With 145 yards receiving on Saturday, Marquess Wilson could be come Washington State's all-time leading receiver. (US Presswire) |
Colorado (0-3, 0-0 Pac-12) at Washington State (2-1, 0-0 Pac-12)
Kickoff: Saturday, 4 p.m. ET (FX)
Spread: Washington State by 18.5
Watchability: There's a lot of college football games on TV Saturday, this one should be on the bottom-half of the bottom-half of your college football watching priority list.
Shining Stars: Washington State: QB Marquess Wilson. Wilson had been itching to get the ball this season and he finally got it against UNLV last Friday to the tune of 110 yards and two touchdowns. The junior WR should shine against a Colorado pass defense that ranks 11th in the Pac-12. Colorado: RB Christian Powell. Powell is the closest thing to a star the Buffaloes have, rushing for 147 yards and three touchdowns against Sacramento State in Week 2. However, the freshmen has yet to prove himself against FBS competition, as he's averaging only 26 yards in two games.
Who could steal the show: Washington State: WR Gabe Marks. Marks stole the show last week with six catches for 126 yards and a touchdown against UNLV and he's primed to do it again this week. Opposing team's seem to focus their attention on WSU All-Pac-12 player Marquess Wilson, which makes it easier for Marks to get open. Colorado: QB Jordan Webb. The Buffalo QB has struggled in his first three starts, only averaging 144 yards passing per game. However, the Washington State defense could be just what Webb needs to break out of his funk. The Cougars pass defense ranks 121st nationally, surrendering 344.3 yards per game.
You going? Ranking the road trip: National Pirate Day was Sept. 19, which makes this the perfect week to go see the Pirate on the Palouse. However, if you can't make it to Pullman, Wash., this week, WSU's next game in Pullman might be a better option anyway: it's Mike Leach Bobblehead Day.
Magic number for Washington State: 145. WR Marquess Wilson is on the brink of Washington State history. With 145 yards receiving against Colorado on Saturday, Wilson would become the school's all-time leading receiver. Wilson has crossed the 145-yard mark in a game three times in his career.
Magic number for Colorado: 2-0. Recent history might not favor Colorado, but past history certainly does. The Buffaloes are 2-0 all-time against the Cougars in the state of Washington.
The game comes down to: Passing. Colorado's pass defense is ranked 11th in the Pac-12, which could lead to trouble for the Buffaloes who are going up against a WSU team that ranks third in the conference in passing and throws the ball 42.3 times per game. Mike Leach's Air Raid offense has looked better every week, this Saturday could very well be it's best week yet.
Prediction: Washington State 41, Colorado 24
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