Rationale


@Washington State -12.5 over San Jose State - Over/Under - 55
Washington State 38 San Jose State 17
- Potential letdown from winning Apple Cub in a upset of UW...sandwich game ahead of Boise in week 5...SJ first coach from Navy, all pass...SJ played very weak schedule...How good or bad are they? WSU beat Texas Tech and UW, two respectable wins, coach in 4th year, first year sans Ward, but Mateer, dishing the ball around. As I have pointed out on other strings, Pullman is a very challenging place to play, especially in a night game, yes, the SJ QB tr from WSU, and sure he won't be intimidated by Pullman, but I think there will extra motivation by WSU to demonstrate that perhaps he should have stayed. WSU did not go to a bowl last season. Even with the new schedule, as the Pac 12 recruits other teams from the MW conference, a win and style points are integral, if WSU could fulfill a dark horse chance to get into the CFP...Honestly, only Boise and Oregon State stand in the way of an undefeated season. They are not going to get there with non covers over non P4 conferences...Thus, every game is important...I think WSU wins and covers... - LHH
@Washington -11.5 over Northwestern - Over/Under - 43
Washington 31 Northwestern 14
UW new coach, coming off National Title game appearance; pissed off in that they loss to their hated rival WSU as a quasi home game. First Big 10 game for UW. You know will want to impress. NW is not a good team, and will battle Purdue for the bottom of the expanded Big 10. I think UW wins, and scores a few more for good measure to win and cover. - LHH
Kansas State -6.5 over @Brigham Young - Over/Under - 50
Kansas State 28 Brigham Young 17
I rhetorically ask myself, why am I betting against BYU at home at elevation at night...The answer is I believe the hype of this KSU team, Avery Johnson is dynamic, and getting better, and Kansas State a CFP contender and BYU is not in my opinion. The only reason this spread is so small is due to the marginal play by SMU, rotating QB's, weak SMU OL, and just a lack of chemistry by SMU, who was grossly overhyped in the pre-season. This is a big step up in class for the Mormons. Kansas State has an incrementally better and cohesive D, KSU is battle tested against Tulane and Arizona. I think it will be a close game for a half, and KSU starts to pull away late in the 3rd and finishes the cover in the 4th. BYU has played better than the preseason expectations, but again, Kansas is a big step up. KSU has the lookahead of Ok St, for week 5, but I believe they are disciplined enough to take it one week at a time. Jake Rezleff has impressed thus far, but I think the KSU D will put some pressure on him, while they contain the run. Kansas State will win and cover...LHH