The Washington State Cougars are heavy underdogs entering the Ole Miss football week.
As both teams are coming off their first bye, each has its strategies in place to face off in a game that is predicted to be a one-sided affair.
ESPN's FPI favors Ole Miss to win against the Cougars by a whopping 98.5%. But Washington State head coach Jimmy Rogers isn't letting the odds rattle his team. Instead, the Cougars are preparing for Ole Miss just like every other game on their slate: level-headed and focused to play their best in the 60 minutes.
"I don't know if it changes preparation ever on who you're playing. It's like there's a process in itself and how you go about it. As far as the segments in which you break down and what you're looking for. It's just better, it's just a different type of athlete that you're going to be going against," Rogers said in his press conference previewing Week 7.
As intimidating an opponent No. 4 Ole Miss might be looking right now with Trinidad Chambliss and their Coach Lane Kiffin's offense, the Cougars have their game plan set.
"Our guys are going to have to come out and play hard and play for 60 minutes and be locked into the game and not get caught up in the emotion of the scenario of where they're at or what the score is or how many fans are there, and we've got to come out and believe that we can win and go compete."
Who Kiffin names the starting QB against Washington State will also be a deciding factor in how tough of a game it will be for the 3-2 Cougars,
With Simmons steadily recovering, chances are Kiffin will let him start this one, and also save his wonder QB Chambliss for the high-stakes clash against Georgia the following week.
The Cougars head to the Vaught-Hemingway this Saturday to take on Ole Miss.