NFL
The first matchup between Washington State and the Mountain West this season, Wazzu and San Jose State promises to be a display of offensive innovation and a desire for both teams to cement their place within the landscape of college football.
Let’s talk Washington State Vs. San Jose State
For Washington State and head coach Jake Dickert, the narrative on his tenure was rewritten last week when the Cougars secured the Apple Cup against arch rival Washington. In a game played at Lumen Field, it was Dickert’s second triumph in the rivalry and his second win over Washington in Seattle.
With the victory, Dickert became the first head man since Bill Doba to record multiple wins in the series for the Cougs.
Quarterback John Mateer has proven himself not only as his own player but as a player who is much more suited for the Ben Arbuckle offense than Cam Ward due to his ability to run and his desire to gain yards by all means necessary. Though he may not have the accuracy of Ward, Mateer has that x-factor that has propelled Washington State to back to back victories over P5 non-conference opponents.
Kyle Williams continues to be one of the most underrated receivers in the college football. The former UNLV transfer has been a star in Pullman for the past couple of years and remains a dynamic playmaker for the Cougars. He is as important to Wazzu as Nick Nash has been to San Jose State and Nash like Williams has been lighting up scoreboards week in and week out.
San Jose State’s spread and shred offense has launched the Spartans to one of their most prolific starts to a season in years. Averaging 30 points a game, Craig Stutzmann’s offense takes a little piece out of the various spread offenses throughout history to exploit defenses. A little bit of the Run N Shoot, Air Raid and Spread Option, Stutzmann uses passing concepts to create favorable matchups for his playmakers to exploit.
When I spoke to tight ends coach Mike Judge earlier this year, he stated that the role of his tight ends would be an “evolutionary process” that allows them to be deployed in a variety of ways. While TE Jackson Canaan was not on the receiving end of many targets against Kennesaw State and Sacramento State, he was critical in the Spartans’ win over Air Force with 3 receptions for 88 yards and a touchdown. Expect him to be heavily involved in the offense this week.
Defensively, both teams have been incredibly effective. San Jose State has averaged only 13.6 points given up on defense per game while Washington State has averaged 21.6. However that number is a big skewed as Washington State played a bunch of their backups when Sacramento State scored 30. Against Texas Tech and Washington, Wazzu has averaged 17.5 points given up. Wazzu is also coming off of a goal line stand that secured them the Apple Cup.
Despite that, expect an offensive shootout. Nash and Williams might break the combined record for most receiving yards in a game but it will be John Mateer’s feet that decides this game. I got the Cougars 56-35.
