CollegeFootballDigestfrom CooperSearch

Washington State vs. BYU

Friday, December 18, 1981, Holiday Bowl

No. 14 BYU beat No. 20 Washington State 38–⁠36. It was their first meeting; after it, BYU led the series 1–⁠0.

Neutral site20Washington State8–⁠3–⁠1 in 1981
36
Neutral site14BYU11–⁠2 in 1981
38

FinalTV: ESPN, MizlouAttendance 52,419Payout $286,179 per team (Wikipedia)Referee: Jack Gatto (PCAA)

MVPs Jim McMahon (QB, BYU); Kyle Whittingham (LB, BYU)Wikipedia

Before kickoff

Our ratings going in

Our ratings (scores only)

BYU 74% to win. Elo’s favorite won.

The series

Every Washington State–BYU game

BYU leads 4–⁠1 in five meetings, counting the four since this game.

Recent meetings
2021BYU 21, Washington State 19
2012BYU 30, Washington State 6
1990BYU 50, Washington State 36
1989Washington State 46, BYU 41
1981BYU 38, Washington State 36Holiday Bowl

Around this game

Washington State

BYU