Washington State Cougars quarterback Cameron Ward. Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Washington State receives a little preseason love in coaches poll

By Brandon Willman | Last updated 8/8/23

Amidst the collapse of the Pac-12 Conference, Washington State was one of many teams that received votes in the preseason USA Today AFCA Coaches Poll.

Yes, it was only four votes, but the Cougars need all the good vibes they can get after an avalanche of bad news. A Pac-12 president reportedly contacted a Big 12 president recently and asked if the conference "could take all of us" — except Oregon State and Washington State.

Washington State finished the 2022 season 7-6, including a loss in the LA Bowl, but improved over the offseason. Quarterback Cam Ward, a potential first-round draft pick, had an entire offseason with his receivers and attended several camps over the summer to get ready for the new year.

Per Greg Woods of the Spokesman-Review, Ward said his drop-back passing has improved since last season and that he feels like a new quarterback.

Cameron Ward has been putting in WORK this off-season.

Ward has reportedly improved "tremendously" since last season and is expecting a big year with the Cougars.

Ward already has 102 TD's throughout his college career and still has one year left.

Several NFL scouts reportedly… pic.twitter.com/Wm5BnpQSom
— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) June 14, 2023

Impacting their early-season ranking is the fact WSU nearly cracked the poll last season on numerous occasions. The Cougars started the season 3-0, including a win over No. 19 Wisconsin on its home field. A 44-41 loss against No. 15 Oregon was the difference between Washington State finding itself in the rankings and staying out.

The Cougars never found their footing again after the loss against the Ducks, but optimism is high with Ward and Co. this season.

With early marquee matchups before week 6 -- including at home against Wisconsin and Oregon State and on the road against UCLA -- it's possible Washington State could prove those four voters right.

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