WSU Vs Arizona State: 5 Keys to a WSU Halloween Win
By Nick Nordi
Oct 12, 2013; Pullman, WA, USA; Washington State Cougars quarterback Connor Halliday (12) drops back for a pass against the Oregon State Beavers at Martin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
This week the Washington State Cougars (4-4, 2-3 Pac-12) will take on the Arizona State Sun Devils (5-2, 3-1 Pac-12) in a Halloween game that could feature something the Sun Devils don’t see very much, the snow.
Since I can’t see into the future, using the weather, if it is snowy and raining, to their advantage this weekend would be a key for the game, but I can’t so it is not a key this week. You can prep for a team but you can’t prep for the weather.
The game this week will be on Thursday night in a Spooky town as the game is being played on Halloween. Here are 5 keys to a WSU victory. I threw in a 6th key this week, but this one isn’t a key for the team, it’s one for the fans.
Turnovers
It seems like this one is constantly on my list of 5 keys to a win, no matter the opponent. The Cougar offense has not been doing well when it comes to keeping the turnover numbers down for their part. The Cougars have 27 turnovers so far this season (19 interceptions and 8 fumbles)
Connor Halliday is still having trouble with throwing to the wrong team but with the bye week this last week you can only assume the coaches tried to smooth that one over. This one doesn’t completely sit on Halliday’s shoulder, the wide receivers and offensive line must step up their game and catch the balls that are being thrown to them and give Halliday the time to get rid of the ball.
The defense is doing their part to win the turnover battle. Last week the Cougars forced Marcus Mariota to turn the ball over twice, before last week Mariota had not turned the ball over this season.