College football action on Saturday afternoon and we will see the PAC-12 Conference square off with the Big 10 Conference as the Washington State Cougars invade Camp Randall Stadium to grapple with the Wisconsin Badgers. Washington State took down Idaho by a score of 24-17 in their opener while the Badgers crushed Illinois State by a score of 38-0.
The Badgers lead the all-time series 2-0, but these teams have not meant since 1976.
Yes, the Cougars won their opener against Idaho, but they did so by just seven points, despite being 28-point favorites. A win like that can not instill confidence in a team. The Cougars did go 7-6 last year, but with just 10 starters back from that team, they are expected to struggle this season. Phil Steele has them ranked 6th in the PAC-12 North this year.
Washington State normally has a good offense, but they scored just 27.8 ppg and 27.0 ppg in the last two years and this year could be worse as they have just four starters back on that side of the ball. QB Jayden De Laura is gone after tossing 23 TDs and just nine INTs last year and in steps Cameron Ward, who threw for 4648 yards with 47 TDs and just 10 INTs at Incarnate Word last year. Ward had a decent game against Idaho as he threw for 215 yards with three TDs and no INTs. Now he has to face one of the Best defenses in the Big 10, so we could see him struggle in this one. Nate Watson could be key to the offense after rushing for 117 yards last week on just 18 carries.
If the running game gets going, then it will take some of the pressure off of Ward. The Cougars allowed just 24.2 ppg last year, which is two TDs better than they allowed in 2020. WSU has six starters back on defense and they allowed just 274 yards of total offense against Idaho. The run defense gave up just 62 yards, but it will not be that easy against the 3rd best set of running backs in the nation. Washington State will see a lot of the Wisconsin backs in this one.