Meet the Cougars

This is the first in a thirteen part series (hopefully) previewing each of the Badgers' opponents.

Overview: The Cougars return 12 starters from a team that finished 6-6 in 2006. Washington State was 6-3 through its first 9 games and ranked at #25 (losing to Auburn, USC and Cal), but lost their last three to Arizona, ASU and Washington and fell out of bowl contention.

Offense: WSU had the number 5 ranked offense in the Pac-10 last year, averaging 23 points per game. Even though it averaged more than 3 TDs per game, the 2006 version of the offense disappointed after the 2005, 2003, 2002 and 2001 offenses averaged at least 30 points per game.

Senior QB Alex Brink leads the offense, throwing for almost 2,900 yards with a 2-to-1 TD to INT ratio. Brink is the latest in a line of gun-slinging Cougars, following in the footsteps of Drew Bledsoe, Ryan Leaf and Mark Rypien. WSU threw the ball 60% of the time last year. Expect the same in 2007.

Because of Brink and his receivers, WSU had the Pac-10's best passing offense, averaging over 265 yards per game and 16 yards per pass. The Cougars return 3 of their top 5 receivers from last year, including Brandon Gibson, who led the team with 731 yards and 4 TDs. The Cougars should feature a lot of 3 and even 4 wide receiver sets, which will test any opponent that doesn't have quality depth in its defensive backfield.

The Cougar running attack will play second fiddle to the air show. Sophomore Dwight Tardy rushed for 667 yards and 4 TDs in 2006 and consequently the Cougars had the Pac-10's third worst rushing attack. The Cougars game plan is to keep defenses from blitzing every down by running the ball approximately 40% of the time.

Washington St. returns three offensive lineman from a unit that allowed 29 sacks (6.7% of the passing attempts). The offensive line suffered from a rash of injuries last year and only one offensive lineman started all 12 games. Expect the unit to be improved assuming they can stay healthy.

Defense: WSU had the 6th best Pac-10 defense last year, giving up an average of 23 points and 361 yards per game in 2006. The strength of the 2007 D should be the defensive line, with the LB and DB units ranking near the bottom of the Pac-10.

The Cougar D returns three defensive lineman, one linebacker and its free safety. WSU was burned for 293, 177 and 196 rushing yards by Auburn, California and Arizona St., respectively, in 2006. Such gaudy numbers will have PJ Hill and Lance Smith licking their chops.

Not to be outdone, WSU's defensive backfield allowed half of its 2006 opponents to pass for more than 250 yards. The low points were giving up 367 and 266 passing yards to Oregon and ASU. The D has nowhere to go but up in 2007.

Special teams: The kicker and punter return to lead a special teams unit that was generally considered to be ranked in the bottom half of the league. The Cougars' kicker hit 3 of 3 attempts last year and the punter averaged 41.4 per punt. The returners averaged only 17 yards on kick returns and 6 yards on punt returns.

Summary: Washington State has a generally followed the same game plan year after year: Pass on first, second and third down and hope for the best on defense. Expect the passing attack to test Wisconsin's athletically talented by unproven safeties. Coach Hank should have Shane Carter and Aubrey Pleasant ready for the challenge