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Washington State football needs to take seemingly-hapless UCLA seriously

By Jake Mitchell

HOUSTON, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 13: Head coach Mike Leach of the Washington State Cougars questions a penalty with had linesman Jon Stablie during the second quarter against the Houston Cougars during the Texas Kickoff at NRG Stadium on September 13, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 13: Head coach Mike Leach of the Washington State Cougars questions a penalty with had linesman Jon Stablie during the second quarter against the Houston Cougars during the Texas Kickoff at NRG Stadium on September 13, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /
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Washington State football is rolling as they get ready play host to 0-3 UCLA. Is there any chance for an upset by the Bruins over the Cougars?

Through the first quarter of the season, one of the sport’s biggest revelations has been Washington State quarterback Anthony Gordon. He’s already thrown for 1,324 yards and 12 touchdowns, and he’s completing 78.7 percent of his throws.

This shouldn’t have been surprising. Mike Leach has done this same thing before. Turning unknown passers into stars is a Leach signature. Before last year, no one knew the name Gardner Minshew. He led the country in passing last year, and has now taken over the NFL (at the very least, he’s having his Lin-sanity moment).

The Cougars now turn the focus to UCLA. The Bruins are 0-3, and they’ve struggled mightily on the offensive side of the ball. Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson is only completing 54 percent of his throws, and most of this unit’s stats are of a similar, inefficient nature.

Date: Saturday, Sep. 21
Time: 10:30 p.m. ET
Location: Pullman, Wash.
Venue: Martin Stadium
TV: ESPN
Live Stream: WatchESPN

Keys to Victory

The Cougars just have to avoid turnovers and play their brand of football. UCLA is still far away from being able to beat good football teams, and that’s exactly what Washington State is.

For the Bruins to pull the upset, it obviously comes down to the upset essentials. To shorten the game and take the crowd out of the game, they will employ Demetric Felton and Joshua Kelley, who are averaging 4.3 and 3.2 yards per carry, respectively. To force turnovers, the Bruins have to hope that this Gordon hot streak has been an aberration.

Betting Odds

Odds courtesy of Bovada

Spread: Washington State -19
Over/Under: 67

Prediction

The Cougars weakness, at least so far, has been the rush defense. Of course, when you play a team in UCLA that doesn’t throw the ball well, you have a pretty good idea of what’s coming at you. Washington State should load the box to make up for that weakness, and not suffer much at all through the air.

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No matter what cracks you can find the Cougar armor, it’s tough to expect the Bruins to take advantage.

Score: Washington State 49, UCLA 13

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