Washington State Football: 3 reasons Cougs did enough to make playoff

1. Apple Cup should have the national stage

We’re not focusing this list all on what Washington State football already did in 2018. Head Washington State football coach Mike Leach is carrying a top 10 ranked team into the most important regular season game of the year. The Apple Cup, against the Washington Huskies, will be one of the most consequential rivalry games of Week 13 in the nation.

Washington hopes to carry a top-15 ranking in the polls into Week 13. It could also get into the Pac-12 Championship Game with a win over the Cougars. There’s a lot on the line for each team so it should be a good game. For Washington State, it’s about staying alive in the Playoff race and sealing the Pac-12 North crown.

The former East Carolina Pirates transfer quarterback Gardner Minshew can establish his presence on the national stage. He has 39 total touchdowns and just seven interceptions on the season and should have more national respect for some awards. We can also get a good look at versatile junior running back James Williams, who has more than 1,000 total yards from scrimmage and 14 touchdowns.

Washington State needs some chaos to transpire above them to make it into the playoff field when it’s all said and done. It would need at least two of the teams in the top five to lose. If that does happen, the Selection Committee should have enough to put this deserving Washington State team into the top four.