story surrounding the Cougars so far in 2021 hasn't been anything that's happened on the field.
It's been Nick Rolovich's vaccination status. Rolovich announced in July that he was not vaccinated against Covid, and so far he's stuck to his guns. He's declined to answer reporter's questions about it, citing privacy reasons.
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2. What were the Cougars able to do right in the win over Cal compared to the prior two losses to Utah & USC?
SH: "Since allowing 447 yards in a 45-14 home loss to USC on Sept. 18, the Washington State defense has played much better. They allowed 98 fewer yards the following week in a 24-13 loss at Utah.
Last week, the Cougars stifled the Cal offense, limiting the Bears to just 273 total yards in a 21-6 win at Berkeley. Right now, the WSU defense is playing its best football of the Rolovich Era. Defensive coordinator Jake Dickert deserves a lot of credit for finally getting the defense pointed in the right direction."
