In a matchup that showcases a couple of programs that are nationally ranked in the Top 25, the No. 14 Washington State Cougars (+3) are set to pay a visit to their Pac-12 foe No. 24 Stanford Cardinal (-3) at Stanford Stadium. The game is scheduled to kick off at 7:00 p.m. ET and fans can tune in to the action on Pac-12 Networks.
Washington State Cougars vs. Stanford Cardinal Betting Preview
In this Saturday Pac-12 matchup, Stanford has been labeled as the favorite and the team’s currently giving up 3 points. The Cougars are also receiving +135 moneyline odds while the Cardinal are -155. This Pac-12 tilt should provide several decent live betting opportunities, and Vegas has placed the over/under (O/U) at 55 points.
Both of these teams have been profitable this season as the Cougars have gained 3.0 units while the Cardinal are up 1.1 units.
The Cougars are 6-1 straight up (SU), including 3-1 SU against conference opponents. The Cardinal are 5-2 SU overall and 3-1 SU in conference play.
The Cougars hope to keep things rolling after a 34-20 win over Oregon last week where Gardner Minshew II completed 39-of-51 passes for 323 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions. Max Borghi (40 yards on 10 rushes) and James Williams (53 yards on nine carries, one TD) provided the ground attack in the win while Borghi (seven receptions, 51 yards, one TD) and Williams (seven catches, 42 yards) manned the receiving duties.
The Stanford Cardinal just picked up a 20-13 win over Arizona State. The defensive secondary allowed the Sun Devils to air it out for 353 yards. N’Keal Harry had a good outing in the defeat, recording 91 yards on eight catches for Arizona State. For Stanford, K.J. Costello completed 22-of-29 passes for 231 yards and one touchdown. Trevor Speights (34 rushing yards on 19 attempts) and Bryce Love (21 yards on 11 carries) mounted the ground game in the win as Trenton Irwin (seven receptions, 79 yards) and JJ Arcega-Whiteside (seven catches, 91 yards, one TD) led the pass-catching attack.
Washington State has run the ball on 28.6 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Stanford has an overall rush percentage of 49.2 percent. The Cougars have produced 73 rush yards/game (including 67 per game versus Pac-12 opponents) and have 13 scores via handoffs this year. The Cardinal are averaging 92 rush yards per game (100 in conference) and have seven total rushing TDs.
The Cougars offense has tallied a ridiculous 401 yards per game through the air overall (386 per game against conference opposition) and has 24 passing scores so far. The Cardinal have put up 263 pass yards per contest (280.5 in the Pac-12) and have 13 total pass TDs.
Defensively, Washington State should have the upper hand in both phases. The team has let opponents rush for an average of 135 yards and pass for 178 yards per game. The Stanford defense has allowed 252.1 yards per game to opposing passers and 152.9 yards per game to opposing runners. The Cougars are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 4.52 to opponents, while the Cardinal have given up a 5.67 ANY/A.
Offensively, Minshew II has already amassed 2,315 passing yards this season. The signal-caller has connected on 69 percent of his 324 attempts with 18 scores through the air and six interceptions. Minshew II has a 7.21 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number is 9.26 over the past two outings.
We’re looking for Cougars to control the pace by putting the ball in the hands of their running backs. James Williams (257 rush yards, six rush TDs, 247 receiving yards, two receiving TDs) and Max Borghi (144 rush yards, three rush TDs, 137 receiving yards, two receiving TDs) have delivered in the Washington State offensive scheme.
For the home team, K.J. Costello has managed to complete 110-of-170 passes for 1,461 yards, 12 TDs and four INTs. Costello’s ANY/A sits at 8.09 for the season and 6.97 over his past two games.
The Cardinal also like to utilize their backfield. In addition to JJ Arcega-Whiteside (529 receiving yards, nine receiving TDs), Trenton Irwin (263 receiving yards) and Trevor Speights (136 rush yards, 36 receiving yards) have gotten a multitude of touches recently.
When these two schools met a year ago, Washington State won by a field goal 24-21.
RELATED: Week 9 College Football Betting Odds and Predictions
Free Pick: Washington State Cougars at Stanford Cardinal
SU Winner – Washington State, ATS Winner – Washington State, O/U – Over
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Notes
Team Betting Notes
The Cougars offense has tallied four pass plays of 40 yards or more, while the Cardinal have put up five such plays.
The Washington State defense has allowed six pass plays of 40 or more yards, while Stanford has given up four such plays.
The Washington State offense has created two rushing plays of 20+ yards, while Stanford has created six such runs.
The Cougars defense has allowed 12 rushing plays of 20 yards or more, while the Cardinal have given up 11 such runs.
The Washington State D has sacked opposing QBs 21 times this season. Stanford has produced 18 sacks.
Washington State has averaged 3.0 yards per rush attempt across its last three games and 3.8 over its last two.
Stanford has averaged 2.4 yards per carry over its last three contests and 2.4 over its past two.
Over its last three games, Stanford is 1-2 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
The O/U for Washington State’s previous game going into it was 69.5. The under cashed in the team’s 34-20 win over Oregon.
In its last three matches, Washington State is 3-0 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
The Over/Under for Stanford’s previous matchup was set at 57.5. The under cashed in the 20-13 victory over Arizona State.
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