WSU football is on their worst downfall of the season as they prepare to take on No.14 Utah at home.

The Cougs have lost three of their last four games, losing to then-ranked No.15 Oregon 44-41, beating Cal 28-9, losing to then-ranked No.6 USC 30-14 and then losing to Oregon State 24-10.

After starting off hot to a 3-0 and 4-1 start, this is not where WSU expected to be at this moment, at 4-3.

Utah has a similar record at 5-2, but is in a totally different spot than WSU. They lost to Florida at the start of the season 29-26 and then to No. 18 UCLA 42-32. However, they are coming off their best win of the season in a very close game against No. 7 USC 43-42.

The WSU offense has been in need of revival the past few games. Scoring a combined seven points in the second half of their last two games. And scoring a total of 24 points combined in their two most-recent matchups.

WSU running back Nakia Watson was injured in the game against USC, so true-freshman Jaylen Jenkins has stepped into the starting role. In the game against USC, he had 13 carries for a total of 130 rushing yards. He also caught two balls for 54 yards with one long reception for 45 yards down the field. For the Cougar offense to be effective again, Jenkins needs to get going against Utah, feeding him the ball more in the rushing game.

Quarterback Cam Ward is tied for worst in the Pac-12 with eight interceptions. Either a schematic change needs to come, or Ward needs to be more conservative with his decisions. A lot of these interceptions came from sub-par decisions from Ward and most are fully avoidable.

The defense is performing, keeping the deadly USC team to just 30 points and Oregon State to 24 points.

The offense is just not able to put points on the board. Part of this has been the atrocious offensive line that allowed five sacks against USC and six sacks against Oregon State. The Cougs are attempting to fix this, switching around the offensive linemen and creating quick passing plays but it has not been enough.

Utah has the veteran quarterback Cameron Rising who is on pace to break his career-high in multiple categories. He has 1,855 passing yards so far with 15 touchdowns and three interceptions, along with 308 rushing yards with six rushing touchdowns this season.

“I think their quarterback on tape is the number one competitor that I’ve seen. I mean this guy does it all. If they need to run him 20 times he’ll do that and he’ll do it physically. If they need him to throw it 40 times he’ll do it,” WSU head coach Jake Dickert said. “It’s a unique skill set and I just think he’s one of those guys that competes his tail off.”

Utah tight end Dalton Kincaid has been a massive difference-maker for the Utes. He ranks seventh in the Pac-12 in receiving yards with 558 and is tied for second in the Pac-12 with six touchdown grabs. He is coming off a game against USC where he had 16 catches for 234 yards and a touchdown.

Kincaid is a 6-foot-4 and 240-pound monster who can fly. He is a mismatch with practically any position. Too big for a safety or a corner, too fast for a linebacker and way too athletic for a defensive lineman.

“To flex out and be a mismatch for a corner, come back into the box and have the ability to kick out a D-end. Heck, they might hand him the ball,” Dickert said. “The versatility, the skill set is obviously next level and he’s got a bright future. I don’t think you shut down a guy like that.”

Dickert campaigned around the city of Pullman, bringing signs around to businesses that said “committed.” He went around Greek Row and was on campus recruiting fans to show up to the Thursday game.

“Why not show up? Why not? To have the defending Pac-12 champions coming into our place. What an opportunity to show who we are as Cougs,” Dickert said. “Show up. Support your team, right, and I think that’s the message to everyone out there. I’m proud to represent Washington State. I know the people that wear their Cougs all across the country are proud to be a part of Washington State. So the question to me is: Why not? Why not be here and cheer on this team?”

Utah is favored by 7.5 and ESPN gives WSU around a 22% chance of winning the game.

WSU will play Utah at 7 p.m. Thursday in Gesa Field at Martin Stadium. The game will be broadcast on FS1.