Washington State Football: 3 reasons Cougars will beat Iowa State

Washington State Football: 3 reasons Cougars will beat Iowa State in Alamo Bowl

By Dana Becker | Dec 27, 2018

TEMPE, AZ - OCTOBER 22: Head coach Mike Leach of the Washington State Cougars watches from the sidelines during the first half of the college football game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium on October 22, 2016 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

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While Washington State football had higher hopes for this year, the Cougars can still record an 11-win season with a victory Friday over Iowa State.

For veteran head coach Mike Leach, the win total would be his most since a 2008 campaign at Texas Tech. The 10 victories right now are already a high for the Cougars under Leach’s watchful eye.

It’s been a gradual uphill climb for Washington State since Leach took over in 2012, winning three games that year and doubling the total to six in 2013. After dipping back down to 3-9 a season later, the Cougars have won nine, eight and nine games leading up to his breakthrough season.

Quarterback Gardner Minshew made himself a household name with both big passing numbers and his mustache, taking control of the “Air Raid” system. Washington State has also flexed some defensive might in the Pac-12, and will present a stiff opponent for the Cyclones.

Here are three reasons Washington State will defeat Iowa State on Friday in the Alamo Bowl:

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