For the first time since 2023, Washington State has its own full conference schedule. A breath of fresh air after spending the last two seasons trying to piece together all 12 games by themselves like an independent.
WSU’s conference schedule goes as follows:
- October 2nd OR 3rd: HOME vs Fresno State
- October 10th: AWAY at Utah State
- October 17th: AWAY at Oregon State
- October 24th: HOME vs Boise State
- October 31st: AWAY at San Diego State
- BYE
- November 14th: HOME vs Colorado State
- November 21st: AWAY at Texas State
- NOVEMBER 28TH: HOME vs FLEX (Projected Oregon State)
As expected, WSU will play all seven other Pac-12 teams and will play a team twice for their eighth conference game. For this final conference game, the Pac-12 has decided to do something very unique. The Pac-12 is leaving the final week as a “FLEX”
week, meaning they can change the matchups if it is in the best interest of the conference.
Currently, they have WSU projected to play Oregon State. But should a scenario arise where it would be in the best interest to change these matchups to help the conference’s College Football Playoff odds, then the conference would switch up the matchups. The only parameter is that teams that are already projected to have a home game will keep their home game and can only play a team they played on the road earlier in the season. Games will be confirmed six days prior to the game at the latest. The other projected matchups for the final week are as follows:
- Boise State at Utah State
- Texas State at Colorado State
- San Diego State at Fresno State
The only teams WSU could play outside of Oregon State in a flexed matchup would be San Diego State and Texas State.
The only way I really see a path to a game being flexed out is if there’s a real chance one of these matchups would be the conference championship the next week. Changing that would help prevent the conference from cannibalizing itself by eliminating one team that week and another the following in the conference championship game. The Pac-12 also announced that the conference championship game would be hosted on the campus of the #1 team in the conference.
Let’s just play out this scenario and why this flex option could be so important for the conference. Say WSU just defeated Texas State to move to a perfect 7-0 in conference so far and sits just on the edge of the CFP around #13 or so in the rankings. Down south, the Oregon State Beavers are enjoying a revival season, with their lone conference loss coming to WSU. Their bid for a CFP spot is alive, but it’s a long shot as they sit in the 20s in the CFP rankings Both teams sit atop the Pac-12 standings and are already locked into the conference championship game. If this game weren’t flexible, the Pac-12 would be exposing themselves to a situation where Oregon State and Washington State split and likely eliminate each other from CFP contention. Instead, the conference can step in and prevent this by switching up the matchups to ensure the maximum chance they can have a team in a CFP position heading into the conference championship week.
For a league that’s built their identity on survival, this is a great move. Public perception be damned, this is about survival and ensuring what’s best for your teams.
As for the remainder of WSU’s conference schedule, it’s hard to think of a much better slate. One of the big things to me is the fact that they got Boise State at home this year. If the Apple Cup is to continue as is right now, this would mean WSU would likely alternate getting Boise State and Washington at home every other year. This secures a marquee matchup to draw fans in every season.
The crowds for the September games will be interesting. While Duquesne is the first home game, having Arizona and Fresno State looming behind it may make attendance pretty sparse, as some may want to wait for the latter two games. Game times will also likely impact what games fans choose to go to.
Road trips to Utah State, Oregon State, San Diego State, and Texas State are all intriguing destinations for fans to go check out.
Overall, it’s just great to see a conference schedule and know that there will be something to play for this season.
