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Washington State Football: 2017 season preview, predictions

By Connor Muldowney

(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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PULLMAN, WA – OCTOBER 15: Mascot Butch for the Washington State Cougars performs during the game against the UCLA Bruins at Martin Stadium on October 15, 2016 in Pullman, Washington. Washington State defeated UCLA 27-21. (Photo by William Mancebo/Getty Images)
PULLMAN, WA – OCTOBER 15: Mascot Butch for the Washington State Cougars performs during the game against the UCLA Bruins at Martin Stadium on October 15, 2016 in Pullman, Washington. Washington State defeated UCLA 27-21. (Photo by William Mancebo/Getty Images) /

2017 schedule

WEEK DATE OPPONENT LOCATION
1 Sept. 2 vs. Montana State Pullman, Wash.
2 Sept. 9 vs. Boise State Pullman, Wash.
3 Sept. 16 vs. Oregon State Pullman, Wash.
4 Sept. 23 vs. Nevada Pullman, Wash.
5 Sept. 29 vs. USC Pullman, Wash.
6 Oct. 7 at Oregon Eugene, Ore.
7 Oct. 13 at California Berkeley, Calif.
8 Oct. 21 vs. Colorado Pullman, Wash.
9 Oct. 28 at Arizona Tucson, Ariz.
10 Nov. 4 vs. Stanford Pullman, Wash.
11 Nov. 11 at Utah Salt Lake City, Utah
12 Nov. 18 BYE WEEK
13 Nov. 25 at Washington Seattle, Wash.

The first month of Washington State’s schedule looks winnable. Heck, the Cougars don’t leave Pullman until Oct. 7 when they travel to Eugene to take on Oregon. The Ducks will be much-improved from last year’s team, so that will mark two straight difficult Pac-12 contests.

After the Oregon game, the Cougars will travel to California before hosting Colorado. The Buffaloes were a surprise contender in 2016, and could be just as good in 2017. That game is far from a sure victory for Washington State.

Three of the final four games of the season will come on the road, making up for that stretch of home games to begin the year. The Cougars will travel to Arizona, Utah and Washington, all marking tough games. The only home game in that stretch is against the Stanford Cardinal who may very well be contending for the Pac-12 North at the time.

Next: College Football: Top 50 breakout candidates for 2017

Prediction: 7-5, 4-5 Pac-12

Is this the year Leach leads Washington State to 10 wins? Probably not. While the Cougars will likely begin the year 4-0 with a revenge victory against Boise State at home, final fourth of the schedule is rough. It starts with a home game against Stanford which will be tough and then away contests against Utah and Washington won’t get any easier. Despite starting the year 7-2, Washington State will falter in the final three games for the second straight season.

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