Colorado Buffaloes at Washington St Cougars
Saturday, September 22, 2012, 4:00 pm Eastern, TV: FX
Martin Stadium – Pullman, Washington
Opening Line: Washington St -17 1/2
Current Line: Washington St -21
Opening Total: 58
Current Total: 58
Opening Money Line: WSU -1100 / Colorado +700
Current Money Line: WSU -1450 / Colorado +950
The Colorado Buffaloes and Washington St Cougars meet for the 8th time ever Saturday, and the first time ever in Pullman. This will also be the second meeting as Pac 12 conference rivals, and is the conference opener for both schools this season. Washington St scored 2 touchdowns in the last 1:55 of the game to win last’s year contest in Boulder 31-27. Colorado leads the overall series 4-3.
Colorado is coached by Jon Embree. The 0-3 Buffaloes are desperate for a win after losses to in-state rival Colorado St 22-17 in Denver, 30-28 at home against Sacramento St, and a humiliating 69-14 whipping at Fresno St. Colorado is averaging 288 total yards per game, including 182.7 passing yards and 105.3 rushing yards. The Buffaloes are averaging 19.7 points per game. Colorado is 106th or worse out of 124 teams in all four categories. The Buffaloes are giving up 476.3 total yards, including 287.3 passing yards and 189 rushing yards, while giving up 40.3 points per game. The Buffs are 97th or worst in the defensive categories. Colorado is 0-3 ATS and the total is 1-1 this season.
Colorado was a 14.5 point underdog at Fresno St last week, and the total was 57. Bettors might have thought they could get good value on a Pac 12 team as a 14.5 road underdog at a middle of the pack Mountain West team. They would have been dead wrong. Fresno St scored 35 first quarter points en route to a 69-14 demolition of the Buffaloes. The Bulldogs were up 48-0 before Colorado even got on the board. Fresno St added two defensive touchdowns including a 16 yard interception return and a 43 yard fumble return. Those were two of the 4 Buffalo turnovers in the game. Colorado had 11 penalties for 89 yards. The Bulldogs had 8 penalties for 63 yards and 2 turnovers.
Colorado had 278 total yards with 11 first downs. Quarterback Jordan Webb threw for 85 yards with a touchdown and 2 interceptions. Back-up Connor Wood also threw 2 interceptions. Fresno St had 665 total yards including 377 passing yards.
Webb has completed 50% of his passes for 432 yards with 4 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. Christian Powell has 46 carries for 199 yards and 3 touchdowns. Josh Ford and Tony Jones will also get some carries. Receiver Nelson Spruce has 13 catches for 131 yards and a touchdown. Tyler McCulloch has 7 catches for 127 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Washington St is coached by Mike Leach. The Cougars are 2-1 this season. Washington St started off with a 30-6 loss at BYU, before wins at home against Eastern Washington 24-20 and at UNLV last week 35-27. Washington St is averaging 346.7 yards per game, including 284.7 passing yards and 62 rushing yards. The Cougars are allowing 451.7 yards per game on defense, including 344.3 passing yards and 107.3 rushing yards. Washington St is being outscored 25.7-21.7. WSU is 0-2-1 ATS and the total is 1-1 this season.
Washington St was an 8 point favorite last Friday night at UNLV, and the total was 55.5.The Cougars jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter, but the Rebels hung around and made it 28-20 Cougars at halftime. Neither team scored in the third quarter but Washington St did score early in the fourth to make it 35-20. UNLV scored a late touchdown to pull within 35-27. The Rebels attempted an onside kick, but Washington St recovered. The Cougars were unable to run out the clock, so UNLV got the ball back with around 30 seconds left. The Rebels tried a Hail Mary but it didn’t work, but they did get a push on the 8 point spread. Little consolation for the 0-3 Rebels who have losses by a total of 14 points this season.
Washington St had 461 total yards including 378 passing yards from back-up quarterback Conner Halliday, who started in place of the injured Jeff Tuel. Tuel is questionable this week too with a knee injury. Halliday had 4 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. Gabe Marks had 6 catches, 126 yards, and a touchdown. Marquess Wilson had 5 catches, 110 yards, and 2 touchdowns. The Cougars had 12 penalties for 128 yards and 2 turnovers. UNLV had 460 total yards including 351 passing yards.
Halliday has completed 55.4% of his passes for 454 yards with 4 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. Tuel has completed 70.4% of his passes for 400 yards with 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. Running back Carl Winston has 28 carries for 132 yards and a touchdown. Marks has 12 catches for 219 yards, with a touchdown. Wilson has 13 catches for 218 yards and 2 touchdowns. Isiah Myers has 16 catches, 153 yards, and 3 touchdowns.
Colorado is 0-2 ATS after allowing 40 points or more, and after allowing 200 rushing yards or more, 7-21 in road games against teams with winning home records, 9-27 in road games, and after allowing more than 280 passing yards, 3-9 after scoring less than 20 points, 5-17-1 after a straight up loss of 20 points or less, 2-7 in conference games, 2-8 after a straight up and ATS loss, 2-11 overall, 1-7 against teams with winning records, and on fieldturf, 0-5 after allowing 450 yards or more, and 0-4 in September.
Washington St is 6-2-1 ATS after a straight up win, 3-1-1 against teams with losing records, 7-3-1 after allowing more than 280 passing yards, 5-13-1 in September, 0-3-1 after gaining more than 450 yards, and overall. The road team has covered the last 4 games in this series.
With only 8 seniors on the roster, Colorado might be the worst team in the six BCS conferences. Washington St isn’t a great team, but they should roll over a terrible Colorado team at home. The Cougars opened as 17.5 point favorites but have been bet up to 21. Lay the points with Washington St.
Get this week’s college football picks. Our handicappers will help you crush the sports books.
