Washington State Has Been A Great Bet Vs The Best

The season ended poorly for Washington State, as the Cougars dropped their last two games and watched any hopes of a New Year’s Six bowl appearance evaporate. However, with a 9-3 ATS record in their past 12 against teams with winning records, they could be in a good spot entering the Holiday Bowl against Minnesota.

Shark Bites
  • The total has gone OVER in Washington State's last 3 games against the Big 10.
  • Minnesota is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games against the Pac-12.
  • Washington State is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games.

Washington State’s offense will go as far as Luke Falk will take it. Falk finished fourth in the nation in passing yards and fifth in passing touchdowns. There is absolutely no doubt that this rests on Falk, as the junior has thrown an average of 48.5 passes per game compared with the running backs combining for 28 carries. Gabe Marks is the top receiver, with the senior posting 13 touchdowns on the year.

It’s a good thing Washington State’s offense can score because the Cougars defense is not good. The secondary has been terrible, ranking 120th in passing yards allowed and surrounding 8.0 yards per attempt. Statistically, the team looks good against the run, but that’s mostly because teams are throwing more often than not against Washington State.

Minnesota’s passing offense is pretty ugly. The Golden Gophers are averaging just 177.3 passing yards per game and Mitch Leidner has been a turnover machine at quarterback. The offense rests largely on the shoulders of running back Rodney Smith, who has topped the 1000-yard mark and found the end zone 15 times.

The Golden Gophers are a top-20 defense in the nation with an especially strong rushing D. Linebackers Jonathan Celestin and Jack Lynn are a pounding downhill tandem, both tallying over 70 tackles on the year. Minnesota also likes to get after the quarterback with their defensive line, which is anchored by Steven Richardson.

Minnesota Golden Gophers vs Washington State Cougars Matchup

Team Betting Records & Power Rankings

The Washington State Cougars sport a record of 8-4 and 6-6 ATS heading into this betting matchup, while the Minnesota Golden Gophers sit at 8-4 and 4-6-2 ATS on the season. The over under totals records are 7-5 for the Cougars and 6-6 for the Golden Gophers. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Washington State vs Minnesota injuries news.

The game pits the Washington State Cougars, currently No. 9 in our Odds Shark NCAA Football Power Rankings, against the Minnesota Golden Gophers, who rate No. 45 in the latest survey.

Statistical Matchup

The game also pits Washington State's No. 14-ranked offense, averaging 40.33 PPG, against a Minnesota defense that ranks No. 32 this week at 22.92 PPG. The Washington State aerial game is averaging 370.75 yards per game, more than the Minnesota Golden Gophers secondary allows through the air, 228.17 YPG per game.

Defensively, the Minnesota Golden Gophers feature the league's No. 33-rated road run defense, allowing 144.4 yards per game. Washington State, meanwhile, ranks No. 89 in rushing offense at home.

Recent Outings Betting Recap

In their last game, the Golden Gophers were Week 13 losers coming out on the wrong end of 31-17 score against Wisconsin.

Washington State lost its last outing 45-17 against Washington on Friday, getting a 112-yard receiving performance from Gabe Marks in a losing cause at Martin Stadium.

Betting Trends
  • Minnesota is 3-5-2 ATS in its last 10 games
  • Minnesota is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
  • The total has gone OVER in 4 of Minnesota's last 6 games
  • Washington State is 15-7 ATS in its last 22 games
  • Washington State is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games
  • Washington State is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games
  • The total has gone OVER in 4 of Washington State's last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in Washington State's last 3 games against the Big 10.home Minnesota is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games against the Pac-12.away Washington State is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games.home
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