Washington State (2-0) vs Houston (1-1)
When: Friday, September 13, 2019
Where: NRG Stadium,
Houston, Texas
Time: 9:15 ET | TV: ESPN
Opening Odds: Washington State -7/75
The Washington State Cougars’ offense was predicted to take a step back after the graduation of record-breaking quarterback Gardner Minshew, but head coach Mike Leach continues to insert the right guy to run his prolific offense. Anthony Gordon has picked up right where Minshew left off and has feasted on two cupcakes, but he and his team will get their first test – and road game – when they visit the high-flying Houston Cougars on Friday night at spacious NRG Stadium. Gordon has 884 passing yards and nine touchdowns in Washington State’s 58-7 and 59-17 wins over New Mexico State and Northern Colorado with eight different players catching a TD pass. That is good enough to rank second in FBS in passing yards (494.0), seventh in total yards (606.0) and fifth in points (58.5) per game. Houston has already played one tough game – a 49-31 loss at Oklahoma – then rebounded for an easy 37-17 win over Prairie View A&M last weekend. Houston’s offense is coming from the running game, which is averaging 238.5 yards a game – good for 26th in the country. These programs last met on Christmas Day in Hawaii at the 1988 Aloha Bowl, with Washington State pulling out a 24-22 victory.
The running game hasn’t been too shabby either behind Max Borghi and Deon McIntosh, who have combined for 215 yards on just 22 carries, including four touchdowns. Brandon Arconado (14 catches, 193 yards) – a former walk-on – leads a receiving corps that boasts three players with at least 10 grabs and 150 yards already in this young season. Jahad Woods has 10 tackles (seven solo) for a Washington State defense that has been solid, but will get their first true test of the season Friday night against Houston.
Houston has a great leader in quarterback D’Eriq King, who passed for a touchdown and ran for two scores in last weekend’s win over Prairie View A&M. King is second on the team in rushing with 102 yards and three scores behind Kyle Porter, who had 120 yards and a touchdown last week after recording just 40 yards against the Sooners. Marquez Stevenson leads all receivers with 10 catches and 105 yards, while safety Grant Stuard has 22 tackles – 13 more than anyone else on the team.
This should be a shootout with the total set at 74, but that’s a little too high for me. Washington State’s offense appears to be explosive once again, but they haven’t played anyone yet. This is also their first road game, although it’s considered a neutral site at NRG Stadium. Houston was just overmatched at Oklahoma and I believe they’ll be more competitive in this one and come away with the cover.
Pick: Houston +9 (More Week 3 Free Picks)
Betting Trends:
WSU is 7-0 ATS in their last 7 games after accumulating more than 450 total yards in their previous game.
WSU is 8-1 ATS in their last 9 games in September.
WSU is 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a ATS loss.
WSU is 5-1 ATS in their last 6 non-conference games.
WSU is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games after allowing less than 20 points in their previous game.
WSU is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games after allowing less than 170 yards passing in their previous game.
WSU is 22-6 ATS in their last 28 games after allowing more than 200 yards rushing in their previous game.
WSU is 14-5 ATS in their last 19 games on fieldturf.
WSU is 19-7 ATS in their last 26 games overall.
WSU is 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games following a straight up win.
WSU is 13-5 ATS in their last 18 games after scoring more than 40 points in their previous game.
WSU is 32-13 ATS in their last 45 games after accumulating more than 280 yards passing in their previous game.
Houston is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games after accumulating less than 170 yards passing in their previous game.
Houston is 9-3 ATS in their last 12 Friday games.
Houston is 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games following a ATS loss.
Houston is 17-8 ATS in their last 25 games in September.
Houston is 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games after accumulating more than 200 yards rushing in their previous game.
Houston is 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games overall.
Houston is 1-11 ATS in their last 12 games on fieldturf.
Houston is 0-4 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
Houston is 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games after allowing less than 20 points in their previous game.
Over is 4-0 in WSU’s last 4 games in September.
Over is 5-1 in WSU’s last 6 games after allowing less than 170 yards passing in their previous game.
Under is 4-1-1 in WSU’s last 6 Friday games.
Over is 4-1 in WSU’s last 5 games following a straight up win of more than 20 points.
Under is 4-1 in WSU’s last 5 games following a ATS loss.
Under is 6-2 in WSU’s last 8 games after scoring more than 40 points in their previous game.
Under is 5-2 in WSU’s last 7 games overall.
Over is 4-0 in Houston’s last 4 games following a straight up win.
Over is 6-0 in Houston’s last 6 games on fieldturf.
Over is 6-1 in Houston’s last 7 vs. a team with a winning record.
Under is 4-1 in Houston’s last 5 vs. Pac-12.
Over is 6-2-1 in Houston’s last 9 games overall.
Over is 3-1-1 in Houston’s last 5 non-conference games.
Under is 12-4 in Houston’s last 16 games following a ATS loss.
Under is 5-2 in Houston’s last 7 games after allowing less than 100 yards rushing in their previous game.
Over is 5-2 in Houston’s last 7 neutral site games.
Under is 9-4 in Houston’s last 13 games after accumulating more than 200 yards rushing in their previous game.
