Washington State at Nevada: Pre Game Prediction and Thoughts
By Caleb Davis
Just some quick thoughts and Predictions on Washington State at Nevada, tonight at 7:30pm Pacific time.
When I first looked at this game on WSU’s schedule I didn’t really care. Now when I look at it, it’s pretty darn important. Washington State stumbled last week in a Thursday night game in Seattle vs Rutgers. I have since moved past that game chalking it up to “The Seattle game curse”. So now looking at this Nevada game, I think it’s become important that the Cougs find a way to roll.
Looking back at last week and often in the Mike Leach era at Washington State, the Cougars offense at times looked great but then didn’t play very well with the lead. Washington State has an opportunity to put a lot of points up tonight, however they have to learn how to push the gas when they are in the lead. Look for a very focused Wazzu offense tonight performing at a high level at all times.
Defensively Washington State will raise their level. Everyone may look at the defenses performance last week and think that Nevada could put up 40 tonight. Coach Breske made some very key changes by starting Darius Lemora at safety and Charleston White at corner. Darius did some very good things when taking over for a cramping Teondray Caldwell. I was actually very surprised Lemora didn’t get the start last week as he had a good fall. I am also excited about the athleticism of Charleston White. Last week Tracy Clark got burned, lost, crossed and twisted. White will tighten up the passing game and bring more speed. Another big gain for the Wazzu defense is getting Cyrus Coen back. This will be a different defense out there, a much improved defense.
Nevada will do some things on the ground vs the WSU defense. Mobile quarterbacks always seem to give this Cougar defense a lot of issues and Cody Fajardo is definitely a mobile QB. Between Fajardo the Pack also have a good one two punch combo in their running backs Kendall Brock and Don Jackson. These three will have success on the ground vs the Cougs.
So my prediction for tonight? Connor Halliday leads the Cougs with another 500 yard passing performance and the Defense finds a rhythm and Washington State beats Nevada 42-24 in Reno.
Go Cougs!