PULLMAN, Wash. — The Washington State Cougars are preparing for their next test on Saturday on the road at San Diego State.
The Aztecs are fresh off their bye week and looking to get over .500 with an upset victory on Saturday over the Cougs.
SDSU boasts a stout defense known for getting after the quarterback. Linebacker Trey White is tied for the most sacks in the nation with 11 in just seven games.
Despite the Cougs entering Saturday's game as two-touchdown favorites, Coach Dickert knows it will be no easy task facing this Aztecs defense.
"They allow those guys to get off the ball a lot," Dickert said. "They are a little bit pass rush first and react to the run, especially against offenses like ours. Schematically on third down, they are great. It is tough to really get a beat on it because week to week they are changing up a bunch of different things and doing a good job of creating one-on-ones for 47 (White). He is a high-motor individual and is a hard charger and does a good job of getting the quarterback down."
The Aztec offense is drawn up by head coach Sean Lewis, who runs a unique offensive scheme led by true freshman quarterback Danny O'Neil and veteran running back Marquez Cooper.
"They like to spread you out and run the ball, this is not some air-it-out offense," Dickert said. "Coach Lewis has learned under Dino Babers and that Baylor style of offense. He has evolved a lot and it is very challenging schematically."
WSU will also visit Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego for the first time ever for SDSU's homecoming game.
"The challenge is real," Dickert said. "Going on the road and beating anybody in college football is hard to do, so this is an exciting challenge. We are competitors and we are playing for a lot, but at the end of the day, get back in the dark, put in the work this week and let's go play our best football on Saturday."
The Cougs and Aztecs will kick it off at 7:30 pm on Saturday night in San Diego. You can catch the game on CBS Sports Network.