Fresno State Bulldogs (1-1 SU, 2-0 ATS) at No. 6 Washington Huskies (2-0 SU, 1-1 ATS)
College Football Week 3
Date/Time: Saturday, September 16, 9:30PM EST (6:30PM PST)
Where: Husky Stadium, Seattle, WA.
TV: Pac-12N
by Wilson, NCAA Football Handicapper, Predictem.com
Point Spread: FRES +33/UW -33
Over/Under Total: 54.5
The Washington Huskies look to improve their young 2017 season record to 3-0 this week as they welcome the Fresno State Bulldogs to Husky Stadium. Everyone in the stadium will know which team is more skilled and athletically giftedbut college football has a way of surprising even the most favored teams. Truth be told, Fresno State will likely get a thumping come Saturday evening but thats why they play the games. Meanwhile, the home town Huskies are picking up (despite their loss to Alabama last year) where they left off. The Huskies have scored 93 points in their first two contest and only allowed 21 points in as many games. This Husky team returns three outstanding playmakers in QB Jake Browning, RB Myles Gaskin, and WR Dante Pettis. These three guys alone can probably beat Fresno State.
Offensively, the Huskies are explosive and super-fast. Myles Gaskin will be difficult to slow down. Gaskin didnt get a ton of carries last week because they didnt really need him, and why risk injury? Fresno State is decent for their level of competition but they are clearly out of their league again this week. After taking a 41-10 beating from Alabama last week it will be much of the same in Seattle. The Bulldogs are averaging 38 points per game but that is because they beat IW 66-0 in their first gameyeah, I dont know who IW is either. They gave up 41 points to Bama and Im sure the Tide couldve put up more but they took the foot off the gas pedal. Fresno State will need to play near perfect football to even stay close in this contest.
Adding to UWs offensive attack is, again, WR/RET Dante Pettis. Pettis is this weeks Pac-12 Special Teams Player of the Week. Pettis recently cracked the Pac-12 career record for punt return TDs (7) with a 67-yard return for a touchdown versus Montana and is now one away from the NCAA record. It would behoove Washington opponents to perhaps kick the pigskin away from Pettis otherwise risk being the team who allowed the record setting TD return.
The Huskies defense allowed just 163 total yards and only 31 rushing yards on 33 carries in their 63-7 crushing of Montana last week. UW should have yet another pancake game this week versus the Bulldogs of Fresno State before they start conference play on the road for two consecutive games. The point spread in this contest is currently -33 in favor of the Huskies with the total at 54.5. Although UW is the more dominant team, Fresno State does have some talent on both sides of the ball and if they execute they may be able to stick around for awhilethey wont get the upset but they definitely have a chance to cover the 33 point spread. Alabama is ranked No. 1 in the country and they beat the Bulldogs by 31 last week. The Huskies did lose some primetime players in their secondary which should allow the Bulldog receivers to find the end zone a couple of times given they run solid routes and make plays. I dont see the Huskies piling up more than a four-touchdown win. The Huskys defense is not the same D from previous years and they are suspect at times to give up some plays. If the line on this game was lower Id take the Huskies all day long but its not, however, 33 is a generous spread for Fresno State. I see this game tight early on but eventually the Huskies will prevail 38-14. The Huskies are a sure winner on the field but not in the sportsbooksI like the Bulldogs to hang around in this game just enough to cover the points. Jake Browning and company will get the W but the Bulldogs get the money.
I like the Bulldogs to cover the 33 points on the road.
Wilson’s Pick to Cover the Point Spread: The Bulldogs cover the spread. Luck to ya. Bet your pick for this game using your credit card at a sportsbook where it WILL work for deposits and take advantage of their 100% signup bonus on your first deposit up to $100! (Example: Deposit $100 and they’ll give you an extra $100 FREE!) Find this great offer at Intertops Sportsbook.