The 1996 Washington State Cougars football team was an American football team that represented Washington State University in the Pacific-10 Conference (Pac-10) during the 1996 NCAA Division I-A football season. Led by eighth-year head coach Mike Price, the Cougars compiled a 5–6 record (3–5 in Pac-10, tied for fifth), and were outscored 317 to 314. In late October, Washington State was at 5–2 (3–1, Pac-10), but lost their final four games, all in conference.