Former WSU Players in the College Football Playoff: Who to Root For

We’re down to the final four, with the first game kicking off tonight between Ole Miss and Miami, where Miami enters as a slight favorite. That matchup is followed by a rematch featuring former Pac-12 member Oregon, squaring off against the Indiana Hoosiers—a program in the middle of one of the wildest turnarounds in college football history. Led by likely No. 1 overall NFL Draft pick Fernando Mendoza, Indiana is somehow now a football school, thanks to generous donors and what may be the best coach in college football… and maybe all of football.

So who should Coug fans root for? Honestly, you could make a case for any of these teams—they’re all compelling in their own way. But here’s a look at the former Cougs still playing.

Ole Miss Rebels

Let me just get this out of the way: if you don’t have a connection to any of the other schools, this is who you should be rooting for. Lane Kiffin is great for the sport—he’s unapologetically himself—and the idea of his team falling short yet again before eventually winning a national title somewhere else is objectively hilarious. On top of that, Ole Miss fans were incredibly kind when I visited Oxford this year.

Redshirt Senior WR: De’Zhaun Stribling #1

I’m partial to Stribling for many reasons, mostly because he was an outstanding Coug during his two years in Pullman. He’s part of a balanced passing attack led by D-II transfer Trinidad Chambliss and has shown up in a big way during the playoffs, totaling 12 receptions for 201 yards and a touchdown over the first two games.

Senior Safety: Kapena Gushiken #14

2025–26 Stats: 52 Tackles | 0.5 TFL | 5 PDs | 1 FR

WSU Stats: 25 Games | 88 Tackles | 5 TFL | 1 Sack | 3 INTs | 11 PDs | 1 FR

Another Coug I love rooting for. Against Tulane, Gushiken posted four tackles, a pass breakup, and a fumble recovery. I have immense respect for any player who suited up against Syracuse in last year’s bowl game knowing they wouldn’t be in Pullman the following season—Gushiken included. Wishing him nothing but success.

Miami Hurricanes

Another great story and another team I find myself rooting for, though I’m not entirely sure why. Maybe it’s because I wasn’t old enough to remember their dominant years—or maybe it’s because they knocked out a team I actively root against, even when they’re playing Washington: Ohio State.

Redshirt Sophomore CB: Ethan O’Connor #24

2025–26 Stats: 20 Tackles | 3.5 TFL | 3 PDs

WSU Stats: 13 Games | 32 Tackles | 1 TFL | 4 INTs | 8 PDs

Losing so many players from last year hurt, but losing O’Connor stung especially. He looked like the next great WSU corner and was excellent as a freshman. Like others on this list, he chose to suit up for an undermanned Coug team in the bowl game. Through two playoff games, he has seven tackles and a pass deflection, playing his best football on the biggest stage. A Stribling vs. O’Connor matchup would be must-watch for Coug fans.

Oregon Ducks

I don’t feel quite as warm and fuzzy about Oregon, given their role in dismantling the Pac-12. Still, we had plenty of great battles over the years, and my disdain doesn’t quite reach Washington or USC levels. Plus, Dan Lanning is tough to hate.

Redshirt Senior Kicker: Andrew Boyle #98

2025–26 Stats: 2 Punts | 72 Yards

WSU Stats: 6 Games | 0/1 FG | 2 Punts | 89 Yards

I don’t have much to add here—I barely remember Boyle’s time at WSU, though it seems like he had a couple of solid punts. He doesn’t actively play for Oregon, so unless there’s an injury, you likely won’t see him take the field.

Indiana Hoosiers

As far as I can tell, there are no former Cougs on Indiana’s roster. Still, I can’t help but root for a program that sits near the bottom of the all-time wins list. I’m sure in five years we’ll all be tired of the buzzsaw Curt Cignetti is building in Bloomington, but for now, I’m enjoying every second of it.

Final Predictions

Not that anyone asked, but here’s how I see it playing out.

Indiana takes the rematch against Oregon by two scores. In the first meeting at Autzen, the Hoosiers controlled the line of scrimmage, and without Oregon’s pick-six, that game wasn’t particularly close.

Indiana 31 – Oregon 20

In the other semifinal, Miami’s strong front four will absolutely make life uncomfortable for Trinidad Chambliss. Still, I think Ole Miss’ offense is simply too much for a Miami team that has struggled to score in its first two playoff games—granted, against much better defenses than the Rebels’.

Ole Miss 28 – Miami 24

And frankly, I don’t think either Ole Miss or Miami can hang with this Indiana team. Cignetti caps it off with a national championship and an undefeated season in just his second year.

Absolute madness.

Indiana 35 – Ole Miss 21