Gameday: Beavers must slow Cougars’ passing attack

The Cougars have had an up and down start to the season, losing their home opener to Portland State in week one, and then beating Oregon in Autzen last week.

During overreaction Sunday and Monday that always follows opening day in college football, the only thing that kept most Cougars from jumping off a tall building or a cliff is the fact that there aren’t any of either in Pullman. Cougars quarterback Luke Falk leads the Pac-12 in passing, racking up 392.8 yards per game while tossing 15 touchdowns compared to just two interceptions.

That’s because the Cougars like to sling the ball all over the field under coach Mike Leach.

It’s also officially Homecoming weekend in Palouse, not just the return home after the back to back road trips the Cougs have made, so the Crim Zone will be packed and rocking. The Beavers were blown out of Tucson in 90+ degree heat that produced field temperatures above 120 degrees last Saturday, getting routed 44-7 by Arizona, after the ‘Cats ran off 31 unanswered points after Oregon State had gotten within 13-7. But while the passing game is still the Cougars’ bread and butter, they are actually running it more effectively (82 yards per game) than in past years.

And while WSU’s offensive coaches are familiar with Andersen and Sitake, OSU’s 2015 schedule hasn’t helped much in terms of scouting.

THE SERIES: This is the 100th game in the series, which Washington State leads 49-47-3.

First-year Oregon State coach Gary Andersen hasn’t coached against Leach but has heard about his offense and seen it on tape.

Andersen was coach at Utah State when Falk was growing up in Logan, and knew the future WSU quarterback well.

WSU, meanwhile, is coming off a thrilling 45-38 double-overtime victory at Oregon.

Oregon State has won the last 3 games contested in Pullman, and has won as the road team 4 times in a row, including the 2011 win in Seattle. If the Cougars, who rank fourth in the Pac-12 with 2.8 sacks per game, can get after Collins and force him into a few mistakes early in the game, he likely won’t recover.

Indeed, there’s been something notable about nearly every recent renewal of the Northwest Land Grant rivalry.

The Beavers don’t figure to be overwhelmed by WSU’s pass attack. Wazoo has averaged 56 passes to 24 rushes per game this season. While Villamin’s numbers are depressed by OSU’s anemic passing offense, the sophomore proved himself to be a capable player as freshman last season catching passes from Sean Mannion, and his ability to put together a big game was evident in a 138-yard performance against Stanford.

The focus for Washington State will be not falling to the level of its opponent, which team members have admitted has been a problem this season, case in point against Portland State, and continuing to play at its level of football.

At present the Oregon State Beavers show a record of 2-2, and have declared a corresponding line up of 1-3 against the spread.

What will happen today that we will remember for years to come?