WSU Cougars vs Rutgers Scarlet Knights – Preview

With Washington State and Rutgers getting ready to play their first game of the season I will take a look at some of their stats from last year. Both the Cougars and the Scarlet Knights are looking to return to a bowl game again this season after both losing in their respective bowl games.

More from Washington State Football

• Washington State Cougars: An Apple Cup Preview
• Washington State Football: Best Bets for Rivalry Weekend
• Washington State Football: Week 12 Bowl Projections
• Washington State Football: Daiyan Henley named Finalist for Butkus Award
• Washington State Football: A Trip South, and why it’s “personal”

Rutgers has struggled with their pass defense but has excelled in their run defense which matches up perfectly for Washington State as they have struggled with their run game while excelling in the pass game.

Both teams starting quarterbacks will be returning for another year. Rutgers quarterback, Gary Nova, was sat for the last few games of the season last year after struggling with trowing interceptions. Nova may have thrown less interceptions that Connor Halliday but Halliday threw for almost 5,000 yards last season finishing 3rd in all of college football.

One thing that stood out to me was the lack of wins that Rutgers opponents had last season. Their opponents combined record went .500 on the year but when you take an even more in depth look at it you will see that of the teams they beat the combined record was 17-54. Going even deeper  you will see that of those 17 wins, 11 were against FBS teams.

Below you will find a table showing more in depth of the stats breakdown.