USC-Oregon St., Stanford-Washington, and More Highlight Vegas Pac 12 Predictions for Week 5
Saturday Blitz Vegas Pac 12 Predictions Week 5
Washington State Cougars at Utah Utes
Line: Utah by 13
Who would have expected these records to start the season? Washington State would have been predicted to b 3-1 while Utah would be 2-1. Not 3-0 vs. 1-3. But the Cougars have had trouble consistently keeping that high-powered Mike Leach offense on top of its game. As they visit the Utah Utes, it will be crucial for Connor Halliday to do what he does and put up lots of yards, but the Cougars have to finish drives, and the defense has to get off the field. Washington State’s defense is naturally going to give up lots of points, but that should be due to the fact that it scores a lot and creates lots of possessions. Recently it’s been because the defense can’t get off the field, so that has to change this week if the Cougars are going to win this game.
Utah, meanwhile, has used a balanced attack to thoroughly dominate its first three opponents this season, and it will want to do that again Saturday. Using that attack to mount long drives against what appears to be a weak Cougars defense will keep the offense from being able to throw for a ton of touchdowns to get the win. Utah simply needs to play the same game Nevada did when it held Washington to 13 points. At home, that will be enough for a victory as long as the Utes don’t turn the ball over and the defense steps up. The defensive unit has looked good so far this year, but it hasn’t faced legitimately great passing offense like Washington State. It will have to come through on some drives to win.
Prediction
Washington State is off to a bad start, but there’s lots of talent on the team, and the defense has to be better than it’s looked, even by Mike Leach standards. That starts this weekend. The Cougars are going to get a few stops against that Utah offense, create a turnover or two, and then turn Halliday loose for an offensive clinic en route to an upset. The Cougars will pull out the win.
Washington State: 52 Utah: 38