The Colorado State Rams, under the guidance of head coach Jay Norvell, are expected to show significant improvement in the upcoming season, while the Washington State Cougars are undergoing a transition period with a new offensive coordinator. Read on for our free match preview and betting picks.
Match Live Saturday 2 September, 7:00 PM ET
Key Stats
– Washington State’s quarterback Cam Ward had 21 turnover-worthy plays last season.
– Colorado State’s head coach Jay Norvell improved Nevada from 3 wins to an 8-5 record in his second year.
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Washington State Cougars vs Colorado State Rams predictions: A Week 1 Matchup to Watch
The upcoming game between Colorado State and Washington State is one to keep an eye on, especially for those looking to place bets. Head coach Jay Norvell faced a challenging first season with Colorado State last fall, taking over a team that was in disarray. However, Norvell has a history of turning teams around in his second season, as demonstrated by his tenure at Nevada, where he improved the team from 3 wins in his first year to an 8-5 record in his second year. A similar turnaround could be in store for Colorado State. The Rams are returning 8 starters from a surprisingly solid defensive unit, which ranked 38th in EPA margin and 42nd in EPA per play according to cfb-graphs.com. Although the Rams struggled with blocking last season, they have essentially revamped their offensive line to protect quarterback Clay Millen, who is entering his second season as a starter and is considered one of the most underrated quarterbacks in the country.
Washington State: A Team in Transition
Conversely, the Washington State Cougars are facing significant changes on offense, with new offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle taking the helm. Arbuckle, formerly the co-offensive coordinator at Western Kentucky, is expected to bring an influx of pace to the Cougars’ offense. However, increased pace does not necessarily equate to success. Quarterback Cam Ward is a better runner than passer, which raises concerns about his ability to protect the football, as evidenced by his 21 turnover-worthy plays last season. Additionally, the Cougars ranked 89th in EPA per pass on defense last season, which suggests that Millen and the Rams should be able to move the ball consistently throughout the game.
Prediction
There is a high level of optimism surrounding Colorado State, while there are more question marks around Washington State. This game could serve as a good barometer to see if the preseason projections for both teams are accurate. If the spread is 14 or better, this would be a 3-star play, but it is still worth betting at anything in double digits.
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