[tps_title]Washington State at Arizona[/tps_title]
[tps_header]1 p.m., Pac-12 Networks[/tps_header]
WASHINGTON STATE (4-2, 2-1) AT
ARIZONA (5-2, 2-2)
1 p.m., Pac-12 Networks
Pointspread: Arizona favored by 6.5 points
— Washington State coach Mike Leach runs a similar spread offense as Rich Rodriguez at Arizona but with a distinct difference. “They spread you out to run it and we spread you out to throw out,” Leach said.
— Expect a lot of offense. enters the game first in the Pac-12 and ninth nationally with 41.7 points per game, well ahead of pace to break the school record for a season of 38.5 points per game set in 1954. The Wildcats are eighth nationally in total offense, averaging 542.4 yards per game, and sixth in rushing yards with 297.4 yards per game.
— Washington State is first in the Pac-12 and fourth nationally with 398.5 yards passing per game and has attempted 332 passes, second-most to Texas Tech’s 346. Cougars quarterback Luke Falk is fifth nationally with 2,371 yards and has thrown for 21 touchdowns with four interceptions.
— Neither team has been particularly good on defense. Arizona is 10th in the Pac-12 in total defense, allowing 111 points in consecutive losses to UCLA and Stanford. Washington State is ninth in total defense and allows 29 points per game.
— The Wildcats have not played most of the season with All-American linebacker Scooby Wright and have been hit by many other injuries. Cornerback DaVonte’ Neal missed the last two games with a hamstring injury and is questionable today. Safety Tellas Jones also is questionable after suffering a concussion against Colorado last week. Running back Nick Wilson (foot) and defensive lineman Parker Zellers are questionable and receiver Tyrell Johnson (hamstring) is out.
— Washington State is known for throwing the ball, but the Cougars have started to add a potent running game. Washington State has three 100-yard rushing games this season, including Oregon and Oregon State in consecutive weeks, the first time that’s happened under Leach.
— Jared Baker has proven to be an adequate replacement of the injured Wilson. The senior ran for a career-high 207 yards and two touchdowns against Colorado last week and has averaged 10 yards per carry the past two games. With Wilson’s foot still bothering him, Baker could get another heavy load of carries against the Cougars.
— Falk had one of the best performances in Washington State history a week ago, throwing for six touchdowns in the first half and 407 yards in a 52-31 win over Oregon State. The sophomore has completed 89 of 124 passes for 11 touchdowns and 911 yards the past two games.
Washington State is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Washington State is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Washington State is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Washington State is 8-16 SU in its last 24 games on the road
Arizona is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
Arizona is 16-6 SU in its last 22 games
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Arizona’s last 8 games
Arizona is 3-8 ATS in its last 11 games at home
My pick: Arizona will win but Washington State will cover
Steve Rivera’s pick: Arizona will win but Washington State will cover
Anthony Gimino’s pick: Arizona will win but Washington State will cover
