The WSU bowl predictions point to San Antonio, but what kind of new devilry is this?

PULLMAN – The Washington State bowl game predictions are starting to come together after seven weeks. But do some media forecasters know something the rest of us don’t?

The old Pac-12 bowl rules also apply this year: WSU and OSU – plus the ten that left the Pac-12 – continue to operate under the old conference bowl system. But the powers that be never said publicly how the hell that would work… First of all, how do you determine bowl slots with teams in three conferences while WSU and OSU are technically not in a conference?

What we do know is that the Cougs are 6-1 and are officially eligible to bowl. And Wazzu is currently the favorite in all remaining games.

Here is a selection of the updated media predictions as of press time where prognosticators see the Cougs this postseason.

• ESPN’s Mark Schlabach and Kyle Bonagura have the Cougars traveling to San Antonio to face Kansas State in the Alamo Bowl on Dec. 28.
• CBS’ Jerry Palm has the same scenario between the Cougars and Wildcats at the Alamo, and so does 247Sports’ Brad Crawford.
• Patrick Andres of Sports Illustrated has the Cougars facing Missouri in the Las Vegas Bowl on December 27th.
• Action Network’s Brett McMurphy also has the Cougars traveling to Sin City, but with SMU as their opponent.
• Bleacher Report’s David Kenyon has the Cougars facing UNLV in the LA Bowl on December 18th.
• Jon Wilner of the Mercury News predicts that Wazzu will play in the Alamo Bowl.
• Erick Smith of USA Today has the Cougars in the Alamo Bowl but will face BYU.
• Steven Lassan of Athlon Sports also has WSU at the Alamo facing BYU.

That’s why most people agree on the Alamo Bowl. But there are still differing opinions… and it is indeed confusing that McMurphy and Andres both have UW in the Alamo Bowl ahead of Washington State, while Kenyon Southern has Cal ahead of Wazzu.

The Trojans (3-4/1-4 Big Ten) and Huskies (4-3/2-2) are anything but guaranteed to score at all in the remaining schedules (particularly UW). And it would seem strange at best and downright bizarre at worst if either were selected for a more prestigious bowl, say, at 6-6 versus an 11-1, 10-2, or even a 9-3 Wazzu- Team.

Related: BECU Cougar Player of the Week: Ansel Din-Mbuh

THE DREAM SCENARIO FOR The Cougars remain the 12-team playoff team, but the likelihood is quickly fading, at least according to one source. Even if Wazzu tops the table and finishes 11-1, a spot in the playoff field still might not be in sight. According to the latest ESPN Playoff Predictor, Wazzu only has a 13 percent chance of making it to the first expanded CFB playoffs.

ESPN says even if the Cougars win their three toughest remaining games – classified as away games at San Diego State, Oregon State and New Mexico – their chances only increase to 34 percent, and the chance of hosting the Cougars is just four percent first Round. Last week, those numbers were 62 and 16 percent, respectively.

In the scenario where WSU makes the playoffs, the forecast has the Cougars seeded No. 9 and playing at No. 8 seed Penn State. The Cougars are expected to win their final three road games and take care of business in home games against Utah State and Wyoming.

While a team with two losses is likely to advance to the expanded playoffs for the first time, Wazzu needs to top the standings to have even a slim chance. If the Cougars lose a game, their projected odds drop below 1 percent.

So all signs point to “Remember the Alamo!” and/or “Alamo or bust!” For Cougar fans…at least that’s the outlook for Week 8.

BECU is the official credit union of Cougfan.com. Click this box to secure your Cougar-themed credit or debit card today!