New Mexico State at Washington State 8/31/19 - NCAAF Picks & Predictions
The New Mexico State Aggies are set to visit Clarence D. Martin Stadium in Pullman, Washington for a Week 1 clash against the Washington State Cougars. The New Mexico State Aggies are looking to rebound after going 3-9 during the 2018 season, but they will return some key starters on offense. The Aggies will return their starting QB from a season ago as Josh Adkins is looking to expand off his 2018 season where he contributed 2563 passing yards, 13 TDs, and 9 interceptions. The ground attack should once again be the strong point of the offense as they return Christian Gibson and Jason Huntley who combined for 1095 rushing yards and 13 TDs last season.
The New Mexico State Aggies struggled a ton on the defensive side of the ball last season as they finished the year ranked 126th in points allowed. The Aggies will return their leading tackler from a season ago as Javahn Fergurson is looking to expand off his 131 tackles. The secondary will take a hit for New Mexico State as they lost the services as DeMarcus Owens as he contributed 2 interceptions and 9 pass deflections a season ago. The Washington State Cougars are looking to continue their 2018 success as they went 11-2 with a victory in the Alamo Bowl., but they will need to replace some key talent on offense. The Cougars will be without QB Gardner Minshew who tore up college football last season with 4779 passing yards, 38 TDs, and 9 interceptions. Whoever is under center will have a big target in WR Dezmon Patton as he contributed 816 receiving yards and 5 TDs during the 2018 campaign.
The Washington State Cougars were solid on the defensive side of the ball last season as they finished the year ranked 42nd in points allowed, but they will have to replace some key starters this year. The Cougars will be without their leading tackler from a season ago as Peyton Pelluer ran out of eligibility after contributing a team-high 97 tackles. Marcus Strong will return to the secondary after having a big 2018 season as he contributed a team-high 3 interceptions.
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Mike Leach has once again made the Washington State Cougars a respectable program, but they lost their star QB Gardner Minshew who was a big reason for their success last year. New Mexico State will most likely be on the losing spectrum in both this game and the season, but they have enough talent on the offensive side of the ball to keep this game within the spread. The Aggies should have a strong ground attack which I see as a strength against the Cougars as they don’t have their leading tackler from a season ago. The Cougars should be strong on the offensive side of the ball again, but I need to see the new pieces prove themselves first. Final Score Prediction, Washington State Cougars win but fail to cover ATS 38-14.
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