AT Washington
Isaiah: I want to preface this by saying I truly hope for nothing more than to be wrong about this prediction; however, I think heading into Husky Stadium will be too tall of a task for the Cougs. Playing UW in the first game of the Kirby Moore and Caden Pinnic era is a tough draw. I think this Husky defense shuts down the WSU offense, and WSU doesn't put enough points on the board to beat UW.
Nate: This is a tough draw for Kirby Moore and company to open their tenure. While I think the WSU defense will surprise and get some stops to keep them in it, I don't think the offense will be able to score enough to keep up.
AT Kansas State
Isaiah: WSU heads to Manhattan, Kansas, for their second game of the season. The game is scheduled to kick off at 9am Pacific Time; the kickoff time mixed with the short week (WSU plays the Apple Cup on a Sunday) makes this an extremely difficult game. I think this WSU has enough talent to win the game, but the mix of travel and short week is too much to overcome and leads to the second loss of the season.
Nate: I want to go bold here, but I think they'll ultimately fall just short. Similar to the prior week, the defense will do enough to keep things close, but the offense still isn't quite smoothed out enough, allowing the Wildcats to escape by a slim margin.
VS Duquesne
Isaiah: The first home game of the season comes against FCS opponent Duquesne, and I think the Cougs win this one in a landslide.
Nate: Duquesne isn't exactly amongst the top teams in the FCS. The Cougars should be able to smooth some things out offensively after a rough first few weeks and roll through the Dukes.
VS Arizona
Isaiah: Former Pac-12 foe Arizona comes to Pullman and they are projected to be one of the better teams in the Big12 this year. I think WSU wins one of the three non-conference power conference games, and I think Arizona is the most likely. Being at home and having the experience from the first three games give the Cougs a real shot to beat Arizona.
Nate: The week against Duquesne helps the offense get right. They figure something out and are a better-looking off against Arizona. The defense will do their part as they have through the first three games. However, I think they'll still fall just short against a very solid Arizona team.
VS Fresno State
Isaiah: The first conference game of the new era of the Pac-12 will come against Fresno State for the Cougs. Fresno State could be a legitimate contender to win the Pac-12 title this season; however, I think that homefield advantage carries the Cougs to victory against the Bulldogs.
Nate: Fresno State figures to be a team that will be fighting for a spot in the Pac-12 championship this year and rated pretty close to Washington State. On a neutral field, this is likely a toss-up. Luckily for the Cougs, it's at home, and I think that will be the difference. Cougs win narrowly in front of a good Family Weekend crowd.
AT Utah State
Isaiah: WSU will travel to Logan for a Friday night game. Utah State could be a sneaky good team under second-year head coach Bronco Mendenhall. The short week and the travel make this a tough game for the Cougars. WSU should be able to overcome these challenges and beat the Aggies in Logan.
Nate: This could be a trap game for WSU. After two tough games at home, they travel to the state of Utah on a short week. The good news is, Utah State is also coming off a short week and returning from a likely loss at Boise State. This is prime for some Pac-12 After Dark shenanigans, and I think the Cougars will be the benificary of it.
AT Oregon State
Isaiah: Corvallis has been somewhat of a house of horrors for WSU recently, with the Cougars losing three games in a row in Corvallis. Having been at 2 of these 3 games, it is hard for me to feel good about WSU winning this game. I think Oregon State extends the home winning streak to four against the Cougs this year.
Nate: I'm a big fan of the JaMarcus Shephard hiring for the Beavers. I think he'll do some great things at Oregon State. However, I think 2026 will still be rough around the edges. While the Beavers have gotten the best of WSU at Reaser Stadium, I think this is the year WSU finally snaps the skid.
VS Boise State
Isaiah: This game could be one of the best games in the Pac-12 and very well could turn into one of the best rivalries in the Pac-12. Playing the Broncos at home this year should be a massive advantage for WSU. I think WSU is able to stop Boise State's run game and shut down Maddux Madsen for a massive conference win in Pullman.
Nate: This is the exact game we have been waiting for since the announcement of Boise State joining the Pac-12. At home, mid-October, conference championship hopes are likely tied to this game. This is as good as it gets. While the crowd will be in full force, I think Boise State coming off of a bye week and having that extra time to prepare will end up being the difference maker as the Broncos take the inaugural conference game in the Snake River Rivalry.
AT San Diego State
Isaiah: San Diego State is coming off of a nine-win season and enters into the third year of the Sean Lewis era. WSU will be on the road for this one; however, San Diego State is far from the most intimidating environments in the Pac-12. I think San Diego State's defense is too much for WSU to overcome on the road, and the Cougs drop this one in San Diego.
Nate: A tough loss at home combined with a third road game in four weeks for the Cougs spells trouble. San Diego State projects to be a solid team with a stout defense that I think shuts down the Cougar offense on Halloween in San Diego.
VS Colorado State
Isaiah: The Cougs will get their first shot at the Jim Mora-led Rams in Pullman with WSU coming off of a bye week. Colorado State is a tough team to project with a first-year head coach, but I think WSU has a talent advantage as well as an advantage in the trenches. I think WSU wins this game by multiple touchdowns.
Nate: The bye couldn't come at a better time for a WSU team that just dropped two straight big games and now may be looking at an uphill battle to climb back into the conference championship race. Off the bye, they get Jim Mora and the Colorado State Rams. Mora did a great job turning around the UConn Huskies and will elevate the floor for the Rams. For the time being though, that floor is still low. The Ram offense struggles to score against the Cougar defense, and WSU gets back on track.
AT Texas State
Isaiah: Texas State could have the most dangerous offense in the Pac-12 this season. Their defense, however, could be on the opposite end of that spectrum. WSU also avoids playing in the summer Texas heat, which is helpful. If WSU can survive the first punch from Texas State, I think WSU wins this game.
Nate: If the Cougar defense is as good as I think it will be, this sets up for another classic between unstoppable force and immovable object. Both teams will likely need this one to keep their Pac-12 title hopes alive. While the trip to Texas is a long one, I think the Cougar defense travels and narrowly gets it done on some late heroics.
VS Oregon State (FLEX)
Isaiah: The Cougars have had a lot of success in recent years against Oregon State at home. I think this success continues for WSU if Oregon State is the flex week opponent. I have WSU finishing with an 8-4 record overall and a 6-2 Pac-12 record.
Nate: I don't think the Beavers will still be in Pac-12 contention heading into the final week, so I believe this "flex" week remains the same. In round two versus Oregon State, I think the Beavers muck it up in the first half, but the Cougars find a way to get it done and sweep the season series, finishing with a 7-5 record overall and a 6-2 Pac-12 record.
