Led by fourth-year head coach Jim Sweeney, they compiled a 4–7 record (2–5 in Pac-8, seventh), and were outscored 286 to 246.

[3][4][5] The Cougars defeated tenth-ranked Stanford, the defending and future Rose Bowl champions, in Palo Alto on October 23,[6][7][8] but lost their third straight Apple Cup.

[9][10] Washington State did not play the Battle of the Palouse in 1971, and neighbor Idaho had their best season to date, winning eight consecutive games.

Due to the fire damage to Rogers Field in Pullman in April 1970,[11] the Cougars played their entire home schedule eighty miles (130 km) north of campus at Joe Albi Stadium in Spokane in 1970 and 1971.

[12] [2][14] Four Washington State seniors were named to the All-Pacific-8 team: halfback Bernard Jackson, guard Steve Busch, cornerback Ron Mims, and placekicker Don Sweet.