4. Washington State
Win Total 5.5
ATS PICK Over
Maybe it was the weird Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl loss to Central Michigan that has everyone spooked.
Washington State has enough talent returning to be every bit as good as the version that went 7-5 in the regular season last year, and it got a big upgrade at quarterback.
Cameron Ward was one of the best all-around playmakers in the FCS last year at Incarnate Word. He’s a great fit for the Cougar attack, the coaching situation is settled – remember, Wazzu won seven games despite the bizarre kerfuffle with former head man Nick Rolovich – and the team is going to pull off a few wins no one sees coming.
Do I think Washington State will beat Wisconsin in Week 2? No. Am I worried that Ward might throw for a gajillion yards against a retooled Badger secondary on a great D that always has problems against high-powered passers? Yeah.
Idaho, Colorado State, Cal. Those three should be wins. At Oregon State, at Stanford, Arizona, at home against Arizona State – Washington State should win two of those four.
All you’re looking for it an upset somewhere, and if Ward really is as good as advertised, it’ll happen – watch out for the home games against Oregon, Utah, and Washington.
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