Catfight in Pullman

Football Betting Lines

11/01/2006 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The 25th-ranked Washington State Cougars will try to extend their winning streak to three games this Saturday, when they host the Arizona Wildcats in Pac-10 play from Pullman. The Cougars enter the game on a roll, as they have won two straight and three of their last four outings, including a 37-15 triumph over UCLA last weekend. The win improved WSU to 6-3 overall, with all three of its losses coming to teams ranked in the top 10. Now at 4-2 in conference play, the Cougars return home, where they have posted a 3-2 ledger thus far. As for Arizona, it comes into the contest on a losing note, dropping a 17-10 decision to Oregon State on October 21st. It was the fourth loss in the past five games for the Wildcats, who dipped to 3-5 overall and an even worse 1-4 in conference play. Arizona does own a 20-13 all- time series advantage over WSU, although the Cougars have won the past four meetings.

The Wildcats rank among the worst offensive teams in the Pac-10 this season, as they enter the game averaging a dismal 12.1 ppg and mere 245.8 total ypg. The team has really struggled to run (71.4 ypg) effectively, and has thrown only four touchdowns against 11 interceptions. In the team's last game, Arizona gained just 183 yards of total offense, in addition to turning the ball over three times in a 17-10 setback to Oregon State. Quarterback Kris Heavner had a rough game in the loss, completing 17-of-26 throws for 161 yards with two interceptions and no touchdowns. It was the first significant playing time of the year for Heavner, who is the backup to both Willie Tuitama and Adam Austin. Tuitama, who has thrown for 818 yards in six games, is the team's starter, but is listed as questionable (concussion) for Saturday's tilt. Whomever is under will surely look the way of wideout Syndric Steptoe, the team's leading receiver with 37 catches and 406 yards. Tailback Chris Jennings paces the Wildcats' ground game with 409 yards behind a respectable 4.4 ypc average.

Arizona's defense has played much better than its offense this season and has done a decent job in limiting its opponents to 20.0 ppg and 309.2 total ypg. The unit, which is holding its foes to just 113.4 ypg, could use a few more big plays though, posting just 13 turnovers and 11 sacks in eight games. In the team's last outing, the Wildcats gave up 332 yards of total offense to Oregon State, but made up for that by forcing three turnovers. The defense allowed just three points after the first quarter, giving Arizona a chance to win which it did not in the 17-10 setback. Ronnie Palmer led the Wildcats with 10 tackles, while Spencer Larsen added eight stops of his own. On the season, Larsen heads the team with 62 stops and 5.5 TFLs to go along with a pair of sacks.

The Cougars have hurt themselves at times this season with turnovers (19), but overall their offense has been productive, averaging 25.8 ppg and 413.9 total ypg. The team has been able to run (151.8 ppg) and pass (262.1 ypg) the ball effectively, and is averaging 21.5 first downs per game. Last weekend, WSU rolled 515 yards of total offense, including 405 through the air, in a 37-15 win over UCLA. Quarterback Alex Brink accounted for all the passing yards, and he finished the game with three touchdowns and two interceptions on 28-of-38 pass attempts. Brink has had a successful campaign thus far, completing 63.4 percent of his pass attempts for 2,145 yards with 14 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He has also done a nice job spreading out the ball, as four players have over 300 receiving yards already. Jason Hill leads the team with 579 yards and seven touchdowns, while Michael Bumpus is tops with 55 catches. Last weekend, it was Hill's turn to shine, as he grabbed five balls for 115 yards and a score in the win over UCLA. As for the ground game, it features a trio of backs all of whom have rushed for over 300 yards this season. Dwight Tardy leads the trio and the team with 497 rushing yards and three scores.

Despite allowing 341.0 total ypg, the Cougars have been able to keep their opponents from lighting up the scoreboard, as they are giving up a respectable 18.7 ppg. The reason for this is big plays, as WSU has forced 24 turnovers and recorded 29 sacks in just nine games. Last weekend, the Cougars surrendered 326 yards to UCLA, but made up for it by forcing three turnovers. The defense also did a solid job on third downs, allowing UCLA to convert just 2-of-12 attempts. Eric Frampton posted six tackles and an interception in the win, and he leads the team in both categories (81 tackles, four INTs) on the season. Another player worth noting in All-American candidate Mkristo Bruce, who leads the team in sacks (10), the team in TFLs (12), while ranking second in stops (52).

WSU is clearly the pick here, as it possesses both the better offense and defense. The Cougars should have no trouble putting this game away early en route to a third straight win.

Sportsbook Betting Lines Predicted Outcome: Washington State 31, Arizona 7