The Fresno State Bulldogs (9-4) take on the Washington State Cougars (7-5) in the Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl on Saturday. Kickoff from SoFi Stadium is at 3:30 p.m. ET (ABC). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the Fresno State vs. Washington State odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.
This game will be a battle of 2 teams that lean heavily on their quarterbacks.
Fresno State QB Jake Haener, a transfer from Washington early in his career, has shown toughness and ability throughout the past 2 seasons with the Bulldogs. From being carted off the field in Sept., he has shown the perseverance to come back and battle with his teammates.
This was shown once again in the Bulldogs’ 28-16 victory over Boise State in the Mountain West championship game. A win that not only got them into this game but also avenged an early season 20-point loss to the same Broncos team.
Washington State QB Cam Ward, a transfer from Incarnate Word University, has led the team to a 7-5 record while competing in the loaded Pac-12 conference. A 51-33 loss to the No.12 Washington Huskies to wrap up the season on Nov. 27 has left a bitter taste in the mouth of the Cougars and they will look to gain retribution Saturday.
Ward came to Washington State with his former head coach Eric Morris as offensive coordinator but will now have to finish his season and career without Morris who just accepted the job as coach of North Texas University. Ward finished the season with 3,094 passing yards, 23 TDs and 8 INTs.
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Fresno State vs. Washington State odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:22 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Fresno State -190 (bet $190 to win $100) | Washington State +160 (bet $100 to win $160)
- Against the spread (ATS): Fresno State -4 (-110) | Washington State +4 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 53 (O: -109 | U: -111)
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Fresno State vs. Washington State picks and predictions
Prediction
Washington State 33, Fresno State 30
Moneyline
BET WASHINGTON STATE (+160).
This will be a difficult game for both teams. Washington State has had some difficulties this season and losing both coordinators before this game also will make things difficult.
Despite this, I like Washington State to win outright making the moneyline a more attractive wager than the spread. Haener is a wonderful player for Fresno State, but he cannot do it alone. I feel like the Cougars’ offense will be just a bit too much for the Bulldogs to handle, so give me WASHINGTON STATE (+160).
Against the spread
PASS.
With the feeling being that the Cougars will win, I would rather make a wager on the moneyline. The Pac-12 is a better conference than the Mountain West and Washington State has been a little more tested than Fresno State throughout the season.
Over/Under
BET OVER 53 (-109).
The outcome depends on the motivation of each team in the game in many bowl games. Neither of these two teams will have opt-outs to worry about and both teams still are humble enough to be happy about being in a bowl game.
Haener will want to finish his career with a win, and the Bulldogs will have to put up quite a few points to outduel the Cougars. This number seems a bit too low for this game and I see it getting to 60. OVER 53 (-109) is my favorite play.
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