Washington State football facing must-win scenario vs. Arizona State
Washington State football is looking to bounce back and knock off the Sun Devils on the road. Will the Cougars have enough to beat ranked Arizona State?
Washington State Football and Arizona State face off in what looks like one of the most important games for the Cougars on the year.
Starting off the season 3-0 and then dropping the last two games to UCLA and Utah have been big blows to the Cougars’ chances to not only win the Pac-12 but compete in a New Year’s Six bowl.
Arizona State and Herm Edwards are on the other side of this conversation, having gone 4-1 and knocking off No. 15 Cal last week, the Sun Devils look like the real deal. Beating California last week was the Sun Devils second top 20 win on the year, previously beating Michigan State in East Lansing.
Arizona State is just a few point favorites at home against the Cougars, who everyone knows can put up the points needed to upset anyone on the road. Arizona State is coming off of a huge emotional win against Cal that has set them up for a possible let down game hosting the Cougars.
Ranked No. 16 in the country and playing relatively well on defense only allowing 14 points a game, the Sun Devils defense will be tested to the fullest extent as Mike Leach’s air raid offense comes into town. The Sun Devils have played especially well on the defensive line so the secondary will have to step up as will freshman quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Here’s how you can watch:
Date: Saturday, Oct. 12
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: Tempe, Ariz.
Venue: Sun Devil Stadium
TV: Pac-12 Network
Live Stream: Pac-12 Network
Keys to Victory
Washington State has given up 30 points a game this season on defense and looked out of place at times on special teams. We will have to see one of the Cougars most put together games if they want to go into Tempe and upset the 16th-ranked Sun Devils.
If the Cougars’ defense is unsuccessful stopping the Sun Devil offense, we could see another UCLA vs. Washington State score on the board with both teams well above 60 points.
Daniels has taken over at the helm for the Sun Devils. He has played relatively well in his first five collegiate games but has not really been unleashed quite yet. Only throwing for five touchdowns and limited on his throwing attempts, expect him to have a bigger playbook this week and use his legs to get the offense moving.
Betting Odds
Odds courtesy of Bovada
Spread: Arizona State -2.5
Over/Under: 58
Prediction
Arizona State’s defense has been really good this year in all facets. They bring a ton of pressure and Edwards has put the Sun Devils in perfect positions to be successful on the football field. I expect more of the same from the Sun Devil defense even with the air raid coming into town to throw a wrench at the secondary.
Daniels will still be limited but will be able to hurt the Cougars with his legs all day, extending drives and converting on key third downs getting out of the pocket. He should have just enough juice for the offense to get past the Cougars in Tempe. The air raid should be slowed down and the Sun Devils will look to control the clock most of the game to take home the win.
Final Score: Arizona State 27, Washington State 21