Utah State at Washington State 9/4/21 - NCAA Football Picks & Predictions

On Saturday September 4, the Utah State Aggies visit Martin Stadium in Pullman, Washington to play the Washington State Cougars. Utah State was 1-5 in it's abbreviated 2020 regular season with the only victory over New Mexico. The Aggies offense will be led by transfer quarterback Logan Bonner from Arkansas State. The running back position will have several players including John Gentry, Devonta’e Henry Cole, Calvin Tyler Jr and Eleyon Noa. Justin McGriff is expected to be the big playmaker at wide receiver along with Deven Thompkins, Dereck Wright and Jordan Nathan. 

The Utah State defense will be its strength this season. Last season's leading tackler AJ Vongphachanh returns as does starting safety Shack Bond, cornerback Zahodri Jackson, cornerback Xavion Steele and defensive end Nick Heninger. Linebacker Kevin Meitzenheimer is also a key contributor for the Aggies defense. Utah State will have a mix of upperclassmen, transfers and freshman that should give the Aggies a strong unit.

Washington State was 1-3 in it's abbreviated 2020 schedule with it's only victory over Oregon State. Jaden de Laura returns as the starting quarterback for his sophomore year. Junior Cammon Cooper and transfer Jarrett Guarantano will look for playing time under center. Washington State running backs Deon McIntosh and Max Borghi give the Cougars an excellent running game while Travall Harris returns at wide receiver as does Renard Bell.

The Washington State defense lacks depth on the defensive line but has strong edge rushers in WIllie Taylor III, Ron Stone Jr. and Brennan Jackson, who in 2020 had a breakout season. Justus Rogers, Dillon Sherman and Jahad Woods are all sixth-year seniors who are back for Washington and gives the Cougars an excellent corps of linebackers. The Washington State secondary is led by cornerback Jaylen Watson and will have Kaleb Ford-Dement, Chau Smith-Wade and Derrick Langford.