An early WSU 2014 projection

We're not quite in the height of college football prediction season, but we're getting close. The team preview series have begun and a few projections are beginning to roll out. That includes Brian Fremeau of ESPN Insider who recently rolled out his projections conference by conference.

The article requires an ESPN Insider membership to access it, but Fremeau predicts the Cougars to go 5-7 including 3-6 in the Pac-12. Here is a brief snippet of what he had to say about WSU:

The competition in the division will keep them from breaking through, according to our projections, but Washington State can make strides simply by avoiding blowout losses this year. Four of their seven losses last season came by at least 24 points.

Talking about moral victories isn't going to get anyone very excited about the season. His projection, however, is in line with what I'd expect. I would assume most projections will have WSU between 5-7 and 7-5. A lot depends on how you see the Cougars faring in the non-conference schedule. Fremeau has WSU going 2-1 and based on a 4-8 projection for Rutgers, that loss is probably to Nevada. Where are the three conference wins at this point? California at home is an obvious choice. Arizona at home? I certainly wouldn't project WSU to beat Oregon State on the road with the issues the Cougars have had with the Beavers in recent seasons. Maybe the Apple Cup?

We're still nearly four months from football, but let's go ahead and see where everyone stands now, how many wins are you projecting in 2014?

Football:

Spring gold: Pac-12 North Division - ESPN
Ask any WSU fan about the future at quarterback beyond Connor Halliday and there is no worry in the world. It has been that way since Tyler Bruggman signed his letter of intent as part of the Class of 2013. What few counted on was that a walk-on could end up challenging the heir apparent -- but that appears to be the case. Luke Falk, who at one time was committed to Cornell, split reps with Bruggman and outperformed him in the Cougars’ spring game.

Women's basketball:

Krystle McKenzie Inks NLI, Joins 2014 Signing Class - Washington State University Official Athletic Site
Washington State head women’s basketball coach June Daugherty announced that Krystle McKenzie has signed a National Letter of Intent to join the program as a freshman next season.