College Football

Washington State vs Utah State 9/4/21 College Football Picks, Odds, Predictions

Utah State Aggies (0-0) vs. Washington State Cougars (0-0)
September 4, 2021 11:00 pm EDT
The Line: Washington State Cougars -16.5 / Utah State Aggies +16.5; Over/Under: 66.5
(Get latest betting odds)

The Washington State Cougars meet the Utah State Aggies Saturday in week 1 college football action at Martin Stadium. The Utah State Aggies are coming off a 1-5 season and begin the Blake Anderson coaching era. The Washington State Cougars finished 1-3 last season and enter the first full year under coach Nick Rolovich.

The Utah State Aggies averaged 15.5 points and 275.8 yards per game last season. Utah State allowed an average of 35.2 points and 485.3 yards per game last season. Andrew Peasley should takeover at quarterback after 69 pass attempts last season and four touchdowns. Peasley also rushed for nearly 200 yards and a touchdown. Deven Thompkins and Justin McGriff is a returning wide receiver duo that combined for 400 yards and three touchdowns. Defensively, AJ Vongphachanh is back after leading Utah State with 50 tackles, Nick Heninger had three sacks and Luke Marion had one interception. Utah State should be much improved defensively with majority of its key players returning. Utah State was brutal defensively last year, which ranked 120th in total yards allowed per game. Peasley also needs to be an improvement at quarterback over Jason Shelley.

The Washington State Cougars averaged 27 points and 384 yards per game last season. Washington State allowed an average of 38.5 points and 461.8 yards per game last season. Jayden de Laura returns at quarterback after throwing for 800 yards and five touchdowns. Deon McIntosh returns after leading Washington State with 300 rushing yards and three touchdowns while Travell Harris and Renard Bell is a receiving duo that combined for 600 yards and four touchdowns. Defensively, Daniel Isom is back after leading Washington State with 32 tackles, Ron Stone Jr. had 1.5 sacks and Jahad Woods had one interception. Washington State returns all of its key players from last season and could take a major leap if de Laura builds on his freshman year. Washington State should also have one of the better offensive lines in the PAC-12 thanks to Abraham Lucas, who is a legit first round prospect for the 2022 NFL draft.

The Utah State Aggies weren’t a good football team last season and it’s hard to back them with how their defense looked. Utah State has to be much better defensively if it can be backed confidently against respectable teams. The Washington State Cougars has issues they have to figure out as well, but they’re more than solid offensively, have a first round pick on their offensive line and de Laura oozes with potential. I’m just not all that high on Utah State unless that defense massively improves. Give me Washington State in a comfortable victory.

Randy Chambers's Free Pick: Washington State Cougars -16.5

Need More? Get Premium Picks

Randy Chambers

Randy has covered sports betting since 2014 and writes about everything from NFL to WNBA. Follow Randy Chambers on Twitter.

Related Articles

Back to top button