Washington State Football Preview 2025: Cougars Season Prediction, Win Total Projection, Top Players

X CFN, Fiu | CFN Facebook | Bluesky Fiu, CFN

2025 Washington State Preview
Washington State Offense Breakdown
Washington State Defense Breakdown 

Washington State Cougars Key Player

Angel Johnson, RB Sr.
And Kirby Vorhees, and Maxwell Woods. Washington State didn’t get South Dakota State’s star rusher Amar Johnson - he’s a Green Bay Packer now - but it brought in three other terrific Jackrabbit backs.

Again, the Cougars ran well last year - at least for them - and again, the quarterback was the most dangerous option. This year’s offense needs Johnson and the rotation of runners to take over.

Washington State Cougars Top Transfer, Biggest Transfer Loss

Top Transfer In: Caleb Franci, LB Sr.
Out of all the terrific players coming in from South Dakota State, Franci should be the most productive new star. He’s only 6-1 and 190 pounds, but he’s a big hitter with wonderful range, making 78 tackles with seven broken up passes and 11 tackles for loss last season.

Top Transfer Out: John Mateer, QB Jr.
A whole slew of players followed former Cougar head coach Jake Dickert to Wake Forest, including offensive tackle Fa’ailili Fa’amoe, guard AJ Hasson, and receiver Carlos Hernandez.

But Mateer was a Heisman-caliber playmaker last year who led Wazzu in rushing and was one of the nation’s most effective passers. Now he’s about to be a superstar at Oklahoma.

Washington State Cougars Key Game

Washington, Sept. 20
There’s no Pac-12 Championship to play for, and it’s not getting into the College Football Playoff with a few too many tough road games, but beat the arch-rival for the second year in a row, and the year is made in before October.
- 2025 Washington State Schedule Breakdown

Washington State Cougars Top 10 Players

1. Caleb Franci, LB Sr.
2. Zevi Eckhaus, QB Sr.
3. Tucker Large, S Sr.
4. Josh Meredith, WR Sr.
5. Colby Humphrey, CB Sr
6. Keith Brown, LB Sr.
7. Angel Johnson, RB Sr.
8. Matt Durrance, S Sr.
9. Christian Hilborn, OT Sr.
10. Jeremiah Noga, WR Sr.

Washington State Cougars 2024 Fun Stats

- Onside Kicks: Opponents 2-of-3, Washington State 0-of-0

- Field Goals: Opponents 19-of-23, Washington State 8-of-13

- Washington State Scoring: 3rd Quarter 66, 4th Quarter 126

Washington State Cougars 2025 Season Prediction, Win Total, What Will Happen

Just how quickly can the new coaching staff make this work?

This might not be the Washington State you’re used to, but the starting 11 on defense should be terrific, and an improved running attack will make up for a toned-down passing game.

The Cougars will get off to a hot start, but a run of four road games in five dates from September 13th to October 18th - and a home game against Washington for the fifth game - will be an issue.

Including the first of two games against fellow Pac-12 brother Oregon State, six road games in nine will be too much to overcome. But it’ll still be a bowl season, it’ll be a good first year for the new regime, and then it’ll be on to life in the new Pac-12.

Set The Washington State Win Total At … 6

Likely Wins: Idaho, Louisiana Tech, San Diego State

50/50 Games: at Colorado State, at James Madison, at North Texas, Oregon State, at Oregon State, Toledo, at Virginia

Likely Losses: at Ole Miss, Washington 

2025 Washington State Preview
Washington State Offense Breakdown
Washington State Defense Breakdown