Interactive Graphic: Week 4 WSU rooting interests

Our Washington State Cougars are ranked 19th in both polls and have UCLA coming to town. Vegas is expecting the Cougs to move to 4-0, so let’s take a look around the college football world at a few games that could have implications for WSU’s position in the polls if the Cougs get out with a W on Saturday night.

Auburn Tigers (#8) at Texas A&M Aggies (#17) - 12:30 PM PST - CBS (Texas A&M -3.5)

Last season’s game on The Plains saw the Aggies out gain Auburn 423 yards to 278 yards, but the Tigers scored two touchdowns in the 4th quarter to come back from a 24-14 deficit to win. I’m not super confident in Auburn’s pass game with Bo Nix and Texas A&M is at home. If I was betting on this game I’d lean toward the Aggies, but a win for Auburn would almost assuredly mean WSU is moving up in the polls, Go Tigers.

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UCF Knights (#15) at Pittsburgh Panthers - 12:30 PM PST - ABC/ESPN2 (UCF -11.5)

UCF heads to Heinz Field to take on the Pitt Panthers, who are coming off a heart breaking loss to Penn State last week. The Knights are flying on offense, but are running into a decent Pitt pass defense. The interesting thing for me in this game is Pitt’s havoc rate (the percentage of plays in which a defense either recorded a tackle for loss, forced a fumble, or intercepted or broken up a pass) is 8th in the country on defense, and UCF is 17th on offense (means they do a good job of avoiding negative plays and turnovers). If Pitt can force some turnovers to steal a couple possessions they could have a shot. It’s unlikely they pull it off, but Go Panthers.

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Oklahoma State Cowboys at Texas Longhorns (#15) - 4:30 PM PST - ABC (Texas -6)

Last year Oklahoma State rolled up 502 yards in a 38-35 win vs Texas. The Pokes head to Austin looking to exploit Texas’ struggles on defense this season to turn this into a shootout and steal one. Texas’ defense is 106th in the country in limiting explosive plays and Chuba Hubbard has been awesome this season. If Mike Gundy’s team pulls this one off I have to hope that WSU rises above a two loss Texas in the polls, Go Fighting Gundy Mullets!

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Tennessee vs. Florida is another one to keep an eye on. The game was close yardage wise last season, even the score was rather lopsided. If the Vols can pull off a shocker, maybe that still opens the door for Utah to entice GameDay into heading to Salt Lake City at the end of September?