Momentum is perhaps one of the most underrated factors that can change the course of a football season.
It’s also maybe the most difficult to harness.
Case in point: In 2016, Washington State lost two games, then caught lightning in a bottle and went on an eight-game win streak. Colorado put an end to that in November, and the Cougars never regained momentum, losing the Apple Cup in Pullman and then losing the Holiday Bowl to Minnesota.
This year, aided by five-straight home games to start the year, WSU’s momentum – and its national ranking – peaked in the victory over Oregon that vaulted them to No.