In a game that showcases two squads ranked in the Top 16 overall nationally, the No. 7 Washington State Cougars (-3) are gearing up to play host to the No. 16 Washington Huskies at Clarence D. Martin Stadium. The Friday Pac-12 game is scheduled to be televised nationally on FOX and the opening kickoff is slated for 8:30 p.m. ET.
Betting Preview: Washington Huskies at Washington State Cougars
In this Friday Pac-12 game, Washington State is tabbed as the favorite and is currently giving up 3 points. The Huskies are also receiving +135 moneyline odds while the Cougars are -155. Vegas has placed the over/under (O/U) at 54 points. If Washington State gets behind early, it’ll likely result in a solid in-game betting opportunity.
The Huskies are 2-9 against the spread (ATS) and are down 2.3 units so far in 2018. They’ve been a good under bet and have posted an Over-Under record of 3-8.
The surprising Cougars have gained 7.2 units this season. The team is 10-1 ATS and has an O/U record of 6-4.
The Huskies have gone 8-3 straight up (SU), including 6-2 SU against Pac-12 opponents. The Cougars are 10-1 SU overall and 7-1 SU in conference play.
These two schools faced off a year ago with the final result being a 41-14 win for Washington.
The Huskies hope to keep things rolling after a 42-23 win over Oregon State last week. The passing attack was sharp as Jake Browning completed 17 passes on 23 attempts for 242 yards and three touchdowns. Myles Gaskin (135 rushing yards on 18 attempts, one TD) and Salvon Ahmed (76 yards on nine carries, two TDs) led the running attack while Andre Baccellia (four receptions, 28 yards) and Gaskin (four catches, 24 yards, one TD) manned the receiving duties in the win.
Washington State just put together a 69-28 win over Arizona. The defense let the Wildcats pass for 304 yards and four touchdowns while rushing for 127 yards. DeVaughn Cooper was a bright spot in the loss for Arizona, accounting for 97 yards on three catches. For Washington State, Gardner Minshew II completed 43-of-55 passes for 473 yards and seven touchdowns. Max Borghi (50 yards on eight rush attempts, one TD) and James Williams (50 yards on five carries, one TD) handled the running game while Davontavean Martin (seven receptions, 124 yards, one TD) and Borghi (six catches, 65 yards) led the receiving attack in the win.
Washington’s run the ball on 59.5 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Washington State has an overall rush percentage of 28.8 percent. The Huskies have produced 178.4 rush yards per game (including 184.8 per game against Pac-12 opponents) and have 21 scores on the ground this year. The Cougars are averaging 81.8 rush yards per game (82.5 in conference) and have 20 total rushing TDs.
Based on the results this season, it appears that the Huskies may have an edge in terms of RB effectiveness. Their running backs has logged 4.4 yards per carry while their defense is allowing 3.7 yards per rush attempt to opponents. The Cougars have ran for 3.8 yards per carry and allowed a YPC of 3.8 to opponents.
The Huskies offensive scheme has averaged 236.9 yards through the air overall (199.5 per game versus conference opposition) and has 17 passing scores so far. The Cougars have recorded a superb 400.5 pass yards per outing (393 against Pac-12 foes) and have 37 total pass TDs.
Washington has allowed opponents to rush for an average of 127.1 yards and pass for 194.5 yards per game. The Washington State D has given up 206.9 yards per game to opposing passers and 125.5 yards per game on the ground. Both teams allow similar adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) to opponents, as the Huskies have given up an ANY/A of 5.08 to opposing QBs, while the Cougars are allowing an ANY/A of 5.10.
Offensively, Browning has amassed 2,291 passing yards this season. The signal-caller has connected on 65 percent of his 260 attempts with 15 passing scores and eight interceptions. Browning’s got a 7.72 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 8.71 over the last two outings.
The Huskies will likely try to maintain the clock by pounding the defense with their running backs. The tagteam of Myles Gaskin (758 rush yards, six rush TDs, one receiving TD) and Salvon Ahmed (466 rush yards, seven rush TDs, 73 receiving yards) have been significant focal points in the Washington offensive scheme.
In the home locker room, Gardner Minshew II has completed 372-of-520 passes for 3,990 yards, 34 TDs and seven INTs. Minshew II’s ANY/A stands at 8.14 for the season and 8.53 over his last two outings.
The Cougars will also try to control the game’s pace by turning to their backfield. Davontavean Martin (603 receiving yards, eight TDs) has stepped up lately, but Max Borghi (295 rush yards, seven rush TDs, 269 receiving yards, three receiving TDs) and James Williams (427 rush yards, nine rush TDs, 487 receiving yards, four receiving TDs) have seen plenty of action recently.
Washington Huskies at Washington State Cougars Free Prediction
SU Winner: Washington State, ATS Winner: Washington State, O/U: Under
Team Betting Trends
- The Cougars have made 21 pass plays of 30+ yards while the Huskies have produced 17 such plays.
- The Washington defense has allowed zero pass plays of 40+ yards, while Washington State has given up seven such plays.
- The Washington offense has created 19 rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while Washington State has created five such runs.
- The Huskies defense has allowed seven rushing plays of 20 yards or more, while the Cougars have given up 16 such runs.
- The Washington State defensive unit has recorded double the sack total of Washington this season (34 versus 17).
- Washington has produced 4.5 yards per carry over its past three games and 5.2 over its last two.
- Washington State has averaged 4.7 yards per carry over its last three outings and 4.5 over its past two.
- Over its last three matches, Washington State is 2-1 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
- The O/U for Washington’s last game was set at 58.5. The over cashed in the team’s 42-23 win over Oregon State.
- In its last three contests, Washington is 0-3 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
- The O/U for Washington State’s last matchup going into it was 63. The over cashed in the team’s 69-28 victory over Arizona.
