Honestly, if you looked at the box score of the CSU vs Washington State game this past September, you’d probably yawn. A 20-3 slugfest in Fort Collins isn't exactly the kind of "Pac-12 After Dark" chaos we’ve grown to love. But here’s the thing: that game was basically a sneak peek into the future of college football.
We’re currently living through the most chaotic era of conference realignment anyone has ever seen. It’s messy. It’s confusing. And right at the center of it are the Colorado State Rams and the Washington State Cougars. These two schools are about to become very close roommates in a "new" Pac-12 starting in 2026.
The 2025 matchup at Canvas Stadium wasn't just another non-conference game. It was a litmus test. Washington State came in with a new identity under Jimmy Rogers—who took over after Jake Dickert headed to Wake Forest—and they looked like the more physical team. CSU, meanwhile, is still trying to find that "Air Raid" magic Jay Norvell promised when he brought half of Reno with him to Fort Collins.
The 2025 Clash: Defense Wins (Boring) Games
Let’s talk about that September 27th game.
CSU started hot. Isaiah Hankins nailed a 50-yard field goal on the opening drive. The crowd was into it. But then? Total silence. Washington State’s defense turned into a brick wall.
The Rams' remaining drives were a disaster:
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- Punt
- Fumble
- Punt
- Turnover on downs
- Missed field goal
- Two more turnovers on downs
- A blocked field goal to put the nail in the coffin
Zevi Eckhaus, the WSU quarterback, didn't need to be a superhero. He just needed to be efficient. He threw for 189 yards and two scores, hitting Jeremiah Noga for a 35-yarder that shifted the momentum for good. By halftime, it was 20-3. That ended up being the final score because both offenses spent the second half tripping over their own feet.
But for WSU, it was a statement. Despite losing their coach and several stars to the transfer portal (including QB John Mateer going to Oklahoma), the Cougars showed they aren't just "leftover" scraps from the old Pac-12. They’re still a problem.
A History of Heartbreak and High Scores
Before these teams became conference siblings-to-be, they had some absolute bangers.
If you want to talk about the peak of the CSU vs Washington State series, you have to go back to the 2013 New Mexico Bowl. That game was pure, unadulterated insanity. CSU won 48-45 in a comeback that still haunts Pullman. The Rams scored 18 points in the final four minutes. I’m not kidding. Fumbles, onside kicks, pure desperation—it had everything.
Recently, though, the Cougars have had the Rams' number.
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- 2022: WSU 38, CSU 7
- 2023: WSU 50, CSU 24
- 2025: WSU 20, CSU 3
That’s a three-game winning streak for Washington State with a combined score of 108-34. If Jay Norvell wants to lead CSU into the new Pac-12 with any kind of authority, he has to figure out how to beat these guys. The "mirror image" coaching styles—both programs leaning heavily into the Air Raid and 4-2-5 defensive schemes—usually favors the team with the better athletes. Lately, that’s been WSU.
The Basketball Breakdown: A Different Story
It’s funny how different the vibes are on the hardwood.
While WSU dominates the football field, Colorado State has historically been the "big brother" in basketball. In their most recent high-stakes meeting—November 27, 2025, in the Bahamas—the Rams took a 76-70 win.
Nique Clifford has been an absolute beast for CSU. In the 2024-2025 season, the guy averaged nearly 19 points and 10 rebounds. Think about that. A guard-forward hybrid pulling down double-digit boards every night. WSU struggled to contain him, and that’s been the theme. The Rams play a brand of basketball that is just... gritty. It’s hard to play against.
WSU has had its moments, like their 78-69 win in Pullman back in early 2024, but the historical trend leans green. CSU leads the all-time basketball series 9-1. That’s not a rivalry; that’s a lopsided affair.
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Why 2026 Changes Everything
We can't talk about CSU vs Washington State without talking about the "Pac-6" turning back into the Pac-12.
Boise State, San Diego State, Fresno State, and CSU are all jumping ship from the Mountain West to join the "Pac-2" (WSU and Oregon State) in July 2026. This transforms a casual non-conference series into a mandatory annual bloodbath.
For Washington State, it’s about survival. They were the ones left standing when the music stopped in 2024. For Colorado State, it’s about finally getting that seat at the "big" table they’ve been craving for decades.
The stakes for these games are about to skyrocket. We’re moving away from "hey, let's play a game in September" to "this game decides who goes to the Rose Bowl (or whatever the Pac-12's new tie-in becomes)."
What You Should Watch For Next
If you’re a fan or a bettor looking at this matchup, there are a few things that actually matter:
- The Trench Gap: In the last few football games, WSU’s defensive line has lived in the CSU backfield. In 2025, they had four sacks and nine tackles for loss. Until CSU can block the Cougars' front four, the score doesn't matter—the outcome is already decided.
- The "Air Raid" Evolution: Both teams claim to be Air Raid, but WSU is becoming more balanced under Rogers. CSU is still very pass-heavy. Watch how weather impacts these games, especially when they move to November in Pullman or Fort Collins.
- Recruiting Overlap: Now that they are in the same conference, they are fighting for the same 3-star recruits in California and Texas. Every win on the field is a recruiting pitch.
Next Steps for Fans:
Keep an eye on the transfer portal this spring. WSU is rebuilding their roster from scratch after the coaching exodus, while CSU is trying to retain veterans like Kyan Evans and Jalen Lake on the basketball side. The 2026 schedule reveal will be the next big milestone—mark your calendars for the first "official" conference game between these two. It’s going to be a lot more intense than a 20-3 snoozefest.