The Washington State Cougars face the Fresno State Bulldogs in a battle of West Coast teams in the Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl. It appeared to be a game between two evenly-matched teams.
Unfortunately for Cougar fans, the team have gone under an extreme transition recently. Washington State are down two primary coordinators who have taken head coaching gigs elsewhere. The Cougars are also missing three of their top receiving options, who are either sitting out this game or have entered the NCAA transfer portal.
Will Washington State overcome these recent changes to defeat the Bulldogs, or will Fresno State remain white-hot and beat the Cougars?
The betting odds and predictions are below:
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Washington State Cougars vs. Fresno State Bulldogs Details
Fixture: Washington State Cougars @ Fresno State Bulldogs
Date and Time: Saturday, December 17, 3:30 pm ET
Venue: SoFi Stadium, Englewood, California
Washington State Cougars vs. Fresno State Bulldogs Best Pick
With the recent changes on the sideline and the field for the Washington State Cougars aside, let's focus on a dynamic QB matchup. Washington State's Cameron Ward vs Fresno State's Jake Haener is one of the better battles you will see in any College Football Bowl game this season.
Cameron Ward has been sensational all season long. Ward is a dynamic playmaker at the QB position who brought an element of explosiveness to the Cougars' offense that they haven't had in quite some time. No matter who calls the plays for Washington State, they would be foolish not to tap into the playmaking abilities of one of the best playmakers in all College Football.
Jake Haener is a grizzled veteran under center for the Fresno State Bulldogs. The difference between when Haener was absent vs under center for the team was stark. Jake Haener knows the Fresno State offense like the back of his hand and gets the ball out quickly into his playmakers' hands. Expect a back-and-forth shootout type of feel to this game, which makes the Over the play on the Jake Haener prop bet.
Jake Haener, QB, Fresno State Bulldogs: Passing Yards, Over
Washington State Cougars vs. Fresno State Bulldogs Final Prediction
The shift in the line tells us all we need to know here. Washington State was originally the favorite, but the line shifted dramatically. There are transitions every Bowl season, but few teams have as many moving pieces as Washington State. Having Cameron Ward on your side gives you a chance no matter what, but I'm sticking with the hot team in Fresno State and the hot QB in Jake Haener. Take the Bulldogs to Cover.
Fresno State Bulldogs -4 (-110)
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