National Outlet Projects Washington State to 2024 Sun Bowl Against SMU

Joe Londergan | Aug 22, 2024

Sep 9, 2023; Pullman, Washington, USA; Washington State Cougars quarterback John Mateer (10) carries the ball against Wisconsin Badgers safety Travian Blaylock (26) in the second half at Gesa Field at Martin Stadium. Washington State won 31-22. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports / James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

ESPN college football experts Kyle Bonagura and Mark Schlabach released their preseason projections for this upcoming season's slate of college football bowl games.

Both Bonagura and Schlabach project the Washington State Cougars to be selected for the 2024 Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl and face the ACC's SMU Mustangs. That game is scheduled for December 31, 2024 with a scheduled kickoff time of 11 AM PT/2 PM ET on CBS.

WSU are seeking their first postseason game since the 2022 campaign when Jake Dickert led the Cougs to an appearance in the 2022 LA Bowl. Their last postseason win came at the 2018 Alamo Bowl under Mike Leach against Iowa State.

The Cougars have appeared in the Sun Bowl three previous times, with the most recent trip to El Paso coming in 2021. They have a 2-1 record in that bowl game.

WSU and SMU have only faced each other two previous times with the series split at 1-1. The Cougs won in Pullman 30-27 in 2009. SMU won 35-21 in Dallas in the 2010 return trip.

All the recently departed members of the Pac-12, as well as Washington State and Oregon State, are eligible for Pac-12-affiliated bowls this season. The Sun Bowl is one of those bowl games.

The Cougars play the first game of their 2024 campaign on August 31 when they play the Portland State Vikings in Martin Stadium.

Published Aug 22, 2024

JOE LONDERGAN

Joe Londergan joined the SI brand in 2023 with G5 Football Daily. With over 15 years of experience in covering and working directly in college and pro sports, Joe's expertise has been featured in Front Office Sports, SB Nation, and XRAY.FM. He is a member of both the Football Writers' Association of America and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers' Association. Joe holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Louisville and a master's degree in sports administration from Seattle University. Outside of his writing career, Joe enjoys golfing, although he admits that while he hits driver decently, his short game is a liability.