No. 20 Washington State comes off its bye to face Utah State on Saturday
No. 20 Washington State comes off its bye to face Utah State on Saturday
Washington State quarterback John Mateer (10) celebrates a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against San Diego State Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Washington State quarterback John Mateer (10) celebrates a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against San Diego State Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Washington State wide receiver Carlos Hernandez leaps into the end zone as San Diego State safety Eric Butler looks on during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Utah State quarterback Spencer Petras (7) throws the ball as New Mexico’s Moso’oipala Tuitele defends in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Logan, Utah. (Eli Lucero/The Herald Journal via AP)
Utah State wide receiver Jalen Royals (1) runs down the field after catching a pass as New Mexico defensive back Noa Pola-Gates defends in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Logan, Utah. (Eli Lucero/Herald Journal via AP)
Utah State wide receiver Otto Tia (5) catches a pass for a touchdown as New Mexico safety Bryson Taylor (13) defends in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Logan, Utah. (Eli Lucero/Herald Journal via AP)
Washington State quarterback John Mateer (10) celebrates a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against San Diego State Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Washington State quarterback John Mateer (10) celebrates a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against San Diego State Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Washington State quarterback John Mateer (10) celebrates a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against San Diego State Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Washington State quarterback John Mateer (10) celebrates a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against San Diego State Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Washington State wide receiver Carlos Hernandez leaps into the end zone as San Diego State safety Eric Butler looks on during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Washington State wide receiver Carlos Hernandez leaps into the end zone as San Diego State safety Eric Butler looks on during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Utah State quarterback Spencer Petras (7) throws the ball as New Mexico’s Moso’oipala Tuitele defends in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Logan, Utah. (Eli Lucero/The Herald Journal via AP)
Utah State quarterback Spencer Petras (7) throws the ball as New Mexico’s Moso’oipala Tuitele defends in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Logan, Utah. (Eli Lucero/The Herald Journal via AP)
Utah State wide receiver Jalen Royals (1) runs down the field after catching a pass as New Mexico defensive back Noa Pola-Gates defends in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Logan, Utah. (Eli Lucero/Herald Journal via AP)
Utah State wide receiver Jalen Royals (1) runs down the field after catching a pass as New Mexico defensive back Noa Pola-Gates defends in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Logan, Utah. (Eli Lucero/Herald Journal via AP)
Utah State wide receiver Otto Tia (5) catches a pass for a touchdown as New Mexico safety Bryson Taylor (13) defends in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Logan, Utah. (Eli Lucero/Herald Journal via AP)
Utah State wide receiver Otto Tia (5) catches a pass for a touchdown as New Mexico safety Bryson Taylor (13) defends in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Logan, Utah. (Eli Lucero/Herald Journal via AP)
Utah State (2-6, 1-3 Mountain West) at No. 20 Washington State (7-1, 0-0 Pac-12, No. 21 CFP), 10:30 p.m. ET Saturday (The CW).
BetMGM College Football Odds: Washington State by 20 1/2.
Series Record: Series tied 2-2.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Both Washington State and Utah State are coming off bye weeks. The Cougars are 7-1 for the first time since 2018. The Cougars have reached bowl eligibility in eight of the last nine seasons. Washington State has won three straight overall and five straight at home. The Cougs are coming off a 29-26 come-from-behind win at San Diego State. The Aggies are playing under interim coach Nate Dreiling, who is also the defensive coordinator. Utah State’s last game was a 27-25 victory over Wyoming, won on a last minute field goal. Utah State and Washington State will both be in the re-built Pac-12 starting in the 2026 season. The Aggies are one of five Mountain West teams that will join the conference.
KEY MATCHUP
The Aggies’ defense is a clear weakness against the Cougars. Utah State is allowing 42 points a game, second-to-last in the nation. Only Kent State (46.6) is allowing more. They’re also giving up opponents 244 rushing yards a game, also second-to-last nationally, and 254 passing yards per game. Utah State has also lost six players from the defense to season-ending injuries this year.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Utah State: QB Spencer Petras, who spent the last five seasons at Iowa, ranks eighth nationally with an average of 304.2 passing yards a game. He’s got a career-high 13 touchdown passes. He’s 56 passing yards shy of his career high.
Washington State: QB John Mateer is averaging 341 yards in total offense per game, ranking him fourth in the country. He has thrown for 2,153 yards and 18 touchdowns. He’s also Washington State’s leading rusher with 575 yards and 10 scores.
FACTS & FIGURES
Washington State has the nation’s 12th-ranked scoring offense with an average of 38.1 points per game. ... Utah State is 4-4 in its last eight road games. ... The Cougars’ defense has 15 takeaways, good for 26th nationally. Cornerback Ethan O’Connor has three interceptions. ... Washington State has three fourth-quarter comebacks for wins this season. .... Utah State is 6-69 all-time against teams ranked in the AP Top 25. The Aggies have faced four ranked teams this season alone — USC, Utah and Boise State. It is just the third time in school history the team has faced that many ranked opponents in a single season.
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