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WSU climbs two spots to No. 20 in new AP Top 25 ahead of first round of CFP rankings
WSU Climbs Two Spots to No. 20 in New AP Top 25 Ahead of First Round of CFP Rankings
Washington State Cougars Rise in College Football Ranks
The Washington State Cougars have climbed two spots to No. 20 in the latest Associated Press Top 25 poll ahead of the first round of College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings.
The Cougars, who were ranked No. 22 in the previous poll, moved up two spots after a 31-24 victory over the Stanford Cardinal last weekend.
Washington State is now one of three Pac-12 teams ranked in the AP Top 25, joining No. 11 Oregon and No. 14 Utah.
Cougars Look to Continue Climb in CFP Rankings
The Cougars' rise in the AP Top 25 is a good sign for their chances of making the CFP. The CFP selection committee will release its first rankings of the season on Tuesday, November 5.
Washington State is currently ranked No. 19 in the CFP rankings, and a strong finish to the season could see them move into the top 15.
The Cougars have a challenging schedule remaining, with games against No. 13 California, No. 19 Washington, and No. 4 Oregon still to come. But if they can win those games, they will have a strong case to be included in the CFP.
Washington State's Offense Leads the Way
The Cougars' offense has been one of the most explosive in the country this season, averaging 45.2 points per game.
Quarterback Gardner Minshew has thrown for 2,878 yards and 30 touchdowns, while running back James Williams has rushed for 936 yards and 10 touchdowns.
The Cougars' offense will be tested in their remaining games, but they have shown that they can score points against anyone.
Defense Needs to Step Up for Cougars to Reach CFP
While the Cougars' offense has been impressive, their defense has been a bit of a liability at times.
The Cougars are allowing 30.6 points per game, which is 83rd in the country.
If the Cougars want to make a run at the CFP, they will need their defense to step up and play better.
Conclusion
The Cougars are in a good position to make a run at the CFP this season. They have a talented offense and a favorable schedule remaining.
But if they want to reach the CFP, they will need to continue to play well and improve their defense.