Three bold predictions for Washington State vs. Utah

Is one week long enough to get the bad taste out of our mouths from last Saturday’s crumble? Is it long enough for the Washington State Cougars to fix its issues on defense? Did the receivers attend class this week with footballs glued to their hands?

Whether or not a week is long enough, it’s all we get. Wazzu is in rainy Salt Lake City today to take on the Utah Utes at 7 p.m. The weather doesn’t look pretty, so not only will WSU be dealing with a tough Utah defense, it’ll be dealing with the elements.

And on defense, the Cougs should be facing Tyler Huntley, but probably not Zack Moss. The loss of the latter is good news for WSU, but it’s not like he’s Utah’s only running back, as Craig featured this week.

You also know that Tracy Claeys will be under Coug fans’ microscopes.

The CougCenter Hour and Podcast vs. Everybody also previewed tonight’s game. Listen to both so you’ll impress your friends and family with your expertise as you watch tonight.

Three Bold Predictions

1. The Cougar defense, in a complete reversal from last week, will pick off three passes.
2. Max Borghi will be WSU’s leading receiver.
3. Blake Mazza will hit a 47-yard field goal in the rain as time expires to give WSU a two-point victory.

What say you?

ESPN’s NFL Countdown to feature Gardner Minshew and Uncle Rico. Seriously.

Links

Two-minute drill: Keys to victory for Washington State against No. 19 Utah | The Spokesman-Review
The keys to a potential victory for Washington State against Utah Saturday at Rice-Eccles Stadium.

Consecutive Pac-12 losses could spell doom for Washington State, Utah | The Spokesman-Review
There is still an avenue to the Pac-12 championship game for teams that open the conference season with consecutive losses, and there’s even a precedent for it. Not much of one, albeit, but it does exist.

Utes reach a critical stage of their season, Saturday, even in September - The Salt Lake Tribune
Utah football fans will wish their team could start over and replay the late-September schedule, if the Utes lose Saturday night's homecoming game in the rain at Rice-Eccles Stadium.

Utah QB Tyler Huntley says he intends to play vs. Washington State - The Salt Lake Tribune
Utah quarterback Tyler Huntley expects to play Saturday vs. Washington State, after noticeably limping with a possible foot injury at the end of last Friday’s loss at USC.

The Six Pack: Notre Dame-Virginia, USC-Washington among best college football picks for Week 5 - CBSSports.com
”I’m taking the points, but I think Wazzu wins this one outright. Washington State 38, Utah 31”

College football Week 5 picks, predictions, schedule | SI.com
”This is a close one for me, but I just think Washington State is catching the Utes here at the right time.”

If you call Mike Leach to talk about football and Utah, you’ll talk about apple beer instead – The Athletic
Leach and Kyle Whittingham go way back. Somehow that brought up which coach would win in a Pac-12 coaches’ wrestling tournament.

NFL: Mike Leach making waves with college system quarterbacks
Coach Mike Leach’s quarterbacks often led nation in passing yards in college but seldom stick in the NFL. Is that about to change?