CFB Week 7 Picks: Washington St at Arizona St

by Wilson | Last updated Oct 9, 2019 | cfb

Washington State Cougars (3-2 SU, 1-4 ATS) at No. 18 Arizona State Sun Devils (4-1 SU, 2-3 ATS)

College Football Week 7

Date and Time: Saturday, October 12, 2019, 3:30 PM EST

Where: Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, AZ.

TV: PAC 12

Point Spread: WSU +1 /AZ -1 (Sportbet)
Over/Under Total: 58.5

Power Ratings: AZ by 5

Head Coach, Mike Leach Calls Out his Team

No surprise that Washington State Coach Mike Leach is once again in the spotlight yet in a negative sense. “They are fat, dumb, happy, and entitled,” Leach said regarding his team, in a press conference after the Cougar’s loss to Utah two weeks ago. A week later (Cougs had a bye last week), the defensive coordinator for WSU resigned. It has been the WSU defense that has been under fire all year despite the poor offensive effort at Utah. Can the Cougs get back on track with all the drama around the program, or will they continue to spiral out of even a bowl game offer? Mike Leach usually gets positive responses after he belittles his players, but only time will tell.

ASU’s Outlook for this Matchup

Meanwhile, Arizona State is back in the top 25 at No. 18. The Sun Devils’ only loss this season was to Colorado, and the Devil’s notable wins are over then No. 15 California and on the road over Michigan State. This team likes to use a balanced attack, and they have a mobile QB who is athletically kin to the recent QB trend in football at every level—a dual-threat with the run and pass while on the run.

How the Public is Betting the Game

The public has jumped on ASU with the Sun Devils getting 61 percent of the point spread bets. The Over/Under action is typically on the OVER, and that’s the case here with 59 percent falling on that side of the line.

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Injury Concerns

WSU: WR Jamire Calvin is out with right foot injury—no return time available.

AZ: PK Brandon Ruiz is out with knee injury—no timetable for return.

When Washington State has the Ball

WSU will never stray from Coach Leach’s air-raid. They will stay the course and continue to target as many as eight receivers, including RB Max Borghi, out of the backfield. Look for the Cougs to be even more efficient in the desert where the weather is warm, and if the wind cooperates, they could have an explosive day.

When ASU has the Ball

The Sun Devils have steadily improved on the offensive side of the ball week to week with the only hiccup coming in the PAC12 opening loss 34-31 to Colorado. For an offense that starts a Freshman QB and two true freshmen on the O-line, they have come together nicely. The Sun Devils like to run and at times, will add an extra tight end to help the rushing effort. Freshman QB Joey Daniels has earned the spot and continues to keep it. He is taller, 6’3, than most dual-threat QBs at the college level, which helps him see better out of the pocket, making him more accurate—look for ASU to be successful moving the ball downfield against a lackluster Washington State defense.

Why Bet the Home team to cover?

ASU has the better defense which can both pass rush and cover downfield. Offensively, the Sun Devils will expose Washington State’s weak run defense under the legs of QB Daniels and RB Eno Benjamin, both average nearly four yards per run. In a close game at home, I like the Sun Devils to cover this line. Washington State will likely get their points, but the Sun Devils exploit the Cougs defense all night. ASU out scores WSU and gets their 5th win of the season.