Washington State ranked 41st in ESPN Football Power Index

Football season may still be five months away, but that doesn't mean it's too early for a new preseason ranking to be released. On Thursday ESPN unfurled the first edition of the 2016 Football Power Index and the Cougs found themselves in the no. 41 slot. FPI projects WSU to go 7-5 and gives the Cougs a 2.2 percent chance of winning the Pac-12.

This ranking falls in line with S&P+, another team metric, that has WSU as the nation's 48th best team. The Cougs being low in computer rankings isn't exactly new of course, as S&P+ had them ranked lower than the AP and Coaches Polls did last season. It seems that the Cougs' start to the season that featured losses to Portland St. and Cal, and underwhelming wins against weak Wyoming and Rutgers teams were more easily forgotten by human voters than algorithms. If the Cougs are as good as we think they'll be in 2016, I don't think a slow start is something that will be holding them down on Bill C's laptop.

Per FPI, the Cougs will be the eighth best team in the Pac-12 and will finish fourth in the north. The top team in the north you ask? The reigning Heart of Dallas Bowl Champions, Washington Huskies. The Dogs, who have clearly won the offseason, are ranked 13th and are given a 23 percent shot at the Pac-12 title. With those kind of expectations for a 7-6 team, I'm sure nothing will go wrong.

Does WSU finishing fourth in the north sound about right to you? If you could bet the Cougs 50/1 to win the conference how much money would you put down?

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Football:

WSU offense overcomes early drops in Thursday's practice | The Spokesman-Review
It's doubtful either the Washington State offense or defense came away fully satisfied with Thursday's practice.

Talented WR Isaiah Hodgins Will Announce His Commitment on April 23 - Football Recruiting - Scout
WSU target Isaiah Hodgins will make his commitment later this month and has several schools on his list.

Video: Shalom Luani after practice | The Spokesman-Review
Shalom Luani talks about the WSU defense.

Video: Ken Wilson after practice | The Spokesman-Review
Inside linebackers coach Ken Wilson talks about the development of the WSU defense.

Video: Mike Leach after practice | The Spokesman-Review
Mike Leach talks about Washington State's Thursday practice.

ESPN Football Power Index - 2016 - ESPN

Baseball:

Cougars Head To Arizona For Weekend Series - Washington State University Official Athletic Site
Washington State opens its series at Arizona Friday at 6 p.m.

Former WSU relief pitcher returns to coach new era of Cougars | Sports | dailyevergreen.com
A summer conversation with Head Coach Marty Lees was all it took for former WSU relief pitcher Kellen Camus to embody the slogan: Once a Coug, Always a Coug.

Track:

T&F Teams Travel to Tempe, Spokane - Washington State University Official Athletic Site
Jonnie Green and Terrance Chambers will be racing in the 400m relay in Tempe Saturday night.

Athletics:

Director of Athletics Bill Moos Podcast - Washington State University Official Athletic Site
Director of Athletics Bill Moos looks ahead to Mom's Weekend and the activities surrounding it, including the final two home matches of the season for tennis.