When it comes to the playoff rankings in college football, you could argue that things are starting to become a little predictable. It has reached the point where you can essentially pencil in Clemson and Alabama even before the season begins, such has been their dominance since the playoff system was put in place. Notre Dame shook things up a little last year by becoming the first team outside of the Power 5 conferences to make it into the top 4, but can someone else spring a surprise this season? If you are looking for a dark horse, perhaps it’s time to take a look at the PAC 12.
It has been a rough couple of seasons for that conference, so they will be looking to bounce back and get at least one of their teams into the playoff picture. The Washington State Cougars, who start the season ranked in the #23 spot, may be a bit of a dark horse, but the current state of this conference might just allow them to creep up the rankings. They will open up in Week 1 at home to the New Mexico Aggies. The Cougars are favored by 32, with the point total set at 64 ½.
New Mexico State vs Washington State 2019 College Football Week 1 Odds & Pick
- When: Saturday, August 31, 10 PM EST
- Where: Martin Stadium, Pullman
- TV: PAC12
- Radio: SiriusXM
- Live Stream: PAC 12 Live
- College Football Week 1 Odds: Washington State -32 (Total 64.5)
Notre Dame vs Louisville 2019 College Football Week 1 Lines & Game Preview
Weather Forecast
- Sunny: 26°C/79°F
- Humidity: 33%
- Precipitation: 0%
- Cloud Cover: 17%
- Wind: 6 mph W
- Stadium Type: Open
Why bet on the New Mexico State Aggies?
If you are looking for another independent team to crack the top 4 this year, I would suggest that you look somewhere other than New Mexico State. The Aggies have a brutal start to their schedule, opening up on the road versus Washington State before hitting the road again next week to face the Alabama Crimson Tide.The defense is certainly going to get a workout over the first couple of weeks, with the Aggies probably looking at damage control in these games. Last season, the Aggies never had to face a ranked opponent, but they still managed to go just 3-9 on the season. New Mexico State are 1-7 SU in their last 8 games played on the road and are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 season openers.
Team Stats
Offense- Points per Game: 25.25
- Passing Yards: 265.17
- Rushing Yards: 105.83
- Yards per Play: 5.00
Defense
- Points per Game: 41.33
- Passing Yards: 207.17
- Rushing Yards: 269.08
- Yards per Play: 5.95
Why bet on the Washington State Cougars?
You cannot deny that the Washington State Cougars are one of the most entertaining teams to watch in college football. They play a wide-open brand of football that often leads to shootout games that are fun to tune into. It’s easy to forget that this was a team that was very much in the playoff conversation last season, with a loss to Washington in the final week doing them in and taking them to 10-2 on the season.Prior to that loss, they had been on a 7-game winning streak. The Cougars closed out their 2018 season with a 28-26 bowl game win over Iowa State. The Cougars do well against Independents and are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games versus that group. They are, though, just 3-10 SU in their last 13 Week 1 games.
Team Stats
Offense- Points per Game: 37.54
- Passing Yards: 373.54
- Rushing Yards: 77.92
- Yards per Play: 6.13
Defense
- Points per Game: 23.31
- Passing Yards: 216.92
- Rushing Yards: 141.00
- Yards per Play: 5.57
Houston vs Oklahoma 2019 College Football Week 1 Odds, Game Info & Pick
New Mexico State vs Washington State 2019 College Football Week 1 Betting Trends
- Aggies are 1-7 SU in their last 8 games on the road
- Aggies are 0-5-1 ATS in their last 6 games played on a Saturday
- Cougars are 13-1 SU in their last 14 games at home
- Cougars are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games against an opponent in the Independent conference
- The total has gone OVER in 8 of Washington State’s last 12 games played on a Saturday
Expert Pick & Final Score Prediction
The Cougars are more than capable of getting their season off to a winning start in this one, but the 32-point spread does make me a little nervous. I think they may end up falling just shy of that number.Score: New Mexico State Aggies 17 – Washington State Cougars 45
