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WSU slotted just outside new AP Top 25 ahead of road test against No. 25 Boise State

Washington State Cougars tight end Cooper Mathers (24) reacts after scoring his second touchdown against the San Jose State Spartans during the first half of a college football game on Friday, Sep. 20, 2024, at Gesa Field in Pullman, Wash. (Tyler Tjomsland/The Spokesman-Review)
By Greg Woods gregw@spokesman.com(509) 459-5587

PULLMAN – Washington State has more work to do to earn a national ranking.

That seems to be the indication from the Associated Press, which slotted the Cougars just outside Sunday’s top 25, making them the top vote-getter outside the rankings with 67 votes, good for an unofficial ranking of No. 26.

WSU, fresh off a 54-52 double-overtime win over San Jose State on Friday, is one of five 4-0 teams to go unranked this week. The others are Indiana, Pittsburgh, Liberty and Duke.

Washington State’s next test comes on Saturday on the road against No. 25 Boise State, which is checking in on the AP poll for the first time since 2020. The Cougs and Broncos are set for a 7 p.m. kickoff on FS1, it was announced on Sunday.

Boise State (2-1) is coming off a blowout win over FCS Portland State. The Broncos’ running back, Ashton Jeanty, ranks second nationally with 586 rushing yards. He’s first in the nation with 10.5 yards per carry.

It’s the second straight year opening the season 4-0 for the Cougs, who have not been ranked since Week 7 of last season, when they appeared at No. 19. That season, they rose as high as No. 13, which came after their fourth straight win to open the season.