Jake Dickert had a moment of clarity last December as he reflected on a season unlike any other in Washington State football history.
Amid the uncertainty of what would happen to the Cougars in the future, Dickert realized he shouldn’t take it all anymore – rumors, realignment, the loss of history, all the drama that came with the Pac-12 collapse that sent Washington State into college football purgatory.
“I think I tried to fight everything in the beginning. And it wasn’t a distraction, but you allowed the noise, right? Instead of just staying internal and talking about what we can do and how we’re going to invest in the future of Washington State,” Dickert said. “I learned a lot in the process. I tried to take on everybody, and the best thing I can do is provide the best experience for our players and our football program so that Washington State can continue to shine.”
The Cougars will spend the season alongside Oregon State proving their value in the revamped college football landscape while securing their future beyond the next two football seasons.
The easiest way to attract attention and increase the program’s reputation is to win.
“Next year we’re going to be in the spotlight. Everyone wants to know what’s happening with the Cougs,” Dickert said. “In a year, this story will be over. So we have a chance to showcase ourselves and our football team. And we can show why 95% of this team stayed here. This opportunity and what we can go out there and accomplish together.”
Dickert said the realization that the team needed to look inward came a few weeks after last season ended. The Cougars started 4-0 last season and garnered national attention, but then lost six straight games and ended the year with a 24-21 loss to Washington in the Apple Cup.
“I thought we could do a better job of getting everyone’s attention on the daily tasks, on doing their jobs and getting better every day,” Dickert said.
Washington State should have a chance to succeed. While their former Pac-12 brethren now play in the Big Ten, Big 12 and ACC, the Cougars and Oregon State will face mostly Mountain West opponents. Washington State’s roster was not plundered by the transfer portal and the vast majority of players returned to Pullman.
There are questions, especially in defense. But Dickert is confident.
“We’ve been through a lot of difficult things,” Dickert said. “I think we have a very close-knit team where they like each other, and I think they believe in our vision for them as people and as players.”
Under middle
John Mateer will be the starter following Cam Ward’s trade to Miami. Mateer appeared in 12 games in his two seasons and played rarely. He has thrown a total of 19 passes in his career, but also brings a running component to the position.
If Mateer falters, the Cougars can turn to transfer player Zevi Eckhaus, who was a finalist for the Walter Payton Award as the best player at the FCS level at Bryant last year.
Defensive concerns
Washington State must replace four key players on defense after losing defensive linemen Brennan Jackson and Ron Stone Jr. and defensive backs Jaden Hicks and Chau Smith-Wade.
Dickert hopes better play on the inside line will make up for the loss of Jackson and Stone, and he has high hopes for Syrus Webster, who transferred from Utah Tech. Dickert knows the first few games in the secondary will be necessary to get things in order.
The schedule
The Cougars will face Portland State on Aug. 31 before beginning a challenging four-week stretch that will set the tone for the season. Washington State hosts Texas Tech, faces Washington in the Apple Cup, played at Lumen Field in Seattle, hosts San Jose State in a shortened week and travels to Boise State.
The Cougars also have away games at Fresno State, San Diego State and Oregon State in the second half of the season, and they close out the season at home against Wyoming on Thanksgiving weekend.
