The Air Raid attack of the Washington State Cougars will look to set its sights on the winless Nevada Wolf Pack on Saturday when the programs meet for the first time since 2014. Mike Leach was in his third season at the helm in Pullman when his kids dropped a 24-13 decision in Reno. Now with his Air Raid attack running at full speed, he’ll have his kids ready to avenge that defeat and close out the non-conference slate in style.
Kickoff for this regular season Week 4 game is set for Saturday, September 23, 2017, at 6 p.m. ET at Martin Stadium. This game will be broadcast live on the Pac-12 Network.
College Football Opening Odds at BookMaker.eu
Nevada +26
Washington State -26
O/U 60.5
Odds Analysis
Since coming up with a cover as 24-point underdogs in their season opener at Northwestern, the Wolf Pack has gone on to lose each of its next two games. The most recent was an embarrassing 30-28 outright defeat to Idaho State, a team they went off the board favored to beat by 32.5-points! Needless to say, the betting public wants nothing to do with this stinky pile of garbage evidenced by over 78 percent of the betting handle riding the home based Cougars. The line has since bumped up to -28 and it wouldn’t be surprising in the least to see it reach the 30-point plateau as well.
Sharps quickly jumped on the total at the open bumping it up to 67.5 after opening a touchdown lower. Clearly a bad line, or was it? Nevada’s offense has left much to be desired through its first three games, and Wazzu might just be content to milk as much clock as possible before turning its attention to a much bigger game lined up next week.
Key Matchup
Nevada has been a sieve against both the run and the pass this season. It’s conceded just under 285 passing yards ( No. 105 ) and just under 155 rushing yards ( No. 81 ) per game. Washington State can pretty much do as it pleases in this one. However, the Cougars rushing attack hasn’t been the greatest so this matchup gives Leach’s stable of backs an opportunity to see if they can turn it around.
It makes absolutely no sense for Luke Falk to go out and torch this defense. He needs to get something from his ground game in Pac-12 play if the Cougars are to unseat in-state rival Washington as the division champs. Look for James Williams and Jamal Morrow to ultimately decide if Wazzu is able to reel the team in their second cover of the season.
Look-ahead Situation
It’s safe to say Nevada has no shot of winning this game. Provided Washington State’s pertinent contributors all remain healthy. With that, why go all out when you got a huge tilt set to go in this same venue next Friday night against the USC Trojans? The Mad Professor knows full well that this tune-up means absolutely nothing in the grand scheme of things. The team just flexed its offensive muscles in a 52-23 beat down of Oregon State in their Pac-12 opener. No need to go all out here against a Nevada team it can take down simply by just going through the motions.
Free ATS Pick
Jay Norvell needs to get an effort from his kids like the one he got in the season opener at Northwestern. His club held a 17-7 lead at the half before the wheels fell off. He’s decided to go with true freshmen Kaymen Cureton under center for this matchup. Though he threw a pick and fumbled the ball four times last week, Nevada recovered each time, he went on to complete 58 percent of his passes for 205 yards and three touchdowns. That’s the kind of production you want to see from an underdog getting a ton of points against an opponent that likely won’t have their starters in when it matters most. Gimme the points with Wazzu looking ahead towards USC.
College Football Odds: Cougars 41, Wolf Pack 24
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