The annual Dad’s Weekend has arrived in Pullman, and the Washington State Cougars will play in front of a sold-out Martin Stadium against the Oregon State Beavers.

The Saturday game will mark the first Pac-12 matchup in Pullman this season and could be a statement game for the Cougars if they win. And if the team can help it, the winning won’t stop.

In a press conference on Monday, redshirt junior Kalafitoni Pole told a story about sitting next to teammate Darryl Monroe on the way back from the game against California. Pole made the comment that his Powerade tasted so good, and Monroe responded by saying that everything tastes better after a win.

“We’re at our high right now, but we can always get better,” Pole said. “Right now, we’re focusing on Oregon State. We’ve been watching a lot of film on them and they’re a good team.”

Only one loss separates these two teams, and that is because the Cougars have simply played one more game than the Beavers this season. However, the Beavers are far from a losing team, bringing a 4-1 record into the matchup.

The Beavers’ only loss of the season came against Eastern Washington University, which dropped them from the BCS rankings.

In their next four wins, the Beavers scored over 30 points behind junior quarterback Sean Mannion.

“We’re definitely going against a really good quarterback,” senior safety Deone Bucannon said. “He has a great arm, and we just need to respect him and the receivers we’re going to go against. We need to have faith in the game plan and just go along with it.”

Mannion has thrown 21 touchdowns and only two interceptions this season, with a 67.2 completion percentage. He averages over 400 passing yards per game, so the Cougars’ secondary should be as busy as ever.

The biggest order of business for that secondary unit will be to shut down junior wide receiver Brandin Cooks, who is by far Mannion’s favorite target. Cooks has more than 800 receiving yards and nine touchdowns already this season.

Mannion did throw three interceptions against the Cougars last season, but Bucannon said Mannion has had a whole year to improve and he is now a different player, so the defense will prepare for him as if they have never played against him.

“We know they’re going to pass the ball,” Pole said. “They have a good quarterback who I played against in high school for three years. I’m familiar with this guy. He can sling the ball, I’m telling you.”

The Cougars could present a threat for Mannion if they continue playing like they have so far this season. Entering the Saturday matchup, the Cougars are tied for the lead in the Pac-12 conference for turnovers forced with 14. Of those 14, nine have been interceptions, and that is the best in the conference this season.

Bucannon leads the team with four interceptions and is currently tied for the fourth most career interceptions in school history.

The matchup between these two teams will begin at 7:30 p.m. For those who don’t have tickets to the game or who cannot make it to Martin Stadium, the game will be broadcasted on ESPNU and the IMG College Sports Network.