Cougs release 2019 football schedule, includes two byes

The 2018 season has yet to end but you can already start making travel plans for next fall in God’s Country. The athletic department got ahead of season ticket renewals this year by already releasing pricing for next season and now we know the dates of those game, following the release of the Cougs’ 2019 schedule today.

First off, it features not one but two, count ‘em TWO, byes. That’s thanks to the season starting earlier than normal with Labor Day so early in September, giving schools 14 weeks to fit 12 games into. The Cougs will get their byes at the beginning of both October and November, pretty perfect timing if you ask me.

Second, it features another Black Friday Apple Cup against the Washington Huskies — that’ll be on November 29 in Seattle.

Next year does only feature six home games, something we’ve known has been coming for a while with just two non-conference home games and the odd year Pac-12 schedule of just four home conference games (just six home games won’t happen again until 2023). The Cougs also have just one home game in October, what we are assuming will be Homecoming on October 19th against the Colorado Buffaloes. They’ll go nearly a month between games at home on the front and back end of that contest.

Overall though, I think this schedule sets up well for the team and fans. The Cougs’ aren’t on the road two straight weeks (both sets of back-to-back away conference games have a bye weekend in between) and half of the season’s home games are in September when the weather in Pullman should be glorious. Late September in Salt Lake City to face the Utah Utes and mid-October in Tempe to play the Arizona State Sun Devils is also pretty good as far as possible road trips go.

So, how does this stack up for you, record wise? We all know how expertly we picked this season around here so I’ll probably just sit this one out.