The red-hot Air Force Falcons will look to cap off their double-digit winning season in style when they take on Washington State in the 2019 Cheez-It Bowl on Friday, December 27, 2019 at 10:15 PM ET. With the Falcons looking to extend an impressive winning streak and the Cougars looking to bounce back from a loss in their regular season finale, let’s find out which team is offering the best value against their Mybookie NCAAF Odds.

Air Force vs Washington State 2019 Cheez-It Bowl Betting Lines & Preview

• When: Friday, December 27, 2019 at 10:15 PM ET
• Where: Chase Field, Phoenix, AZ
• TV: ESPN
• Radio: SiriusXM
• Live Stream: WatchESPN
• Cheez-It Bowl Betting Lines: Air Force -2.5 (Total 68.5)

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Why Bet On Washington State?

The Cougars might be 2.5-point underdogs in this affair, but there are some good reasons to believe Washington State can cover the chalk. First, the Cougars have the higher scoring offense in putting up a stellar 39.2 points per game (10th) to Air Force’s 34.3 points per contest (22nd). Washington State should also have plenty of motivation after falling to Washington 31-13 in their PAC-12 finale after putting up 54 points and 49 points in their two previous games against Oregon State and Stanford respectively.

Then, there’s the fact that Washington State has a very good, if underrated, quarterback in Anthony Gordon. Th sophomore signal-caller earned All-PAC 12 Second Team honors after leading the nation with 5,228 passing yards, which was the sixth-most in FBS history and 45 touchdowns. Gordon is the 16th quarterback to pass for more than 5,000 yards in NCAAF history and the first to accomplish the feat since Kansas City Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes did it with Texas Tech in 2016.

Team Stats

Offense

• Points per Game: 34.33
• Passing Yards: 131.00
• Rushing Yards: 292.92
• Yards per Play: 6.36

Defense

• Points per Game: 19.75
• Passing Yards: 208.08
• Rushing Yards: 107.67
• Yards per Play: 5.40

Why Bet On Air Force?

The Falcons might be giving up 2.5 points, but there are a bunch of good reasons to back Air Force in this season-ending affair. The Falcons have won seven straight games including a 20-6 win over Wyoming in their regular-season finale to move into the Top 25 for the first time in nine years. Air Force should also have plenty of motivation as they are playing in their first bowl game since 2016. A win in this matchup would also give the Falcons their first 11-win season since they went a stupendous 12-1 back in 1998.

Then, there’s the fact that Air Force has the far better defense in limiting the opposition to just 19.8 points per game (19th) while Washington State gives up a generous 31.4 points per contest defensively (94th). Air Force also ranks a phenomenal third in rushing in head coach Troy Calhoun’s triple-option attack. Last, but certainly, not least, Washington State has gone a winless 0-5 away from home this season. Quarterback Donald Hammond III threw for 1,286 yards and 13 touchdowns to go along with 491 yards. Running back Kadin Remsberg earned all-Mountain West honorable after leading Air Force with 872 rushing yards.

Team Stats

Offense

• Points per Game: 39.17
• Passing Yards: 444.33
• Rushing Yards: 72.50
• Yards per Play: 7.13

Defense

• Points per Game: 31.42
• Passing Yards: 285.92
• Rushing Yards: 170.83
• Yards per Play: 6.81

Air Force vs Washington State Cheez-It Bowl Betting Trends

• Cougars are 2-5 SU in their last 7 games played in December
• Cougars are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 games
• The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Washington State’s last 8 games played on a Friday
• Falcons are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games this season
• Falcons are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games played on a Friday
• The total has gone OVER in 5 of Air Force’s last 6 games played in December

Expert Analysis & Prediction for Air Force vs Washington State

Washington State has lost three of their last five games and six of their final nine games while giving up 31 points or more in every loss. The Cougars blew a mind-boggling 32-point lead against UCLA in their stunning 67-63 Week 4 home loss against the Bruins and it is that kind of defense that leads me to have no faith whatsoever in the Cougars.

Washington State has gone 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games following an ATS loss and 3-8 ATS in their last 11 games overall while Air Force has gone 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games in December and a bankroll-boosting 21-7 ATS in their last 28 non-conference games. The Falcons are the pick to get the feel-good season-ending win because of their far superior defense, powerful rushing attack and late-season consistency!

Score: Air Force 34 – Washington State 38