In its seventh season under head coach Don James, the team compiled a 10–2 record, finished first in the Pacific-10 Conference, shut out Iowa in the Rose Bowl,[1][2][3] and outscored its opponents 281 to 171.

[4] Linebacker Mark Jerue was selected as the team's most valuable player; Jerue, James Carter, Vince Coby, and Fletcher Jenkins were the team captains.

[17] The Cougars entered the Apple Cup with an 8–1–1 record and a road win over Washington at Husky Stadium would clinch the Pac-10 title and a Rose Bowl berth, WSU's first bowl game in 51 years.

[21][22] The Huskies prevailed at home, 23–10, for their eighth straight win over the Cougs,[23][24] who were invited to the Holiday Bowl.

[25] Conference leader UCLA lost by a point to rival USC, which gave Washington the Pac-10 title and Rose Bowl berth;[26] the top five teams in the Pac-10 had two losses each in league play.