Washington State Cougars: 5 most important games of 2022
It’s a new season and a new head coach for the Washington State Cougars. Here are their five most important games of 2022.
Conference realignment has made this an uncertain time in Pullman, Washington. One thing is for sure, the Washington State Cougars and new head coach Jake Dickert need to win games and reach a decent bowl game this year.
As it is every year, the Cougars’ conference schedule is very challenging. Not just challenging in 2022 but hectic in the early going.
September 10 at Wisconsin Badgers
Even though their season opens a week earlier when the Cougs host Idaho, this is the game they’ll be looking towards. It’s a nationally televised contest (FOX) at 18th-ranked Wisconsin, a top team from the conference trying to break the Pac-12.
It would be a huge statement for the Washington State Cougars to leave Madison, Wisconsin, with a “W.”
September 17 vs. Colorado State Rams
On the surface, this matchup against Colorado State doesn’t feel like a big deal. Some might think that it’s important because they see CSU as a “trap game” sandwiched between Wisconsin and Oregon.
There is so much more to it. If the Pac-12 does meet its demise, the Mountain West seems like an odds-on favorite destination for Washington State Cougars athletics. Why not announce their potential arrival with a victory over a current MWC team?
September 24 vs. Oregon Ducks
Oregon has been the Pac-12’s standard bearer for the better part of this century. To quote Ric Flair, “To be the man, you have to bet the man.” Well, UO is the man, and knocking them off in front of a jacked-up crowd at Gesa Field in the conference opener signifies that the Washington State Cougars are to be taken seriously this season.
October 8 at USC Trojans
“Hey, Southern Cal, you decided to join the Big Ten and hang us out to dry. Not so fast, my friends.” There is no better way to get revenge than for the Washington State Cougars to pull off an upset win in Los Angeles. Even better, a Wazzu win would deal a serious blow to USC’s conference title hopes.
November 26 vs. Washington Huskies
Of course, the Apple Cup against UW is the biggest game on the Cougs’ schedule. Now it takes on even more importance. As Washington possibly looks to leave the conference, Wazzu has to seize the opportunity to dominate their in-state rivals.
First of all, it would be hard for a power conference to blow over Washington State if they continue putting the boots to UW as they did in 2021. Also, the Cougars must change the tide of in-state recruiting and make themselves the destination for student-athletes that want to stay in Washington.
The best way to accomplish these goals is to win the Apple Cup.
Final Thoughts
It’s unrealistic to believe the Washington State Cougars can win all five of these difficult matchups. On the other hand, one or two wins won’t cut it either. The Cougs need to step up and take at least three.