WSU Travels East to Face No. 18 Virginia

Washington State embarks on a 2,500-mile, three–time-zone trip to face No. 18 Virginia on Saturday; the programs have never met and have a home-and-home scheduled for 2025 and 2031. WSU comes off a 24-21 near-upset of No. 5 Mississippi last week and has altered travel routines to cope with the unusually lengthy schedule. Virginia (5-1, undefeated in the ACC) is led by quarterback Chandler Morris and a physical rushing attack that averages 217.5 yards per game, paced by J’Mari Taylor (465 yards, eight TDs, 25 forced missed tackles). Washington State’s defense has a major issue with 102 missed tackles (second-most nationally), with linebackers Caleb Francl and Anthony Palano among the team leaders in misses — a clear liability against Virginia’s run game. The Cougars plan to rely on quick passes, rollouts and improved tackling technique to protect quarterback Zevi, win the turnover battle and try to neutralize Virginia’s trench advantage, with play from Tucker Large and other offensive contributors potentially deciding the outcome.