Boise State Broncos (1-0 SU, 0-0-1 ATS) at No. 24 Washington State Cougars (1-0 SU, 0-1 ATS)
College Football Week 2
Date/Time: Saturday, September 9, 10:30PM EST (7:30PM PST)
Where: Martin Stadium, Pullman, WA.
TV: ESPN
by Wilson, NCAA Football Handicapper, Predictem.com
Point Spread: BSU +10.5/WSU -10.5
Over/Under Total: 58.5
The Washington State Cougars host the Boise State Broncos this weekend in Pullman Washington. This contest should be tilted in WSUs favor for a couple of reasons. First, WSU is seeking revenge after suffering a 31-28 loss at Boise State on September 10, 2016 last season. Second, Luke Falk returns for what seems like his 10th year in the Pac 12 but all joking aside, Falk is once again the more experienced, relaxed, Heisman caliber QB with a more balanced offensive attack at his leisure. Both QBs will be back to face each other again however there appears to be a QB battle going on in the Broncos regime. BSU Head Coach, Bryan Harsin said Brett Rypien will still be the starting QB for the Broncos with the scheme of using Montell Cozart for special situations. The concerns of QB issues at BSU are mainly due to the poor play and lack of game experience from the O-Line. Rypien was sacked three times and failed to complete a sure TD pass when pressured against Troy last week. Thus, Cozart, the QB transfer from Kansas, has a much better ability to run the ball which brings a variety of options to the offense especially sense the O-Line is weak. With Rypien perhaps in the hot seat, mainly with the fans (who were chanting more Cozart, less Rypien) it will be interesting to see how BSU prepares their two QBs for the Washington State game. Both teams won their openers last week (BSU 24-13 over Troy, and WSU 31-0 over Montana State).
The Cougars are coming off their first opening game win under Head Coach Mike LeachI know, its hard to believe but that is the truththe Cougs most recently dropped their FCS opponent openers to Portland State two years ago and last year they lost to Eastern Washington University in the opener. Third time is a charm! Finally, WSU gets the mid-major monkey off their backs and puts up a shutout win 31-0 over Montana State. Okay, its Montana State but hey, the Cougs will take the W! On a side note, they didnt cover the 38 points but they got the job done regardless of the spread.
Offensively, Washington State looks really balanced with the pass and the run. In fact, they just might be stronger with the running attack than their traditional Air Raid passing arsenal. In previous years teams have been able to figure out WSUs schemes mainly because they didnt have a running game. This year and towards the end of last season that all changed when WSU running backs started getting more touches. Between the running of Jamal Morrow, James Williams (who also pulled in 13 passes out of the backfield) and Gerard Wicks the Cougs managed to mix it up well enough for Luke Falk to complete his first 20 passes in route to a Falk-like night finishing 33 of 39 for 311 yards and three touchdowns. Falk hit ten different receivers throughout the contest and got better as the game went on, eventually leaving the game to allow reps for his backup. It is nice to see teams like Montana State at least hanging in there with Pac 12 athletes but over the course of the game it was obvious which team was more dominant–WSU.
Boise States O-Line will have their hands full with WSUs defense period! The Cougs had eight tackles for loss, three sacks, and one interception against the Bobcatssure, Boise State is a stronger opponent but even so, the Cougs defense is solid this year and they will apply pressure on QBs especially with such a weak line on BSUs side. BSUs starting QB Brett Rypien will need way better protection this week if he wants to stay in the game as his backup Cozart proved to be impressive against the rush with his ability to get of the pocket and make things happen. .
I like the Cougars to cover at home. Cougs win 35-20.
Wilson’s Pick to Cover the Point Spread: The Cougars cover and win. Luck to ya.
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