NFL
By: Brock Vierra
If this was five weeks ago and someone told you that Washington State and Jake Dickert might not be together at the end of the season, you’d call me a liar. Well, that’s the case for the Cougars who are in the midst of a four-game losing streak as frustrations in Pullman continue to arise. With a winnable game at home against Stanford, a loss could spell the end for Jake Dickert.
New Day, Same Problems
If you read my Jake Dickert is Failing article before the start of the season, I identified several key elements that contributed to his abysmal 2022 season and what would plague the team in 2023. Poor offensive production, poor replacement of departing players, and an inability to beat teams at or below their level. Well, it seemed after a hot start to the season with ranked wins over Wisconsin and Oregon State, Dickert had fixed those problems. The offense was putting up insane numbers, transfers like Kyle Williams were playing well and they were beating teams at every level. Then they played UCLA.
With potent pass rusher Laiatu Latu, D’Anton Lynn’s UCLA Bruins defense built the blueprint for how to stop the Cougars offense. He designed pass rushes that put Cam Ward under pressure while dropping 7 or 8 defenders into coverage. He put together a nickel defense that plugged up running lanes, limiting Nakia Watson to 25 rushing yards that also picked off Ward twice. The Cougars haven’t recovered or evolved since.
Arizona exposed how much Jake Dickert has lost the team
Arizona off the heels of a near upset over USC in Los Angeles took their Pacific coast tour north to the sacred grounds of the Palouse. The Cougars, fresh off of the UCLA loss looked to outgun the high-flying, passing attack of the Wildcats as we the fans looked forward to another great night of Pac-12 after dark.
With Arizona starting a backup QB, Washington State’s defense must have felt a bit of relief. The relief turned into an awful reality of touchdowns. Noah Fifita, that backup QB, well he has an arm and a high school friendship with star WR Tetairoa McMillian. Fifita went 34/43 for 342 yards as the Wildcats had five rushing touchdowns. McMillian had 7 receptions for 68 yards. Dickert’s defense got exposed and the offensive response of six points was pathetic. A shocking result.
What Does The Future Hold?
I don’t know. Washington State finds itself one of two remaining members of the Pac-12, the coaching outlook that was once so bright now looks dim and the Cougars race towards another average year. Is Jake Dickert the answer? Well, I answer that question with another question. If not Dickert, then who? Outside of Mike Leach and Mike Price, Washington State’s head coaching record doesn’t exactly scream success.
I don’t know where AD Pat Chun wants to go but it’s clear that a course has not been set. These remaining weeks may tell us the truth about the future for Washington State and Jake Dickert but if I know one true thing, it is that the potentially final Apple Cup will decide Dickert’s fate. I think if he loses to Stanford, there’s a possibility he gets the can but the importance of the Apple Cup might be enough to save him.
Who knows what will happen but it’s clear that the Cougars have not adapted to the times. NIL, the transfer portal, and conference realignment have all gone against the Cougars. Washington State is in an isolated place right now and these games will tell us if Jake Dickert is the reason why. With Stanford catching some momentum of late, the Cardinal are no pushover. Will Jake Dickert be?
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