As the Washington State Cougars prepare to host the Stanford Cardinal at Gesa Field, fans are eager to see if the team can bounce back from their recent performances. The upcoming football game is set to be a pivotal moment for the Cougars, who have shown both promise and areas for improvement over their past few games.

Nov 4, 2023; Pullman, Washington, USA; Stanford Cardinal quarterback Ashton Daniels (14) throws a pass against Washington State Cougars defensive end Brennan Jackson (80) in the second half at Gesa Field at Martin Stadium. Stanford won 10-7. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

In their last outing, the Cougars fell short against an opponent with a stronger record, scoring only 7 points compared to 10 by their adversaries. Despite this loss, there were positive takeaways; notably, they managed to hold their opponents scoreless in two quarters of play. However, consistency remains an issue as they look to improve upon a .500 record that includes four wins and four losses.

Analyzing past games reveals some trends that could influence the upcoming match. Two weeks ago against Arizona State Sun Devils, despite accumulating over 400 total yards with an impressive passing completion rate of 70 percent and securing three touchdowns overall, defensive lapses led them to concede 38 points. Furthermore, penalties have been a recurring problem for the team; in one game alone they incurred eight penalties costing them valuable yardage.

Nov 4, 2023; Pullman, Washington, USA; Washington State Cougars quarterback Cameron Ward (1) throws a pass against the Stanford Cardinal in the first half at Gesa Field at Martin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

The week prior presented another challenge when facing Oregon Ducks where they managed a higher total yardage of nearly 500 yards but again struggled defensively allowing 38 points. Their red zone efficiency stood out with an 80 percent success rate which could be crucial in tight situations against Stanford.

However, it's not all doom and gloom for Washington State fans as there are clear strengths within this team - particularly within their passing game which has consistently racked up significant yardage across recent fixtures.

Nov 4, 2023; Pullman, Washington, USA; Washington State Cougars quarterback Cameron Ward (1) throws a pass against the Stanford Cardinal in the first half at Gesa Field at Martin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

As we approach kickoff on November 5th at Gesa Field in Pullman WA at 1:00 AM GMT (November 4th local time), fans can catch all the action live on Pac-12 Network. The venue's artificial surface may play into Washington State's favor given its familiarity and potential impact on gameplay speed - something that could prove decisive as they seek victory before home supporters.

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