Week 2: Montana State vs Washington State Preview & Pick
Date/Time: Saturday, September 11, 7:00 p.m. ET
Venue: Martin Stadium
Montana State vs Washington State Lines
Moneyline: Bobcats vs Cougars OFF
CFB betting favorite: Washington State -5.5
Over/Under: OFF
Montana State Bobcats (1-0)
The Montana State Bobcats opened their 2010 season in style last week, routing Fort Lewis 59-10. The key to Montana State’s success was quarterback play. Denarius McGhee, who became the first freshman to start for MSU since 1987, threw for 178 yards and two scores. He showed he could stretch the field when he hooked up with Elvis Akpla for a 51-yard touchdown. Backup Cody Kempt threw for two touchdowns as well.
Overall, Montana State rolled up 532 yards and played tidy football, not committing a single turnover. Now they passed their first test, they’re hoping they can play “trap team” to Washington State, who had a disastrous opener last week.
Washington State Cougars (0-1)
It’s strange to say it, but the 2010 forecast looks bleak for Washington State even after a single game. They were routed 65-17 by Oklahoma State last week, allowing 257 rushing yards from Kendall Hunter alone. James Montgomery fumbled on the first play and Oklahoma State never looked back.
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Cougars quarterback Jeff Tuel wasn’t a total failure but he wasn’t too effective either, throwing for 212 years and a touchdown.
Coach Paul Wulff promised a vastly improved Washington State team in 2010 but, so far, this looks like the same group that went 3-22 over the last two seasons. It started seven true freshmen last week. To shake their demons, the Cougars absolutely have to score first this week. They’ve repeatedly started games tight over the last year, getting outscored 193-6 in the first quarter since the start of 2009.
The pick:
Washington State absolutely can’t look past Montana State. The Bobcats are brimming with confidence after looking so polished in last week’s victory. Meanwhile, the Cougars are emotionally fragile at the moment.
However, Washington State is still the FBS program and the one who views Saturday’s matchup as a must-win. Expect pride and sheer will to take over here. Washington State can’t stomach the thought of losing to a little school at home after last week’s humiliation. It may not be pretty and the Cougars may make more mistakes, but they’ll find a way to win.
Montana State vs Washington State prediction: Washington State 28, Montana State 20
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