The No. 20 Washington State Cougars (-9.5) are set to pay a visit to the Houston Cougars at NRG Stadium. The game is scheduled to start at 9:15 p.m. ET and ESPN will televise the action.
Betting Preview: Houston Cougars vs. Washington State Cougars
In this Friday matchup, Washington State is tabbed as the heavy favorite and is currently giving up 9.5 points. Washington State is receiving -370 moneyline odds while Houston is +290. Oddsmakers have set the over/under (O/U) sky-high at 74.5 points, and multiple good live betting opportunities could be unveiled during this contest.
The sharp action is siding with Washington State, as the opening line was 6. The game’s O/U hasn’t moved after being set initially at 74.5.
Washington State has gained 0.0 units so far in 2019 and is 1-1 against the spread (ATS). The team has posted an O/U record of 1-1.
Houston has gone 1-1 ATS and has an O/U record of 0-2. It has gained 0.0 units this season.
Washington State has gone 2-0 straight up (SU) in 2019 while the Cougars are 1-1 SU.
Washington State is hoping to stay undefeated after a 59-17 win over Northern Colorado last week. Anthony Gordon completed 31-of-39 passes for 464 yards, four touchdowns and one interception. Max Borghi (34 yards on seven rushes, two TDs) and Deon McIntosh (52 yards on four carries, one TD) led the ground attack while Brandon Arconado (eight receptions, 127 yards, one TD) and Easop Winston Jr. (six catches, 113 yards, two TDs) manned the receiving duties in the win.
Houston is coming off of a 37-17 win over Prairie View A&M. D’Eriq King completed 15-of-26 passes for 139 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Kyle Porter (120 rushing yards on 19 attempts, one TD) and Chandler Smith (90 yards on 10 carries) mounted the running game as Jeremy Singleton (four receptions, 28 yards) and Keith Corbin (four catches, 62 yards, one TD) led the pass-catching corps in the win.
Washington State has run the ball on 27.8 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Houston has a rush percentage of 60.9 percent. The Cougars has run for 112 yards/game and has four scores on the ground this year. Houston is putting up 238.5 rush yards per game and has five total rushing TDs.
It appears that Washington State could have the edge in terms of efficiency in the ground game, since its running backs has logged 6.4 yards per carry while its defense is allowing a YPC of 3.9 to opponents. Houston has ran for 5.7 yards per carry and allowed a YPC of 6.3 to opponents.
The Washington State offensive scheme has averaged a stellar 494 yards through the air overall and has 11 passing TDs so far. Houston has put up 155.5 pass yards per game and has three total pass scores.
Defensively, Washington State seems to have the upper hand in both facets. The team has allowed opponents to rush for an average of 156 yards and pass for 180 yards per game. The Houston defense has given up 290 yards per game to opposing passers and 224.5 yards per game on the ground. Washington State is allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 3.85 to opposing QBs, while Houston has given up an ugly 9.48 ANY/A.
Gordon probably has the advantage over King in this one, as his adjusted net yards per pass attempt stands at 12.79for the year and 13.48 over his last two outings. King’s ANY/A is 3.13 for the season and 4.83 across his past two games.
Washington State Cougars vs. Houston Cougars NCAA Pick
SU Winner: Washington State, ATS Winner: Washington State, O/U: Over
Team Betting Notes
- Houston has lost one fumble this season while Washington State has not lost any.
- The Washington State offense has produced three pass plays of 40 yards or more, while Houston has accounted for zero such plays.
- The Washington State defense has yet to allow a passing play of 40 or more yards, while Houston has given up four such plays.
- The Washington State offense has created three rushing plays of 20 yards or more, while Houston has created six such runs.
- The Washington State defense has allowed three rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while Houston has given up seven such runs.
- The Washington State defensive unit has sacked opposing QBs four times this year. Houston has recorded three sacks.
