SAN DIEGO – There's an alternate world version of Washington State's 29-26 win over San Diego State on Saturday night, in which the Cougars don't need a last-minute first-down test to escape with a win, but rather until the Sailing to the finish line.

In another world, they play well enough to avoid this theater. Quarterback John Mateer fails to convert a seemingly sure sack into an 18-yard gain in the fourth frame. Linebacker Buddah Al-Uqdah doesn't have to make an interception in the fourth quarter to set up WSU's offense for the game-winning score.

In an alternate reality, WSU doesn't need a dogfight to beat a spectacularly average SDSU club. But we live in this world where the Cougs have shown us who they are in eight games this season: They have a quarterback with a lot of talent who can make some questionable decisions. They have a defense that gives up tons of yards and allows timely turnovers. They're a flawed group, but they keep finding ways.

To make the most of the rest of this season and capitalize on their remaining chances of competing in the expanded College Football Playoff, the Cougs have everything they need. Their team is deeply imperfect, but with just four regular season games left, they are good enough to win.

Boy, did they show all their colors in that win over SDSU. They showed their best: Mateer was mostly accurate, avoided losing the ball for the second game in a row, tried to make only the moves that were available, evaded pressure and used his legs when opportunities arose. The Cougs' defense proved to be turnover-heavy, getting Al-Uqdah's pick and a crucial pass breakup in crucial time from linebacker Kyle Thornton, regardless of whether he got away with a little too much contact.

But the Cougars (7-1) also proved that their low points are equally part of their personality: Their offense hit a serious lull in the third quarter that has been a theme all season, and their rushing attack seemed to be trying to make a run under water. Their defense seemed vulnerable to both the run and the pass, allowing SDSU running back Marquez Cooper to record two rushing touchdowns for 78 yards, and it wasn't until late in the fourth quarter that they found a way to slow down the RPO game, in which the Aztecs had it all going that evening – with two different quarterbacks.

At some point in the season you are who you are, and that's Washington State: prone to long dry spells on offense, but just as capable of making crucial plays when it matters most. On defense, he's likely to rack up big yardage blocks between the 20s, but can make up for it with turnovers. With only home games left to play against Utah State and Wyoming and away games against New Mexico and Oregon State, the Cougs are good enough to win as is.

But that doesn't mean the Cougs will win as they are. In their two road wins this season, wins over Fresno State and now against SDSU, they've flirted with the losing column so much that they probably started to blush. Even if they are better than the rest of their opponents for the rest of the regular season, and by all indications they are, winning by just enough isn't enough to permanently stave off defeat.

“I think (John) was really good late into the night, and I think at the end of the day everyone will remember that,” WSU coach Jake Dickert said. “We started pretty well, just had a lot of lull in the third quarter this season, especially on offense, and we did a lot of things that would have resulted in a loss. I mean we didn't convert in four losses, two special teams (mistakes) where we gave up possession, the defense didn't communicate and gave up a few big yards even though we had good stuff to get a few stops. But we found a way.”

Before we talk about the heroics that led to this Coug victory, let's discuss the mistakes that forced them to make these plays.

Early in the fourth quarter, SDSU attempted to claw back a one-point deficit and WSU's defense created a third-and-long situation. This group has mostly been good in situations like this, mostly because it means defensive coordinator Jeff Schmedding can launch some blitzes, including bringing in defenders from the secondary, and his creativity – along with the development of veteran linebacker Keith Brown – The Cougs' pass rush contributed a lot to this.

But they remain one of the worst tackling teams in college football, an issue that came up again in this game. SDSU quarterback Danny O'Neil, who had left the game several series earlier due to injury, completed a short pass to tight end Michael Harrison just in front of the sticks. WSU forward Nusi Malani and safety Jackson Lataimua both had chances to bring him down, but both failed, and a few plays after Harrison secured the first down, the Aztecs went up two on a rushing touchdown by Cooper Points ahead.

The Cougs also showed they can be beaten by the trick play, which SDSU used to score a touchdown by using a reverse and a receiver pass to burn WSU cornerback Jamorri Colson for six. On several other occasions, the Cougars allowed short plays to become bigger plays because of their tackling issues – something less discussed these days but still a concerning topic.

But WSU's defense is still WSU's defense, which means it can always create a turnover when it matters most. Al-Uqdah proved this by securing a pick for the second consecutive year. Near the end of the fourth stanza, Schmedding called for an attack, asking Al-Uqdah to feign pressure and retreat into coverage, knowing that a short attack – the game the Aztecs had been playing all game – was likely would come.

Schmedding may not be a perfect defensive coordinator, but he looked like a genius in this game. Al-Uqdah followed his coaches' advice not to drop too low so he could jump the short angle, and he conceded.

“The QBs were staring at the lanes,” Al-Uqdah said, “so I just went in the window and the ball found me. “The coach always says the ball finds energy.”

On offense, the Cougs were the Cougs, albeit with one significant improvement: Mateer showed real restraint and avoided turning the ball over, which clinched the decisive win. But he missed a few throws, as he usually does, and his QB keepers weren't there like they were earlier in the season. It's crystal clear that opponents are using extra defenders to keep Mateer in the pocket and hinder his ability to run.

But WSU's rushing attack wasn't there at all, no matter who had the ball. Running back Wayshawn Parker had 9 carries for 33 yards. Djouvensky Schlenbaker made a crucial 8-yard strike on WSU's final drive, but finished with just 15 yards on 4 carries, and Leo Pulalasi managed 6 yards on 4 carries.

The Cougs also failed to convert on fourth down twice, both on running attempts: On one, Parker was stuffed and on the other, Mateer was rejected while trying to pass a QB keeper with seven Aztec defenders in the box. Offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle has to call a different play, or Mateer has to convert the offense to a different call. These are the plays that can turn games around with the momentum they create for the opponent.

This is a stymied offense, and Arbuckle hasn't shown he can keep the unit going after the first, scripted drive. In his defense, things get more complicated when your quarterback struggles on deep balls and opponents take away what makes him so deadly, but the cards you're dealt are the cards you're dealt. His task is to find an ace in a stack of four.

But what makes Mateer so special is his athleticism, which he can always display, even when things seem bleak. He provided the most compelling evidence midway through the fourth quarter when, faced with a second-and-12 in WSU territory, he made a Houdini move to escape a seemingly certain sack, tucking the ball away and turning it into an 18-yard box. Yard throw converted by Rush, which paved the way for his short touchdown rush — and the ensuing 2-point conversion, which he intercepted from receiver Kris Hutson — that sealed the deal.

“Before Devin (Kylany, center) grabs it, there’s grass on the top of the ball. I see the grass,” Mateer said. “Grab it, boom. Grass in my face. So I'm like, oh my God. Read is not open. Apply pressure, get out there. Luckily I was able to get out of there. It was pretty cool. It was exciting. Helped us move forward.”

In an alternate reality, perhaps Snapdragon Stadium officials keep the field in better condition so that Mateer didn't have grass on his face and players from both teams didn't slip multiple times. But we live in this reality where the Cougs can win under these circumstances, just as they should be able to under the following circumstances. Just don't confuse that with will win.