July 28 – PULLMAN – Here is the eighth part of our countdown to fall camp in Washington State, which begins on Wednesday. This edition covers the Cougars’ schedule.
Ranking WSU’s 2024 games from hardest to easiest
So far, we know that Washington state’s 2024 timeline doesn’t look like those that preceded it. The Cougars play eight games against Mountain West Conference opponents, six through scheduling agreements and two through pre-contracted games, and play a non-conference game against rival Washington in September.
Here’s our ranking of the Cougars’ 12 games this fall, from hardest to easiest. A side note: None of these games will be particularly easy for WSU – some just more so than others.
1. Home vs. Texas Tech, September 7
To defeat a second straight non-conference Power Four foe at home, WSU will need to slow down what appears to be an explosive Texas Tech offense. The Red Raiders are starting junior QB Behren Morton, who will have key players around him such as former WSU receiver Josh Kelly, former Arizona State tight end Jalin Conyers and senior running back Tahj Brooks. Former WSU offensive line coach Clay McGuire will also return to Pullman.
There’s a reason this game is scheduled to start in primetime on Fox.
2. Neutral vs. Neutral Site Washington, September 14
There are a lot of unknowns surrounding the rival Huskies, from first-year head coach Jedd Fisch to a group of skilled new players following the departure of last year’s team, but UW still appears to be a tough exit, especially playing at Lumen Field from Seattle. Can the Cougars shake new UW QB Will Rogers early? Can they mount an efficient ground attack? This could go a long way in determining the outcome of this game.
3. At Boise State, September 28
Picked No. 1 again in the Mountain West preseason poll, the Broncos return electric running back Ashton Jeanty and former USC QB Malachi Nelson, the No. 1 player in the 2023 class, according to ESPN. WSU will have a tough task on its hands trying to contain this duo.
4. In the state of Oregon, November 23
Oregon State also lost a lot in the offseason, including skill players like quarterbacks DJ Uiagalelei and Aidan Chiles, and running back Damien Martinez, which makes this matchup difficult to evaluate. In a Pac-2 battle, WSU will have to defuse what appears to be a raucous crowd at OSU’s Reser Stadium.
5. At Fresno State, October 12
The Bulldogs, picked to finish third in the Mountain West preseason poll, are operating under interim head coach Tim Skipper, who replaced head coach Jeff Tedford, who stepped down earlier this month due to health issues. No matter the head coach, Fresno State returns eight starters on offense. In their first trip to Fresno since 1992, the Cougars would do well to corral erratic QB Mikey Keene.
6. At San Diego State, October 26
First-year SDSU coach Sean Lewis, who was fired by Deion Sanders as Colorado’s offensive coordinator midway through last season, takes over an Aztecs team projected to finish eighth in the Mountain West. WSU will face SDSU in San Diego for the second time in program history. The Cougs can take advantage of an Aztec defense that lost nine key defenders in the offseason.
7. House vs. State of Utah, November 9
Looking to avenge their 2021 home loss to Utah State, the Cougars can get the job done this time. This fall, the Aggies will work to replace the 25 players they lost to the transfer portal during the offseason, which includes identifying a new starting quarterback. Before hitting the road for two games after this contest, WSU can gain momentum by dispatching USU.
8. Home vs. Wyoming, November 30
WSU coach Jake Dickert won’t have the chance to unseat his former coach Craig Bohl — Dickert worked with Bohl at Wyoming from 2017-19, but Bohl retired after last season — but his Cougars will have the opportunity to close out the regular season on a high note. WSU will have to face a Wyoming defense that returns several starters.
9. Home vs. Hawaii, October 19
In a matchup of two air raids (the Rainbow Warriors averaged 276 passing yards per game last season), the Cougars can win this one by disrupting the rhythm of Hawaii’s offense. Hawaii returns 3,500-yard passer Brayden Schager and all six of its top receivers, so if WSU can create a turnover or two, it should be able to capitalize on its home-field advantage.
10. Home vs. San Jose State, September 20
This fall, the Spartans will incorporate a new coach (former Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo), a new starting QB, their top two rushers and four starting offensive linemen, not to mention a host of new defenders. WSU can start its two-game comeback (at Boise State and Fresno State) by taking down new-look SJSU.
11. In New Mexico, November 16
In its first trip to Albuquerque since a Bill Doba-led team scored a victory in 2004, WSU shouldn’t have much trouble defeating a New Mexico team projected to finish second to last in the Mountain West. First-year head coach Bronco Mendenhall takes over a largely bare cupboard with just seven starters returning, which is a plus for the Cougars.
12. Home vs. Portland State, August 31
If there’s any drama in this, something has gone terribly wrong for WSU. The Cougs will have a chance to iron out the kinks in the season opener, hosting a Portland State team picked to finish 10th in the Big Sky. That’s good news considering the next two games are at the top of the list.
