Cougar football non-conference schedule set through the 2018 season

Don't ever say the athletic department doesn't plan ahead. In a release today, WSU announced its full football non-conference schedule through the 2018 season.

The only game that hadn't been previously announced is the Sept. 16, 2018 battle with the Montana State Bobcats in Pullman; otherwise, every game was one we already knew about but may not have had a firm date before today.

You'll notice one thing that's missing: any mention of a Seattle game beyond this season. You'll recall last week Moos said he was reevaluating the game and had, at the very least, decided against hosting Pac-12 games there. This schedule would seem to signal the end of the Seattle game altogether though. Standard caveats of Moos changing his mind later and continuing the game, but it looks as if it might be done after this season. Also worth noting: there isn't a single body-bag game.

"I believe our nonconference schedules over the next five years are a great compliment to our Pac-12 schedules," said Moos in the release. "We have been able to secure a home-and-home series against Big Ten opponent Rutgers, maintain regional matchups, resume our series against Boise State for the first time since 2001, and also provide Cougar fans with seven home games in four of the next five seasons."

As far as I'm concerned, the 2017 schedule is the most appealing with three straight home games to open a season where you only get four conference home games as it is. Plus, it's two very winnable games (Nevada and Montana State) sandwiched between a marquee match-up (Boise State) which should make for three busy weeks in Pullman. Season ticket holders will certainly love the seven home games in every season with the exception of this season (though the Seattle game isn't part of the season ticket package so it's a "home" game) and 2015.

Here's a look at the full non-conference slate, courtesy of WSUCougars.com:

2014
Aug. 28: vs. Rutgers (Seattle)
Sept. 6: at Nevada
Sept. 13: Portland State

2015
Sept. 5: Portland State
Sept. 12: at Rutgers
Sept. 19: Wyoming

2016
Sept. 3: Eastern Washington
Sept. 10: at Boise State
Sept. 17: Idaho

2017
Sept. 2: Nevada
Sept. 9: Boise State
Sept. 16: Montana State

2018
Sept. 1: at Wyoming
Sept. 8: San Jose State
Sept. 15: Eastern Washington