clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Cougars open as 300-1 to win a National Championship

The very early BCS odds are out and for the first time in a while, WSU is actually listed. So you're saying there's a chance!

James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

Offseason BCS Championship odds typically don't mean a lot. A handful of teams are given legitimate odds while everyone else is pegged at something in the hundreds-1. That is assuming you are good enough to get odds. The Cougars have been so bad recently they haven't even cracked the offseason odds, but that changed this year with WSU back in the running at 300-1.

On the downside, those are really terrible odds. On the positive side, they are better than three other teams in the Pac-12. Ted Miller of the ESPN Pac-12 blog has the breakdown:

Odds to win 2014-2015 BCS National Championship (from 5 Dimes, unless otherwise noted)

Arizona 100-1 
Arizona State 75-1 
California 500-1 (Bovada) 
Colorado NA 
Oregon 49-4 
Oregon State 300-1 
Stanford 41-1 
UCLA 26-1 
USC 50-1 
Utah 500-1 
Washington 75-1 
Washington State 300-1

The Cougars have long been part of the N/A club, but not anymore. Now, you might be thinking "at 300-1, the odds might as well be N/A." Well, a quick history lesson may change your mind a bit. Take the 2013 Auburn Tigers. They were 150-1 to win it all and finished as the runner-up in the title game. There's a big difference between 150-1 and 300-1, however. So instead, let's take the 2013 Baylor Bears. The Bears were straddled with the same 300-1 odds last season as the Cougars are this. They then went on to win 11 games and play in the Fiesta Bowl.

Art Briles used to coach with Mike Leach. A bear and a cougar both have fur. Baylor's main color is green, Bill Moos used to be athletic director at a school who's main color was green. These are undeniable truths and are obviously scientific proof WSU is going to go 11-2 next season.

300-1, huh?

Football:

Breakdown of early season Pac-12 game odds and Heisman favorites - ESPN
Washington State 300-1

Cougars Continue Spring Practice - Washington State University Official Athletic Site

Washington State football continued spring practice with a two-hour workout in helmets and shorts Thursday afternoon on Rogers Field and in Martin Stadium.

WSU spring football: Connor Halliday returns to Albi - Spokesman.com - April 24, 2014

Connor Halliday will return to his old field of glory on Saturday. But when he leads the Cougars into Spokane’s Joe Albi Stadium for the Washington State Crimson and Gray game it will be to showcase his quarterbacking talents, rather than proving them.

Jason Gesser and Billy Newman Remember the 2001 Sun Bowl - Washington State University Official Athletic Site

Memories and laughs were shared Wednesday night inside the EPIC sports restaurant at Northern Quest Resort & Casino.

Former Coug Marcus Trufant retires as member of the Seahawks | KREM.com Spokane

When it was clear Marcus Trufant's time was done with the Seattle Seahawks following the 2012 season, he was given a message by general manager John Schneider and coach Pete Carroll.

Spring Practice Report: Day 13 - SportsLink - Spokesman.com - April 24, 2014

It was the best of practices for Kristoff Williams, it was the worst of practices for Kristoff Williams.

Baseball:

Pac-12 Baseball Power Rankings: April 24 - Building The Dam

8. Washington State (17-20, 7-8) Donnie Marbut's team likely saw their postseason fate sealed over Easter weekend in Eugene, when they were outscored by a combined 14 runs in a devastating sweep. The Cougars then returned home and were hammered by Gonzaga. Their rivalry week continues this weekend at Washington.