Week 1: September 1st
Washington State University @ University of Wyoming
It can always be tough opening the season on the road and this game may be just that. With a new quarterback at the helm and a new defensive coordinator, expect to see some growing pains early in this game.
Once the Cougars begin to find some rhythm in the second quarter, expect them to score a lot of points in this outing. Wyoming is not the same team without Josh Allen, so expect the Wazzu defense to make some big plays. Peyton Pelluer will be a nightmare in this one.
Score: WSU 42 Wyoming 10
Record: 1-0
Week 2: September 8th
San Jose State University @ Washington State University
As the old saying goes, winning is contagious. With some game experience together, expect the offense to fire on all cylinders in this game. Look for big plays from James Williams and Tay Martin along with lots of pass attempts to different receivers.
Score: WSU 52 SJSU 7
Record: 2-0
Week 3: September 15th
Eastern Washington University @ Washington State University
This is an interesting matchup. Although they are FCS, Eastern Washington runs a similar offense to the Air Raid that Mike Leach created. The quarterbacks in this game will need lots of ice after the final buzzer thanks to all the passes thrown.
I still expect another great outing for Washington State, but the defense will need to have consistent pressure to keep the ball out of the air. Pelluer and Nnamdi Oguayo, will create a lot of plays in this one.
Score: WSU 63 EWU 14
Record: 3-0
Week 4: September 21st
Washington State University @ University of Southern California
The USC Trojans will be angry and look to avenge the upset of last season at the hands of Wazzu. USC will be at home and they will not take it easy on the Cougs. WSU might score a few points in this one, but don’t expect the same results as last year. Cameron Smith for USC will be looking to have a big day.
Score: USC 35 WSU 14
Record: 3-1
Week 5: September 29th- HOMECOMING
The University of Utah @ Washington State University
Utah is one of the better teams in the PAC-12 South this year. Many think the south will be down to them, USC and Arizona. Utah will overcome the trip to Pullman, WA and walk away with a victory. Expect Wazzu to play this game a little closer than some think though. The defense will keep the Cougs in this one and Sean Harper will patrol the receivers on the field.
Score: Utah 42 WSU 28
Record: 3-2
Week 6: October 6th
Washington State University @ Oregon State University
Washington State will get back on track with this game ending the 2 game losing streak. OSU is still rebuilding and needs to see a lot of improvement to keep up with the Cougs. Look for another big day from WSU’s deep wide receiver core. Names like Kyle Sweet and Renard Bell will be big contributors.
Score: WSU 56 OSU 7
Record: 4-2
Week 7: October 13th – BYE
Week 8: October 20th
University of Oregon @ Washington State University
In a bit of an upset, Washington State comes away with this one. Oregon is going through another overhaul, so I see them still trying to find their place in this one. It could be decided with whoever has the ball last. Coming off of a bye and playing at home will give Wazzu a big helping hand in this one.
Score: WSU 35 UO 28
Record: 5-2
Week 9: October 27th
Washington State University @ Stanford University
Stanford will give WSU all it can handle. I expect Bryce Love to have a big day on the ground. It will be hard for any defense in the country, let alone Washington State, to slow down his production from the backfield. Look for some creative ways to spread the field offensively by the Cougs.
Score: Stanford 42 WSU 14
Record: 5-3
Week 10: November 3rd
The University of California Berkeley @ Washington State University
Cal will continue the trend by beating Washington State but in a close game. There is something magical about Pullman, WA, but I don’t think that will be enough in this game. Cal has a very talented team this year and I expect this one to be a dogfight.
Score: Cal 49 WSU 42
Record: 5-4
Week 11: November 10th
Washington State University @ University of Colorado
The fight to become bowl eligible ends here as the Washington State University Cougars beat Colorado. Colorado struggles from 2017 carry over into this year where the Cougs beat the Buffs soundly.
Score: WSU 63 CU 10
Record: 6-4
Week 12: November 17th
University of Arizona @ Washington State University
Khalil Tate will be the difference maker in this game. He is the second best player in the conference, behind Bryce Love, in my opinion. When you have a player like that on the field, you just find ways to win. I do feel that the Cougs will put up some points and that James Williams will have a big game receiving out of the backfield in this one.
Score: Arizona 45 WSU 35
Record: 6-5
Week 13: November 23rd – Apple Cup
The University of Washington @ Washington State University
This is such an underrated rivalry. The Apple Cup has had a lot of intrigue these last few years and it is so important to both teams. Weird things happen in Pullman. Weird things happen at the Apple Cup. I think that Coach Leach finds a way to upset the Huskies in the Apple Cup.
Score: WSU 42 Washington 35
Record: 7-5
Bowl Prediction: Given the season goes as I laid out, I see Washington State University playing in the Hyundai Sun Bowl.