College Football Predictions: Will Washington State cover vs. Cal?
Is No. 8 Washington State going to be able to keep up its hot streak when it hits the road to face California tonight at 10:30PM ET? Here’s our College Football Predictions for this one.
ODDS
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, Washington State is favored on the road, as the Cougars are getting odds of -16.5 points against Cal. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 53.5 points. Cal has won eight of its last 10 meetings with Washington State, but the Cougars are 3-1 against the spread in their last four against the Bears. Tonight’s game takes place from Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, California. The contest airs live on ESPN.
WASHINGTON STATE
Washington State is off to a 6-0 start following a 33-10 win at Oregon last week. The Cougars are 3-0 in the Pac-12 and 4-2 against the cover, covering in their last four games. Washington State’s defense has been surprisingly good this year, as the Cougars are giving up just 18.5 points and 275.5 yards per game. Their pass defense is allowing only 146.3 yards per contest. On offense, WSU is averaging 39.7 points and 474.7 yards per game. Luke Falk has thrown for 2,000 yards and 19 touchdowns with just two interceptions, continuing the trend of great Mike Leach-quarterbacks. Tavares Martin Jr. is the leading receiver with 34 catches for 464 yards and seven touchdowns.
CALIFORNIA
Cal has lost three straight coming into Friday’s game. The Golden Bears have fallen to 3-3 on the season and 0-3 in the Pac-12. Cal is 3-3 against the spread on the season, but the Bears have failed to cover their last two. Cal has struggled somewhat on defense, allowing 29.8 points and 436.5 yards per game this season. Offensively, the Bears are putting up just 24.3 points and 345.2 yards per contest. Ross Bowers has thrown for 1,437 yards and nine touchdowns, but also has eight interceptions. Patrick Laird has added 400 rushing yards with four touchdowns.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREDICTIONS
I keep expecting Washington State to have that letdown performance, but it hasn’t been coming. I thought hosting USC on the national stage would be too much and it covered. Then I expected an emotional letdown when it went to Oregon and they played their best game yet. Washington State looks to be for real and the trends back them to cover tonight as well. Washington State is 15-6 ATS in its last 21 conference games while Cal is just 2-6 ATS in its last 8 conference games and 2-7 ATS in its last 9 against a winning team. Go with the Cougars to keep riding the wave.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREDICTIONS: WASHINGTON STATE -16.5
