3 things to watch

1

Switching up: Because of injuries last week to defensive tackles Ropati Pitoitua and Aaron Johnson, the Cougars have talked about the need to use their 3-4 alignment more this week against the Bruins. How much more, however, remains a question. What the Cougars decide to do with it could shape the game.

In the past WSU has used the 4-3 first then gone to the 3-4 if a changeup was needed. This week it might have to be the opposite.

2

Kick and a miss: It’s been an ongoing issue all season, but after Loren Langley missed a 31-yard field goal and had an extra point blocked last week, it’ll be important to see how head coach Bill Doba decides to react on fourth-down situations. A few weeks ago, Doba made it clear he would only try for field goals from in close. More recently, as Langley’s accuracy improved, Doba had backed away from that strategy, but he may feel the need to return to it if his junior kicker doesn’t warm up well.

3

How much is too much? The Cougars have been talking big this week, openly discussing the possibility of running the table in these last four regular-season games to get to 9-3. That’s all well and good, but WSU runs the risk of mishandling success, a common phenomenon from teams that are in the midst of a breakthrough.

WSU thinks an early lead could produce great things, but if it comes out of the gate overconfident a formidable opponent in UCLA could turn the tables on the Cougars in a hurry. WSU has to be confident, but at the same time cautious.