Home:

Wisconsin

WSU beat the then-ranked No. 19 Wisconsin during the 2022 season. Wisconsin recently hired a new head coach, Luke Fickell. They will be looking for revenge against the Cougs in the Palouse in 2023. It should be WSU’s first tough competition as they play on Sept. 9 in week two. 

Northern Colorado

Northern Colorado has not had success in the past few seasons. They have a recent history of losing. They went 3-8 last season. This will be the third game of the season for WSU on Sept. 16. 

Oregon State

Oregon State is on the rise, a program that went 10-3 in 2022. They ended the season ranked No.17, according to the AP Poll. Quarterback DJ Uiagalelei recently transferred to Oregon State from Clemson. This will be WSU’s first Pac-12 competition when they play on Sept. 23 in week four.

Arizona

Arizona finished 5-7 in 2022. They were ranked just under WSU in the Pac-12 standings at eighth in the Conference. They still have ex-Coug Jayden de Laura as quarterback, coming into Martin Stadium will be a hellish atmosphere for him. They will play on Oct. 14 in week six.

Stanford

Stanford was one of the worst teams in the Pac-12 this last season, just behind Colorado. They finished with a 3-9 record. WSU blew them out in 2022, they were able to beat Stanford 52-14. They also lost their starting quarterback to the NFL draft. They will face off Nov. 4 in week nine. 

Colorado

In the past, Colorado has been the laughing stock of the Pac-12. This has switched in just one season as they hired Deion Sanders as their head coach. Their transfer class is now ranked No.1 in the country. They will have an entirely different look this upcoming season. WSU will play Colorado Nov. 15 in their final home game.

Away:

Colorado State

Colorado State is one of the worst football programs in the nation. They have a history of despair over the last few years. They finished 3-9 near the bottom of their conference. WSU smacked them in 2022 38-7. This will be the season opener for both teams when they play Sept. 2 in week 11.

UCLA

UCLA played well in 2022, bringing relevancy back to the football program. They ended up No.21 in the AP Poll. Chip Kelly and his spread college system are perfect for the team. They will be missing their starting quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson, but will still be good. They play WSU Oct. 7 in week five of the season.

Oregon

Oregon is top-tier talent in the Pac-12. They are stacked head-to-toe in talent on the field, both defensively and offensively. They finished 2022 ranked No. 15. Head coach Dan Lanning has also been a revelation for them, leading them to a 10-3 record in his first year as head coach. Bo Nix will also be in the conversation for Heisman candidacy. WSU will face Oregon on Oct. 21 in week seven. 

Arizona State

Arizona State’s program somewhat fell apart last season as they fired their head coach Herm Edwards mid-season. They finished their season 3-9 and tenth in the Pac-12. Kelly Dillingham will be in his first season as head coach. WSU will play ASU Oct. 28 in week eight.

California

Cal is not a good team, they finished 4-8. Head coach Justin Wilcox is trying to do an entire rebuild of the program. They have star running back Jaydn Ott who will be going into his sophomore year. Other than him, they do not have many bright spots. WSU will play Cal on Nov. 11 in week 10.

Washington

The Apple Cup was not very competitive in 2022 as the University of Washington blew out WSU 51-33. UW finished No.8 in the AP Poll in 2022. Michael Penix Jr. will be one of the highest Heisman candidates and is expected to have a massive season of production. UW will be highly competitive in the AP Poll rankings as they will try to make a playoff push. WSU will play UW Nov. 25 in week 12.