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Washington State Football: 2017 season preview, predictions

By Connor Muldowney

(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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SAN DIEGO, CA – DECEMBER 27: Marcellus Pippins #27 and Shalom Luani #18 of the Washington State Cougars tip a pass which was then caught by Shannon Brooks #23 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers for a touchdown during the second half of the Holiday Bowl at at Qualcomm Stadium on December 27, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA – DECEMBER 27: Marcellus Pippins #27 and Shalom Luani #18 of the Washington State Cougars tip a pass which was then caught by Shannon Brooks #23 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers for a touchdown during the second half of the Holiday Bowl at at Qualcomm Stadium on December 27, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

Defense

Washington State was known for its offense a season ago with Luke Falk leading one of the best aerial attacks in the nation, but the defense wasn’t as bad as you may think — excluding the secondary.

The front-seven combined to boast the 29th-best rushing defensive in the country, allowing just 134 yards per game on the ground. There are four returning starters in that group, including potential All-Pac-12 end Hercules Mata’afa. He had 47 tackles, 13.5 for loss and 5.0 sacks as a sophomore. He will be joined by senior tackle Daniel Ekuale and sophomore end Nnamdi Oguayo.

Peyton Pelluer will lead the way at middle linebacker after pacing the team in tackles last season, 93. He’s another potential all-conference performer and will be anchored by fellow senior returning starter, Frankie Luvu.

The line and linebackers are strong and could prove to be a nightmare for opponents.

Nowhere to go but up for secondary

It was a forgettable season for the Washington State secondary in 2016. Not only did the Cougars struggle to slow down opposing passing attacks, but they were the main reason for multiple losses. In fact, you can just go back and check out the early-season losses to Eastern Washington and Boise State.

Eastern Washington passed for nearly 500 yards which led to their upset of the Cougars and Boise State threw for 300. It was a rough start to the year, but the secondary came together in the following weeks. Washington State reeled off eight straight wins before struggling in the final three games — all losses.

Luckily, there are four returning starters in the secondary. Senior cornerback Marcellus Pippins is the only one that may not be projected to start in 2017, though. The rest — Darrien Molton, Robert Taylor and Jalen Thompson — are back as projected starters.

This unit can’t get much worse than its 112th ranking from last season against the pass.

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