3 things to watch

1

Thin is back in: The Cougars had just reached a point at which depth didn’t seem to be as much of a concern on the defensive line – and then things got messy again last week. Feveae’i Ahmu is out for at least a month with a broken foot, putting Aaron Johnson back in the starting lineup. But Johnson will probably be limited all season by a bulging disc.

The number of snaps Johnson can play today and beyond will be key for the Cougars, who will often have to resort to a 3-4 alignment if Johnson isn’t healthy enough to play. How the rotation at tackle works will end up determining WSU’s entire scheme against the run, and today’s game will be a big first test.

2

Where’s Mkristo? While the Cougars struggle to keep fresh bodies on the field inside, Mkristo Bruce figures to have a chance to terrorize Oregon State from the outside. Bruce has eight sacks on the season and the Cougars have taken to moving him from side to side to try and get more favorable matchups.

Bruce normally anchors the right side of the defensive line, but with Oregon State right tackle Josh Linehan out with an injury, WSU might try playing Bruce more often on the left to take advantage of the injury. 3

Protecting the football: Oregon State was not good at forcing turnovers last season, but managed to do so against the Cougars. The Cougars have turned the ball over 10 times in five games this season, but have fumbled an alarming 15 times over that stretch. (WSU has recovered nine of those fumbles.)