Colorado State and Washington State bring long losing streaks into Pullman

Two teams in deep losing runs meet at Martin Stadium in Pullman, and one of those streaks ends on Saturday. Colorado State has lost 9 straight on the road, while Washington State has lost 8 straight overall. The teams have not met in the last 400 days, so there is no recent head-to-head to draw on. Kickoff is 10:30 PM ET.

The streaks differ in scope. Washington State's run covers all venues, and its home portion stands at 3 straight losses. Colorado State's slump is more specific: it has also lost 7 straight on the road after a loss, so it has not bounced back away from home in a long while. These describe what has happened, not what comes next, but neither team arrives with momentum.

Colorado State's one scoring-related trend is that it has gone over the total in 3 straight road games after a loss. Three games is a small sample, and it says nothing about this particular opponent.

Washington State's offense runs through the air. Owen Eshelman attempted 42 passes against San Diego State on October 31 and has led the team in attempts in 3 of its last 3 games. The targets are spread out: Branden Ganashamoorthy has 19 receptions over the last 3 games, Daniel Blood 18, tight end Trey Leckner 14 and Tank Hawkins Jr. 13. Kirby Vorhees has 18 carries over that stretch, with Leo Pulalasi at 11, a modest ground workload.

The Rams look different. Hauss Hejny has led the team in attempts in 3 of its last 3 games, but he had just 7 attempts against Boise State on November 7, which is a small sample for judging the passing game. Durell Robinson has 35 carries over the last 3 games, with Oliver Lundberg at 8, and that lead-back workload is well above Washington State's top runner. Through the air, Terrence Smith Jr. has 9 receptions, Tommy Maher 7 and RJ Vick 6. Washington State's top receivers have caught more passes over the same span.

Neither team reports an injury, and the forecast is 50°F with a 9 mph southeast wind and partial cloud, which is mild for an evening game in Pullman. Nothing in the conditions favors either side. The clearest contrast is the Cougars' broad receiving distribution against the Rams' heavier carry load, though neither approach has been tested against the other here. Overall the evidence is thin and balanced: two losing streaks of similar weight, a difference in offensive style, and no recent meeting to separate them.