Explore · Settle the Argument

Settle the Argument.

You've already had it. Now go settle it.

Every card here starts with something fans actually say — then runs it against the same canonical Verdict projection that ranks the board. Matchup Central predicts the game. This settles the argument.

The argument everybody has

“Put them through our schedule and see what happens.”

TRADE SCHEDULES

Swap two schedules, same venues, and run both seasons out. Who was carrying a schedule, and who was being carried by one.

Team
Trade with
WSU
Washington State

Forgiving schedule of their own · Washington's is tough

Was
7-4
On Washington's schedule
5-6
-2 wins
Expected wins now
5.3
Was
7.3
Where it lands
6+45%
WASH
Washington

Tough schedule of their own · Washington State's is forgiving

Was
7-4
On Washington State's schedule
9-2
+1.8 wins
Expected wins now
8.7
Was
6.9
Where it lands
10+29%
11-07%
Who benefits
Washington
+1.8 expected wins

Washington picks up two wins on Washington State's slate.

Who gets hurt
Washington State
−2 expected wins

Washington State gives back two wins on Washington's slate.

The game that changes everything

At Kansas State

Week 2 · Washington State's schedule
WASH
Washington
53%
to win · favored by 1
WSU
Washington State
35%
to win · Kansas State by 7
18-point probability gap

Same opponent, same venue — and 18 points of win probability between Washington and Washington State.

Washington State · toughest games they inherit
At
ORE
Oregon
11%
At
USC
USC
24%
Vs
IND
Indiana
30%
9 games on Washington's slate they would not have played.
Washington · toughest games they inherit
At
KSU
Kansas State
53%
Vs
ARIZ
Arizona
68%
At
SDSU
San Diego State
69%
3 games on Washington State's slate they would not have played.
The record test
Washington State: The record will flatter them · No. 50 strength / No. 31 projected wins
Washington: Record and reality line up · No. 21 strength / No. 28 projected wins
The verdict
Turns out the schedule mattered.

Washington picks up 1.8 wins on Washington State's schedule while Washington State gives back 2.0. That is the schedule talking, not the roster.

Each team is run through the other's exact schedule, same venues. Head-to-head games between the two are set aside so both slates are the same size. 11 of 12 games modeled. Washington State and Washington play each other, so that game is set aside — neither team can inherit itself.

More arguments to settle

2026 Preseason Model · Partial roster evidence · data as of 2026-07-11. QB continuity and verified personnel changes are included. Returning-production and updated coaching data are still pending. Projections are model estimates for analysis, not guarantees.

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