Gridiron Player Club CFB 1-2 Units (9/20/24)

NFL

1 Pick.

10:00PM EST: San Jose State +13 (2 Units).

San Jose State brought in longtime Navy HC Ken Niumatalolo to run things this season and no they aren't running the triple option. The biggest move is the retention of defensive coordinator Derrick Odum. This is his 8th year as the San Jose State DC and his overall defense has ranked inside the 25 on multiple occasions. They haven't been truly tested just yet, but they've dominated teams good defense dominate, allowing under 200 total yards per game this season. Washington State's a bump in competition but the Cougars lost a lot of talent from last year, mainly QB Cameron Ward. They got a solid dual threat replacement who's sure to make some plays today but he's reckless with the ball. He's a first-year starter that's thrown interceptions in back-to-back games and was fortunate not to cough it up once or twice against Washington.

Offensively the Spartans have gone full Air Raid which is ideal tonight. Washington state ranks 127th in passing yards allowed through 3 games and were 85th a season ago. They had just 3 starters return on the defensive side of the ball. Washington threw for 346 on them last week and Texas Tech 349 the week before. San Jose State has the makeup to move the ball offensively.

This is also a huge let down spot for Washington State. They just went into Washington and beat their in-state rivals 24-19. That was the last remaining Power 5 team on the schedule before they face Oregon State in 2 Months, the only other Pac-12 team. That Washington team they just barely beat isn’t exactly great either. They lost their coaches and brough back just 2 starters from last year. They’ve got a long way to go program wise. San Jose State is a well-coached team that will come ready to play.