Two offenses with nearly opposite run-pass playing styles, the No. 8 Washington State Cougars (-10) are prepared to face the Arizona Wildcats at Clarence D. Martin Stadium. This pivotal Pac-12 game kicks off at 10:30 p.m. ET and ESPN is in line to broadcast the action. When the two teams faced each other a year ago, Arizona won by three touchdowns 58-37.
Arizona Wildcats at Washington State Cougars Betting Preview
The Wildcats enter into this Saturday Pac-12 game as a significant underdog and they’re currently receiving 10 points. In order to take the home favorite, moneyline bettors would currently have to lay down $400 to win $100 back on the Cougars (-400). The Wildcats are getting +300 moneyline odds. Should one squad gets out in front early it’ll produce a nice in-game betting opportunity. Vegas has determined the over/under (O/U) to be 60.5 points.
The Wildcats are down 3.0 units so far and 6-4 against the spread (ATS). They’ve been a good under bet and have posted an O/U record of 2-7. The Cougars have been a pleasant surprise for moneyline bettors this season, gaining 6.2 units. They’re 9-1 ATS and own an O/U record of 5-4.
The Wildcats are 5-5 straight up (SU), including 4-3 SU against conference opponents. The Cougars are 9-1 SU overall and 6-1 SU in conference play.
The Wildcats made it two in a row after a 42-34 win over Colorado on November 2. Khalil Tate completed 17-of-22 passes for 350 yards, five touchdowns and one interception. J.J. Taylor (192 rushing yards on 40 attempts) led the running attack. Shun Brown (five receptions, 57 yards, one TD) and DeVaughn Cooper (three catches, 63 yards) shared the receiving duties in the win.
Washington State enters this one after just earning a blowout 31-7 win over Colorado. The Cougars defense did its duty in the victory, keeping the Buffaloes to just 222 passing yards and 75 yards on the ground. Laviska Shenault Jr. was a bright spot in the loss, recording 102 yards on 10 catches for Colorado. For Washington State, Gardner Minshew II completed 35-of-58 passes for 335 yards and two touchdowns. James Williams (60 yards on 17 rush attempts, one TD) mounted the running game as Dezmon Patmon (eight receptions, 103 yards) and Williams (five catches, 43 yards) led the receiving corps in the win.
Arizona has run the ball on 56.6 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Washington State has a rush percentage of 28.8 percent. The Wildcats have produced 206 rush yards per game (including 217 per game against Pac-12 opponents) and have 13 touchdowns on the ground this year. The Cougars are logging 78 rushing yards per game (77 in conference) and have 18 total rush TDs.
The Wildcats offensive scheme has tallied 248 yards/contest through the air overall (220 per game versus conference opposition) and has 22 passing scores so far. The Cougars have recorded a superb 392 pass yards per outing (380.0 in the Pac-12) and have 30 total pass TDs.
Defensively, Arizona has allowed 169 rush yards and 249 pass yards per game. The Washington State D has allowed 197.2 yards per game to opposing passers and 125.4 yards per game to opposing runners. The Cougars are giving up an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 4.79 to opposing QBs, while the Wildcats have allowed a 6.49 ANY/A.
Passing-wise, Tate has put up 1,765 yards this season. He’s connected on 56 percent of his 200 attempts with 16 passing scores and only five interceptions. Tate’s got a pristine 8.67 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 10.12 over the last two outings.
In the home locker room, Gardner Minshew II has managed to complete 329-of-472 passes for 3,518 yards, 28 TDs and six INTs. Minshew II’s ANY/A sits at 7.89 for the year and 6.16 across his past two games.
RELATED: Week 12 College Football Betting Odds and Predictions
Betting Prediction: Arizona Wildcats at Washington State Cougars
SU Winner – Washington State, ATS Winner – Washington State, O/U – Over
Click Here to Start Betting Today!
Notes
Betting Notes
The Wildcats offense has created 10 pass plays of 40+ yards, while the Cougars have put up six such plays.
Both teams have allowed six pass plays of 40+ yards. The Arizona defense has given up 10 pass plays of 30+ yards while Washington State has permitted 11 such plays.
The Arizona offense has created 16 rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while Washington State has created three such runs.
The Wildcats defense has allowed 16 rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Cougars have given up 15 such runs.
The Washington State defensive unit has recorded 30 sacks on the year while Arizona has just 21.
Arizona has rushed for 5.7 yards per attempt over its past three outings and 5.0 over its last two.
Washington State has averaged 4.0 yards per carry over its last three contests and 4.4 over its past two.
In its last three matches, Washington State is 2-1 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
The O/U for Arizona’s previous game was set at 56.5. The over cashed in the team’s 42-34 victory over Colorado.
In its last three matchups, Arizona is 3-0 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
The Over/Under for Washington State’s previous matchup was set at 58.5. The under cashed in that 31-7 triumph over Colorado.
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