WSU football: A tale of two seasons

The Washington State Cougars football team has had a tumultuous 2023 season. After starting the year 3-0, the Cougars have lost three straight games, including a heartbreaking overtime loss to the Arizona Wildcats last week.

So, what's going on with WSU football? Here's a look at some of the factors that have contributed to the team's recent struggles:

Injuries: The Cougars have been hit hard by injuries this season, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Several key players have missed games, including star linebacker Jahad Woods and safety Jalen Thompson.
Turnovers: WSU has committed 10 turnovers in its three losses this season. That's an average of more than three turnovers per game, which is simply too many for any team to overcome.
Lack of execution: The Cougars have also struggled to execute on offense and defense at times this season. They've made too many mistakes, such as dropped passes, missed tackles, and penalties.

Despite their recent struggles, the Cougars are still in a position to win the Pac-12 North title and make a bowl game. They have a talented roster, and they're playing in a relatively weak division. But they need to clean up their play if they want to achieve their goals.

Here are some things the Cougars need to do to get back on track:

Get healthy: The Cougars need to get their injured players back on the field as soon as possible. Woods and Thompson are two of the best players on the team, and their absence has been a major factor in WSU's recent struggles.
Protect the football: The Cougars need to stop turning the ball over. They've committed too many turnovers this season, and it's cost them games.
Execute better: The Cougars need to execute better on offense and defense. They need to make fewer mistakes, such as dropped passes, missed tackles, and penalties.

If the Cougars can do these things, they have the potential to be a very good team. They have a talented roster, and they're playing in a relatively weak division. But they need to get healthy, protect the football, and execute better if they want to achieve their goals.