The Washington State Cougars invade Mackay Stadium in Reno to take on the Nevada Wolf Pack tonight at 7:30 pst on week two of the college football season.
THE MATCHUP:
Nevada is coming off of a 28-19 struggle against Southern Utah, a team that a much less experienced Washington State squad blew out last season. Quarterback Cody Fajardo ran the option efficiently enough to get by the Thunderbirds, rushing for 68 yards and a touchdown while his running back Don Jackson went for 110 and a touchdown of his own last week. Fajardo also threw for 303 yards through the air on 30-41 passing with a touchdown and an interception.
Washington State didn’t do much defensively against Rutgers, especially against the run and that could spell trouble against an athletic Nevada club that uses multiple facets. Offensively however, quarterback Connor Halliday tossed the rock around in typical Mike Leach Air Raid fashion, going an efficient 40-56 for 532 and 5 touchdowns. Four receivers had at least 80 yards and a touchdown, yet the Cougs got beat in the opener.
At first glance, this looks like it should be a route, the Cougs coming off of a bowl season and Nevada off of three wins but football is rarely based on the numbers of last season. The legs and arm of Fajardo could keep Nevada in this one if the Cougs can’t figure something out in a hurry. WSU gave up over 200 yards on the ground in week one so look for the Pack to try and exploit a seemingly soft front from the Cougars. If Halliday can throw for 500 and four or five touchdowns in this one however, I don’t see how the Pack can keep up.
ODDS:
Bovada has Washington State as four point favorites going into Friday, which is remarkably low considering the Wolf Pack barely hung on against Southern Utah while the Cougs played a thriller with Rutgers last week. WSU should cover the spread and more in this one.
Date: Friday, Sept. 5th
Start Time: 7:30 p.m. PT
Location: Reno, Nevada
Stadium: Clarence Mackay Stadium
TV Info: ESPN
Live Stream: Stream 1