WSU cracks AP top 25 in advance of ESPN GameDay vs. Oregon

The matchup between the Washington State Cougars and Oregon Ducks that will be featured by ESPN’s College GameDay this weekend just got a little sexier: The Cougs are ranked for the first time this season, debuting in the Associated Press poll at No. 25. They also are ranked No. 23 in the USA Today coaches poll.

The Ducks, meanwhile, jumped five spots to No. 12 after their overtime win against the Washington Huskies on Saturday.

The Cougars, of course, didn’t play this weekend, and they benefited from losses by the previously No. 16 Miami Hurricanes, No. 19 Colorado Buffaloes and No. 21 Auburn Tigers.

This is the fourth consecutive season in which WSU has been ranked in the AP poll, the first time that has happened in program history. This will be the first time WSU and Oregon have met as ranked teams since 2003, when the No. 21 Cougars whipped the No. 10 Ducks 55-16 at Autzen Stadium.

Perhaps history can repeat itself at Martin Stadium. It’s already a pretty good bet that the Cougars won’t be intimidated given their three-game win streak over the Ducks.

The only other ranked Pac-12 team is the Washington Huskies, which dropped eight spots to No. 15 after their loss.