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PULLMAN – Say what you will about Washington State’s offense.

PULLMAN – Here is what to watch for when Washington State completes its regular-season slate with a home matchup against Oregon State, set for 3:30 p.m. Saturday on The CW.

PULLMAN – Back in August, when the heat was still sweltering and the sun was still beaming down on Washington State’s practice field, Josh Meredith opened up a little. Headed into this season, he was taking things a little personally, he said. He was tired of a certain perception that followed him around, that he was nothing more than a slot receiver who could find soft spots in zone defenses.

PULLMAN – Mason McCormick sat in Jimmy Rogers’ office in Brookings, the small town in South Dakota where a dynasty was unfolding beneath their feet. It was November 2020, and due to the coronavirus pandemic, their South Dakota State team was idle. They went on to play a spring season, but as the virus ravaged the world, the Jackrabbits had some time this fall.

As Washington State’s regular season nears its end, as coach Jimmy Rogers’ debut season sunsets, the Cougars have all but scrapped practicing tackling. At least in the most physical ways.

If Washington State’s offense reaches the next step, if the Cougars snap out of the second-half lulls and the stagnant runs and the occasional turnover to beat Oregon State and earn bowl eligibility this weekend, Jimmy Rogers thinks it will look something like this.

CORVALLIS — In his typical wide stance behind the podium, Robb Akey performed all of his necessary duties as Oregon State interim coach Monday: refuse to commit to a starting quarterback, speak congenially with the media, and set the narrative for the week to come.

PULLMAN – Washington State will likely play a second game against Oregon State with a depleted offensive line.

PULLMAN – Here is a first look at Washington State’s home game against Oregon State on Saturday.

Welcome to the Hotline’s weekly assessment of the eight teams in the rebuilt Pac-12 that imagines them competing in the conference this season. (We’ll even recognize one lucky team as the regular-season champion.) The power rankings will be published each Sunday throughout the regular season.

PULLMAN – In the days leading up to Washington State’s final game of the season, a road test against a surging James Madison team, it felt fair to wonder about what the next step for Jimmy Rogers’ team was.