College Football Betting Preview: A Look at Washington-Washington St

Washington Huskies at Washington St Cougars, Martin Stadium, Pullman, WA
Saturday, December 4, 2010, 7:00 pm Eastern, TV: Versus
Opening Line: Washington -9
Current Line: Washington -5 1/2
Opening Total: 54
Current Total: 54
Money Line: Washington -230 / WSU +190

Jake Locker Washington Huskies Football — Jake Locker and the Huskies are currently 5 1/2 point favorites in the Apple Cup at rival Washington St.

They call this game the Apple Cup but given the two teams recent poor play, maybe it should be the Rotten Apple Cup. Or given the teams propensity for throwing picks and fumbling, perhaps the Apple Turnover Cup. I am kidding of course, but 5-6 Washington travels to Pullman to take on arch-rival 2-9 Washington St. Washington needs to win this game to become bowl eligible. The line has dropped from Washington -9 to -5 1/2. There are no significant injuries for either team, but the weather might be a factor in the game. There is a 30 percent chance of snow but game time temps will be in the 20’s or maybe even the teens. Washington is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 trips to Pullman. The Huskies are 7-3 ATS in the last 10 games in the series. Last year Washington won in Seattle 30-0. The last two games have gone under the total.

Washington beat Cal last week to keep their bowl chances alive. The Huskies are 5-6 but the schedule has been very challenging. The Huskies have played 6 teams that will go to a bowl game plus USC who would have gone to a bowl game if they weren’t on probation. The Huskies have wins over Syracuse, USC, and Oregon St, and losses to BYU, Nebraska, Arizona St, Arizona, Oregon, and Stanford. The Huskies have been outscored 32-21 on the season. The Huskies sometimes struggle on offense as they only average 346 yards a game. This is somewhat surprising as the Huskies have one of the best quarterbacks in the country in Jake Locker plus a talented running back in Chris Polk. On defense, Washington gives up over 400 yards a game including 206 rushing yards. They have a turnover margin of +1, and have allowed 24 sacks. Locker has battled some injuries and missed a couple of games with rib injuries. It is really baffling why Washington isn’t better on offense. The offensive line hasn’t played that badly. Locker was projected to be the top quarterback taken in next year’s NFL draft but has had a disappointing season. This could be his last game is Washington St pulls the upset. Locker has thrown for just under 2,000 yards, 15 touchdowns and 8 interceptions. He also has 4 rushing touchdowns. Polk has rushed for 954 yards on 197 carries with 6 touchdowns. Locker and Polk have the only rushing touchdowns for the Huskies. Jermaine Kearse is the top receiver with 56 catches, 823 yards, and 10 touchdowns. Kicker Eric Folk has struggled at times converting only 12 out of 17 field goals on the year.

Washington St is 2-9 on the season, but they are coming off a 31-14 upset at Oregon St. That game was November 13, and the Cougars haven’t played since then. Washington St’s only other victory came over FCS team Montana St. The Cougars are being outscored 36-19 on the season. The Cougars only average 323 yards of offense per game. They give up 458 per game, including 212 rushing yards. They have a turnover margin of -2, but they have allowed 46 sacks on the season. The offense is led by quarterback Jeff Tuel. Tuel has thrown for 2,482 yards, 15 touchdowns and 11 picks. The top receivers are Marquess Wilson (51 catches, 968 yards, 5 TD catches) and Jared Karstetter (54 catches, 587 yards, 6 TD’s). The Cougars rush for only 89 yards a game. The top two backs are James Montgomery (109 carries, 405 yards, and 5 touchdowns) and Logwone Mitz (70 carries, 252 yards, 4 touchdowns). The Cougars have only converted 7 out of 11 field goal attempts.

These two teams are not very good, but rivalry games usually bring out the best in teams. Washington would seem to have more motivation at they can go to a bowl game with a win. However, in 2006 these teams met in Pullman and Washington St needed to win to go to a bowl game. The Huskies won that day and knocked the Cougars out of a Bowl game despite Washington having nothing to play for. The Cougars would love to return the favor.