PULLMAN, Wash — Washington State University football is bowl-bound after their latest win, moving them to an impressive 6-1 record. Now this guarantees WSU a spot in the postseason, or the realm of all the bowl games, but some fans are wondering if the Cougs could go even further.
Is there a path to the College Football Playoff?
“Gonna be honest, I think we do have a chance,” said Jack McDonagh, sophomore at WSU. “It is a little slim. We have to win out absolutely. We cannot take another loss but also I think Boise St. needs to win out because they are our one loss and the better they look, it makes us look better.”
With there being changes to the College Football Playoff format, the bracket has expanded from 4 to 12 teams. With that, the top 6 conference champions, excluding the Pac-12, automatically qualify, and the next 6 highest-ranked teams get at-large bids.
For WSU to make it to the playoffs, there are a few things that need to happen that can help them out.
First, the Cougs need to finish the season 11-1, winning the final five games they have left.
Second, WSU wants Boise State to win the Mountain West. If the Broncos can get a Conference Championship bid into the playoffs, then the only blemish on the WSU schedule is a road loss to a playoff team.
Third and finally, the Cougs need Notre Dame to lose one of their final remaining games on their schedule. Notre Dame is currently ranked #12 in the college football rankings, and they are eligible for an “at-large” bid. Now, if they lose, this bid would most likely go to a separate power four conference school, or WSU.
“I mean just because we’re a smaller school and we don’t have a Conference, I think it will be tougher definitely but I think there’s a chance if we win out,” said Jack Neal, senior at WSU. “We have already done our hardest battles. I think all we have to do is carry that importance into the rest of it and we will have an easy 11-1 season. If anybody can do it I think the Cougs have a good chance,” said Samuel Robbins, sophomore at WSU.
Currently, ESPN’s playoff predictor gives WSU a 13% chance to make the playoffs.
More Murrow News Stories PULLMAN, Wash — Washington State University football is bowl-bound after their latest win, moving them to an impressive 6-1 record. Now this guarantees WSU a spot
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