Know the Enemy 2023: Washington State Cougars

A friend answers our questions

credit: calbears.com

We asked our friends over at CougCenter to answer some questions about Utah football for us. Jeff Nusser graciously answered the call to be our go-to expert for the upcoming matchup.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Some answers were edited slightly for clarity. Any additional input provided will be clearly denoted with “WFC:” at the start.

WSU was looking phenomenal after the early portion of the schedule, but they're now in must-win territory for bowl game qualification. Are there injuries to key players or other factors that have contributed to the offensive struggles during the five-game losing streak?

JN: To be perfectly honest, I wish I could point to some injuries or something else tangible that clearly contributed to this mess because that would be far less disconcerting than what has actually happened: This team has actually just completely fallen apart.

There are a few theories as to why it’s happened. Here’s how I’d divvy up the blame pie:

• 20% – They got figured out. Both coordinators were new this year, and both looked really good early as WSU beat a pair of ranked teams in the first four weeks – Wisconsin and Oregon State. Offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle, in particular, was being painted as a wunderkind. That said, both sides of the ball had pretty obvious personnel limitations on the lines, and teams eventually devised plans that could take advantage of those weaknesses. WSU hasn’t been able to counter, even leading Jake Dickert to step in and take over the defensive game planning.

• 30% – They got full of themselves. After beating OSU to move to 4-0, they got a bye week to bask in their glory. UCLA then bludgeoned them in a slugfest in Pasadena. It wasn’t a terrible performance, especially considering the strength of UCLA’s defensive front against our weak pass protection, so it didn’t raise any red flags. Upon returning to Pullman, though, we got the first sign that something might be wrong: A 44-6 drubbing at the hands of Arizona, a team they’ve handled pretty easily in recent years. It was a positively putrid performance, but you could also talk yourself into it being a one-off. More evidence for the one-off theory? They up a pretty good fight at Oregon before succumbing in the second half – no shame in that. What followed was two more duds: at ASU and at home against Stanford. By just about any objective measure, their three worst performances on this streak have come against the three weakest opponents. When there’s really no reasonable football explanation for scoring 13 points combined against Arizona and Stanford at home, unearned arrogance seems like a pretty plausible explanation.

• 50% – They’re distracted by the conference situation. During the course of this season, WSU’s conference fate has grown simultaneously more certain and more uncertain – and I’d argue the certainty is probably doing the most damage. WSU teams have long had a “Cougs Vs. Everybody” attitude, but the mantra took on extra meaning for all the school’s programs this fall. There seemed to be a sense among the players – perhaps encouraged by staff – that if they showed out, the Big 12 would invite them to come on over. Even as football, volleyball, and women’s soccer all were ranked at the end of September with just two losses between them, it became clear that no Big 12 invite was coming. That would be disheartening to anyone, and all three teams have struggled since – even volleyball, which was ranked in the top 10 for a large portion of the season, lost four of five in one stretch. WSU’s pitch to players often is “We know the big programs didn’t want you - come to Pullman and show them all why they were wrong.” But these players now know they won’t be competing at a Power 5 level next season. Are they looking ahead to their next destination? Are they already being contacted by other programs? Are they wondering what the point is anymore? All seems possible.

Conference realignment is unfortunate and we all agree that USC and some Pac-12 execs should be fired into the sun, but what's your next best hope for WSU's conference situation going forward?

JN: At this point, using the word “hope” to describe any possible scenario is just silly. There’s no hope for anything other than a devastating outcome here. The school’s president has said as much. The best of the horrible outcomes is that WSU and OSU prevail in court to take control of the conference’s assets, they stay afloat for two years with a largely MWC schedule that includes some P5 road games to entice players to stick around, and the Big 12 eventually invites them. Even in this best-case scenario irreparable damage will have already been done.

It should be noted that this is extremely unlikely, anyway. The next “best” thing is that the rest of college football falls apart with further consolidation, and as more have-nots get left behind, WSU and OSU can band together with them in a tier between the Blue Bloods and the G5.

All these options suck. I’m very depressed about it all! 

What's the general assessment of Jake Dickert? Do you feel like he has a good recruiting philosophy (i.e., strong efforts to recruit the Bay Area)? Or, is there some concern that his rising status amongst the coaching ranks has contributed to the team's woes?

JN: We were all-in on the Dickert hype train, but this streak has us questioning everything. Does Dickert bear some responsibility for the stuff laid out above? Certainly, the first two items are within his control, and that’s at least half the issue. He was so good so early, particularly with culture, that it was easy to forget his relative youth and inexperience. He hadn’t even been a coordinator for very long before getting the gig, and it sure looks like this moment has been just a little bit too big for him. That’s not necessarily his fault, and it doesn’t mean I want him gone. It just means that he’s also been part of the problem. 

Which player on offense should Cal fans know about?

JN: It’s all about quarterback Cam Ward. When he’s good, we’re good. When he stinks, we stink. And it’s hard to predict when you’re going to get Good Cam and when you’re going to get Bad Cam. It’s usually obvious early on.

If we do get Good Cam, the next guy to look at is receiver Lincoln Victor. He is a real matchup issue for opponents and is Cam’s favorite target – he set a school record with 16 receptions against Oregon on 20(!) targets. He’ll move all over the formation, and Cal will have to know where he is. 

Which player on defense should Cal fans know about?

JN: Ron Stone Jr. is the team’s best pass rusher, but his ability to get pressure has come and gone throughout the year. He can be a difference-maker when he’s on one. I’d also point you to cornerback Chau Smith-Wade, who is really damn good.

Who’s one under-the-radar or X-factor player who could swing this game for you?

JN: Kicker Dean Janikowski. (No relation.) If this game has typical Cal/WSU vibes, the kicker probably is going to make a big difference. He’s a good one! (Missed kick against Stanford last week notwithstanding.)

What does Wazzu need to do to win the game?

JN: I haven’t talked about the most important thing: Limit Jadyn Ott. The Cougs’ interior rush defense has generally been awful, and I expect he’ll have a field day. If they can somehow get him to the ground within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage, I have to think that would make a pretty big difference! 

What does Cal need to do to win the game?

JN: Bring out Bad Cam with pressure that makes him antsy.

How do you see the game going?

JN: I can’t see WSU winning against anyone right now. It could happen, but we’re down bad – I’ll say 38-27 Cal.

We don't condone violence at W4C, but we like this question as an opportunity for folks to air it out. Whom do you most want to punch in the face?

JN: UW president Ana Mari Cauce, whose decision to jump the Big Ten caused Oregon to jump to the Big Ten which caused Utah, Arizona, and Arizona State to jump to the Big 12.

There’s a special place in hell for everyone at Washington that was involved in this decision.