Three bold predictions for Washington State vs. Arizona State

Welcome back, Coug fans. How’d you spend your bye week? Let’s hope our Washington State Cougars spent theirs working on tackling techniques, lining up in the right spot on defense, and adjusting to the new defensive coordinators. Today’s game against the Arizona Sun Devils kind of feels like a make or break game, where a win could propel the team forward with confidence and momentum, and a loss could send them spiraling. The schedule doesn’t get any easier the second half of the season.

I’m really interested in how the retooled defense looks today. Will the position switches work? Do the players need more time to adjust? Who knows!

We’ve spent so much time talking about the defense the past few weeks, it’s easy to forget WSU has a terrific offense. Anthony Gordon and Co. didn’t play all that well against a good Utah Utes team in the rain, but we all know what this offense is capable of.

Make sure you read Craig’s preview on the Sun Devils. The teams haven’t met since 2016, and a lot has changed in Tempe since then. Jesse has a must-read scouting report on ASU’s defense, which might not be quite as good as its ranking.

And don’t forget: Arizona State has a Tough Guy running his mouth.

OK, let’s get bold!

Three Bold Predictions

1. WSU races out to a 21-0 lead after the first quarter.
2. The Turd Quarter returns and ASU outscores WSU 17-3.
3. WSU wins with its defense forcing exactly three turnovers, and Mike Leach mentions in the postgame how clean, tough and healthy his receivers are.

I just have a feeling, you guys.

Links

After a bye week and lots of change, Washington State’s defense aims to get back on track against Arizona State | The Spokesman-Review
Before Roc Bellantoni’s group interview in Pullman on Wednesday – not his first, but his first as Washington State’s interim defensive coordinator – the man who’ll be making the tough decisions for the defense going forward briefly pivoted away from football.

Arizona State to take on new-look Washington State defense
The Washington State defensive is undergoing a transition as it prepares to face ASU.

ASU has positioned itself as a contender, but can the Sun Devils survive living on the edge? – The Athletic
Arizona State has improved over the past month, but a division title? The Sun Devils have more work to do.

College football schedule, games 2019: What to watch in Week 7, TV channels, Saturday kickoff times - CBSSports.com
Big games in the SEC, Big 12 and Big Ten headline a massive week in college football

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