Good morning. Rare is the game where the Washington State Cougars lose by 14 points, surrender more than seven yards per rush and 10.4 YPA, convert only 7/15 3rd down attempts, and I sit here thinking, “Man they totally could have won.” But that’s where I find myself this morning, despite the yawning statistical gap between the two teams. The game was there for the Cougs, but unfortunately they just couldn’t kick down the door.
This game reminded me of one of those college basketball games you watch where the home underdog starts off on fire, but doesn’t quite take advantage of enough opportunities; before you know it, the favorite has methodically made its way back into the game and eventually leverages its significant talent advantage to suffocate the scrappy but outmanned underdog.