– Last Updated on December 22, 2022 3:38 pm
Free Week 3 Prediction: Vandals vs Cougars Odds
Looking for Idaho Vandals vs. Washington State Cougars free picks? Week 3 College football betting sees the Vandals taking on the Cougars Saturday September 17th at Martin Stadium, Pullman, Washington. Cappers Picks provides complimentary handicapping picks all NCAA football season long so stay tuned for more FREE college football predictions.
Week 3
Idaho Vandals (0-0) vs. Washington State Cougars (0-0)
Date: Saturday, September 17th
Time: 2:00 pm EST
Venue: Martin Stadium, Pullman, Washington
NCAA Football Spread: WSU -24.5
NCAA Betting Total: 70.5
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Separated by a mere 7 miles, the Idaho Vandals and Washington State Cougars will square-off on Saturday in Martin Stadium, with both teams looking to rebound after losses this past weekend.
Idaho, who made the trip to Seattle to take on the Washington Huskies, expectedly had trouble with the No. 8 team in the nation and was vastly overmatched.
The Cougars, meanwhile, traveled to Boise State and found themselves nearly mount a fourth quarter comeback but ultimately came away with a loss.
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This game is huge for both teams moving forward. Idaho will be looking for a big win before heading into the bulk of their league games while Washington State will try to establish a new identity and come away with their first win of the season.
It’s a tough one to call, admittedly.
Though Washington State has superior talent and an offense capable of putting up big numbers, recent history has clearly shown that anything can happen in Martin Stadium and the Cougars do, after all, have the tend to “Coug It”.
Still, expect Washington State to defend its home turf for the first time in 2016 and find a nice rhythm before Pac-12 play.
Idaho Vandals
The Vandals may have secured a win in week one against Montana State but showed that they are nowhere close to competing with the big boys, getting crushed by the Washington Huskies in Seattle to the tune of a 59-14 scoreline.
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Still, Idaho should hold their heads high for scheduling Pac-12 opponents back-to-back, with one of them being the No. 8 team in the nation.
QB Matt Linehan has been serviceable so far in 2016, completing 52.9% of his passes and throwing 1 TD and 1 INT. RB Aaron Duckworth has amassed 142 yards on 24 carries (5.9 yards per carry) with two scores so far.
If Idaho has any shot in this one they’re going to need to be able to match the firepower of WSU.
Washington State Cougars
The Cougars need to find a rhythm, it’s as simple as that.
Though they managed to put some points up against the Broncos and nearly complete the comeback, a lack of offensive identity during the early stages of 2016 has kept Washington State from securing a win.
The strength of Washington State is its quick-strike air raid offense.
In fact, QB Luke Falk already has 122 attempts, completing 96 of them for 898 yards, 8 touchdowns, and two interceptions. Yes, you can say those numbers are ridiculous.
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Washington State does not, however, have a rusher over 100 yards after two games and has a longest run of 16 yards on the season, not surprising considering their offensive style, but still disappointing.
NCAA Football Handicapping Trends
- Idaho and WSU last met in 2013, with the Cougars taking down the Vandals 42-0 at home.
- Idaho has just one season since 2011 where they won more than 2 games, last year when the Vandals went 4-8
- WSU is 5-1 Against the Spread in their last 6 home matchups
Free Week 3 NCAA Football Prediction
On paper the Cougars have the talent to beat the Vandals.
However, football is a game won in the trenches and on the gridiron, something Washington State has been unable to accomplish in 2016.
Idaho, on the other hand, will be looking for a little Sun Belt magic in Pullman as they look to pull what would be quite the surprising upset.
With that said, the Cougars should be able — and that is an extremely cautious should — to use their advantage in talent to secure their first win of the season.
4* Free NCAA Betting Pick: WSU -24.5
This will be a great opportunity for the Cougars to forward the momentum they were offensively generating in the fourth quarter against Boise State.
Idaho may be able to put a few points on the board but Washington State’s depth and talent will be too much for a Vandals squad that has been offensively stifled in 2016.
Looks like the Pullman faithful will be heading home with a bit more confidence after this one.
Week 3 Free Score Prediction: Idaho 13 – Washington State 42
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