WSU moves up to No. 8 in the AP poll, leaping Ohio State

For the first time since 2003, the Washington State Cougars have ascended to the top 10 of a national poll, moving up to No. 8 in the AP poll — leaping Ohio State — and No. 9 in the coaches poll after easily handling the Oregon Ducks on the road last night, 33-10, to move to 6-0.

The Cougs were able to take advantage of some chaos in front of them following losses by then-No. 7 Michigan (to unranked Michigan State) and then-No. 3 Oklahoma (to unranked Iowa State). Both of those losses were at home, sending each tumbling out of the top 10. Apparently, the Sooners’ loss made the Buckeyes’ loss to Oklahoma look less impressive to the writers, who dropped them below the Cougs.

This is the fastest the Cougs have reached a single-digit ranking, and is the highest ranking for WSU since the 2003 season, when they reached No. 6 in mid-October. It’s only the sixth time in program history that WSU has achieved top 10 status.

Joining the Cougs in the coaches top 25 from the Pac-12 are the Washington Huskies (No. 4), USC Trojans (No. 13), Utah Utes (No. 23) and Stanford Cardinal (No. 25); in the AP poll, the Huskies are No. 5, USC No. 13 and Stanford No. 23.