Washington State Football: Can Cougars finally win Pac-12 in 2019?

Can Gardner Minshew really be replaced?

Gardner Minshew had one of the best passing seasons in Pac-12 history last year. The conference’s offensive player of the year is now a Jacksonville Jaguar, and the quarterback competition rages on as the Cougars look to find a replacement.

If there’s one thing Mike Leach can always get positive production out of, it’s the quarterback position.

All signs point to graduate transfer Gage Gubrud taking over as starting quarterback. He was a record-setting quarterback at Eastern Washington, who in 2016 had over 5,700 total yards and 53 touchdowns on his way to winning Big Sky Offensive Player of the Year.

While stepping up in competition, his overall skill set and fit seems perfect for Washington State, as he has the passing ability to step right into the air raid offense and be one of the best passers in the country. What sets Gubrud apart from earlier quarterbacks in Pullman is his running ability, possibly adding another dimension to an already prolific offense. I expect him to win the job and make a positive impact for the team right away.

Elsewhere on offense, the Cougars boast one of the strongest offensive lines in the country. Andre Dillard went in the first round of the NFL draft, but the other four linemen all return, and led the country in lowest sack rate in 2019 with 1.9 percent. They create a strong pocket where the quarterback can get the ball out quickly.

The receiving corps is also strong as well, as it goes about five deep, led by junior Davontavean Martin, who had eight touchdowns last season. This team will once again be at the top of country in passing by season’s end.