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Three Key WSU Cougars Football Games

By Ben Renner

Nov 14, 2015; Pasadena, CA, USA; Washington State Cougars quarterback Luke Falk (4) celebrates after the NCAA football game against the UCLA Bruins at Rose Bowl. Washington State defeated UCLA 31-27. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 14, 2015; Pasadena, CA, USA; Washington State Cougars quarterback Luke Falk (4) celebrates after the NCAA football game against the UCLA Bruins at Rose Bowl. Washington State defeated UCLA 31-27. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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The WSU Cougars have high expectations for this season under head coach and offensive guru Mike Leach. Which three games will they need to win to contend for a Pac-12 Championship?

The WSU Cougars might not be a trendy favorite to upend Stanford for the Pac-12 North Division title that the Huskies are, but they have a skilled, experienced quarterback in Luke Falk, an exciting true freshman for Falk to throw to in Isaiah Johnson, and a seasoned group of receivers in the Mike Leach offense, including star wideout Gabe Marks.

Falk could end up being the best returning quarterback in the Pac-12 this year. Last season, let’s not forget, Falk racked up 4561 yards, 38 touchdowns, and only threw eight interceptions. He is an NFL-ready quarterback with a productive year in the Leach system already under his belt. The defense, headed by defensive end Hercules Mata’afa and an experienced secondary, will be tough on opposing offenses as well.

But the WSU Cougars have their work cut out for them in the Pac-12 North. Their tough schedule could also be even tougher with several players being cited in a mass-assault case recently. Here are three key games for the WSU Cougars in 2016:

at Boise State. 9/10/16. Albertson’s Stadium. Boise State is an out-of-conference foe that is several seasons removed from its glory days of upsetting Oklahoma and its players proposing to cheerleaders, but it’s an important game for the WSU Cougars because of their loss to perennial doormat Portland State early last season. If the Cougars plan to contend, they’ll have to take care of their non-conference opponents first.

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Oregon. 10/1/2016. Martin Stadium. The first week out of the bye the WSU Cougars will see the Oregon Ducks, who came one game from getting into the Pac-12 Championship last season. While we know the Stanford Cardinal (who the WSU Cougars play the following week) will be circled as a key game for most fans, I chose to highlight the Duck game because it will be the first true test for the Cougars and their high-flying offense. The true mettle of this defense will also be tested against this Ducks squad at home.

Washington. 11/25/16. Martin Stadium. Obviously the Apple Cup is a huge game every year, but this year, with both the Huskies and the WSU Cougars full of Pac-12 Championship ambition, the game could have dire postseason consequences for either team.

Next: Three Key Games for the UW Huskies

The Pac-12 North figures to be a close race this year. The WSU Cougars will have to win these three games to stay in the running by the end of the season.

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