The Stanford Cardinal will try and bounce back from a humiliating loss as they host the Washington State Cougars on Saturday night in Week 6 college football action on ESPN. The Cardinal were routed last week 44-6 by Washington while the Cougars rolled over Oregon. Even though Stanford lost badly last week they are still listed as a 7.5-point favorite against Washington State. History could be on the side of the Cardinal as they have lost two straight games just once since 2010.
This matchup in Week 6 of the regular season will take place on Saturday, October 8, 2016, at 10:30 p.m. ET at Stanford Stadium.
College Football Odds at BookMaker.eu
Washington State +7.5
Stanford -7.5
Over/Under 57
Odds Analysis
This line opened with Stanford listed as a 9.5-point favorite and the wiseguys jumped all over this number as they immediately took it down to 8 on Sunday night and then on Monday the line dropped to 7.5. The number briefly dropped to 7 but was quickly bet back up to 7.5.
It is unlikely that this number will go down to 7 since that number was quickly gobbled up when it was briefly offered. If the line moves at all it may go back up and close at 8 or 8.5.
The total on this game opened at 56.5 and it has been bet up to 57. There is only one way this total is going and that is higher. Washington State has no defense and this year’s Stanford defense is nowhere near past versions. It would not be a surprise if this total approached 60 before Saturday.
Matchup to Watch
Whether Washington State can cover this spread or not depends on their offense keeping the game close. There is no doubt that Stanford is going to score as they have Christian McCaffrey going against a rotten Washington State defense so this game comes down to the Cougars offense against the Stanford defense.
Last week the Cardinal had all kinds of trouble against Washington and now they get the “Air Raid” attack of Washington State. The Cougars scored 51 points last week in a win over Oregon as Luke Falk threw for 371 yards and Washington State ran for 280 yards.
One thing you can look for if the Cougars are in field goal range that they may be going for it on fourth down. Washington State’s special teams have been awful and head coach Mike Leach has said he won’t be shy about going for it on fourth down.
“I’m more inclined to go for it more on fourth down, which I kinda was anyway,” Leach said.
Key Stat
Washington State has been and excellent team to bet in Pac-12 games of late as they are 9-1 ATS in their last ten conference games. The Cougars have also been good on the road going 6-1 ATS in their last seven games. The road team is 5-2 ATS in their last seven meetings.
Something has to give in this game as Stanford is 38-17-1 ATS in their last 56 conference games and they are 40-18 ATS in their last 58 home games.
The Cardinal have won eight straight in this series against Washington State but they were lucky to get out of Pullman last year with a win as Washington State missed a 43-yard field goal as time ran out. The last time Washington State played at Stanford Stadium was in 2014 when they lost 34-17.
Washington State has gone under in 7 of their last 10 games. 38 of the last 56 games for Stanford in the month of October have gone under. Four of the last five meetings in this series have gone under.
Free ATS Pick
The wiseguys seem to know what is going on in this game as they immediately took the points with Washington State. The Cardinal simply don’t look to be as good as they were last year and last week’s loss at Washington was simply shocking.
The Cougars nearly won at home last year against a better Stanford team and I expect them to keep this game close and have a chance to win on Saturday night. I will take the points with the Cougars in this game and also play the game over the total.
College Football Odds: Cougars 35, Cardinal 32
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