This weekend the Washington State Cougars (4-2) (2-1) will take on the Oregon State Beavers (4-1) (2-0) in a conference game that has big implications for the rest of the season. The winner of this game will have half a season to get another win and become bowl eligible.
Oregon State’s only loss of the season comes from Eastern Washington, an FCS opponent who won the FCS National Championship in 2010.
Both the Cougars and the Beavers are coming off conference wins last weekend.
Here are 5 keys for the Cougars to come away with a win
1. Secondary
Aug 31, 2013; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers running back Tre Mason (21) is tackled by Washington State Cougars safety Deone Bucannon (20) at Jordan Hare Stadium. The Tigers defeated the Cougars 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports
Sean Mannion is a very good passing quarterback, ranking first in the nation in total passing yards with 2,018, Halliday is in third with 25 yards less than Mannion – 1,993 yards. The secondary is going to have their hands full this weekend with the Beavers passing attack. Mannion has only thrown for 2 interceptions on the year so he doesn’t miss much. The big time play we have seen out of the Cougars defense will have to improve that performance this weekend and will have to show up ready to play.
Mannion, who averages 403.6 yards per game is 160 of 238 attempts (67.2%) and has 21 touchdowns with 2 interceptions, has had his best games, passing wise – throwing for 400+ passing yards, against Eastern Washington, Utah, and Colorado. The Washington State secondary has had 9 interceptions so far this year, tied for 7th and stands alone in 2nd with 230 yards off those interceptions. The secondary will have to get in the receivers face and stop them from helping Mannion out with passing yards.