In terms of sheer positive sentiment, Washington State may be the most popular team in the country this season outside of Boulder, Colo.
The Cougars have jumped out to a 4–0 start in their presumptive final year in the Pac-12 Conference, dispatching ranked Wisconsin and Oregon State teams in the process. Coach Jake Dickert, meanwhile, has garnered kudos for his irreverent attitude toward college football’s establishment—particularly ESPN.
On Saturday, College GameDay panelist and former West Virginia kicker Pat McAfee harshly criticized Dickert and former Washington State quarterback Ryan Leaf for shots they took at ESPN after the Cougars beat the Beavers on Sept. 23.