NCAAF Picks: Arizona Wildcats head coach Rich Rodriguez is known as the Godfather of the spread offense that has become standard operating procedure in today’s college football. Washington State Cougars head coach Mike Leach is credited as the mastermind of the Air Raid passing attack offense that is as unique as his quirky personality.
In a dream coaching matchup of contrasting styles and personalities the Cougars will host the Wildcats at Martin Stadium on Saturday night with kickoff time set for 5 PM ET. Arizona opened as a 3.5-point favorite.
Same Look for Rich Rod
Arizona is 5-1 straight up, 2-4 against the spread, and 2-4 under the total. The Wildcats are coming off a bye week that followed a 28-26 home loss to USC as the Cats missed a potential game winning field goal the gun. It was a bit of reversal from the football Gods who smiled upon Arizona earlier in the year. There has been some revisionist history about Arizona coach Rich Rodriguez and his time in Michigan but Arizona’s rankings of fourth in the nation for total offense and 92nd in the nation for total defense are the type of look that got him run out of Ann Arbor.
Has the Pirate Lost his Sword?
Washington State is 2-5 SU, 3-4 ATS, and 3-4 under the total after a 34-17 loss at Stanford which was followed by an off week. Wazzu ranks eighth in the nation for total offense but 107th for scoring defense. Head coach Mike Leach is suffering through a step back season after leading the Cougs to a bowl last year.
Matchup and Pick
Arizona has struggled to maintain good betting value on the road with just five payouts in their last 16 away matchups. Arizona has gone over the total in 10 out of their last 17 road games.
Washington State has covered the spread in just three out of their last nine home games. The Cougars have gone over the total in 16 out of their last 19 home games.
Washington State has covered the spread in their last two meetings with Arizona and scored a 24-17 upset win last year over the Wildcats as 11 point road dogs. The Wildcats and Cougars have gone over the total in their last three meetings. We’ll call for the home dog upset with Washington State and of course the game to go over the total.
