WSU football to schedule Rutgers for Seattle game in 2014 as part of series

The Washington State Cougars are nearing a deal to host the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at CenturyLink Field in Seattle as part of a two-game football series on the 2014 and 2015 schedules, according to Tom Luicci of The Star-Ledger. The Cougars will likely play at High Point Solution Stadium (Rutgers' home field) for the return trip.

This is certainly good news for a number of parties. First, the WSU football players should be happy that they won't have to give up a home game in Pac-12 play against Oregon. The same goes for season ticket holders, who should have the perennial national championship contenders in their package. Finally, Bill Moos looks better for getting a major-conference team (remember, Rutgers is going to be part of the Big Ten) in Seattle without sacrificing a Pac-12 game in Martin Stadium.

Of course, this is all assuming WSU won't be playing two games at CenturyLink in 2014.

Rutgers has turned itself into a solid football school, having won at least eight games in five of the last six seasons. Three of the last four have seen the Scarlet Knights win nine games, with just a four-win season in 2010 as the blip on the radar. Basically, this should be a higher-profile opponent than when Baylor came to Seattle in 2006.

The game in CenturyLink Field would mark the first meeting between WSU and Rutgers.