Washington State Cougars: Game 1 vs. Idaho – TV, Weather, Odds, and More
Washington State Cougars Football opens the 2022 season as the Cougs host Idaho. Pacific Northwest Sports has all you need to know.
PNWS presents what you need to know as the Washington State Cougars host Idaho in the 2022 season opener. Whether you are going to Gesa Field at Martin Stadium to the game live at Martin Stadium or watching it on television, we have Washington State football fans covered.
Details
Who: Idaho Vandals (0-0) at Washington State Cougars (0-0).
Where: Gesa Field at Martin Stadium – Pullman, WA.
When: Saturday, September 3, 2021 – 6:30 p.m. PST.
TV: Pac-12 Network. Announcers: J.B. Long and Ryan Leaf.
Weather: Sunny skies, almost no wind, and a zero chance of rain. At kickoff, temperatures will be in the mid-to-upper 70s. It’s great weather to open the new season. (weather.com)
Line: Washington State -28.5. Over/Under: 56.5 (Odds Shark).
Interesting Trends
The Washington State Cougars are 9-1 in their last 10 against Idaho, with 7 straight victories in Pullman. Despite all their internal issues last season, WSU finished the season strong, going 8-2 against the spread. Additionally, the total went over in four of the last five.
Idaho closed out 2021 on a 6-game losing streak, only covering the spread once. A team that struggled with offense, the total went under in 10 of the Vandals’ previous 14 games.
Injury Report
Washington State Cougars
Out – WR Zeriah Benson (eligibility).
Idaho Vandals
None reported.
Outlook
This is a game the Washington State Cougars should win handily. Whether they do or not is another question.
For this iteration of “The Battle of the Palouse,” both teams feature new head coaches and new quarterbacks. Wazzu, however, has superior personnel and playmakers.
Look for Cougs quarterback Cameron Ward to open it up. He has an embarrassment of riches among his wide receiver group, which he will take advantage of early and often. One or all of Renard Bell, De’Zhaun Stribling, Lincoln Victor, or Donovan Ollie could take a long reception to the house.
Offensively, Washington State’s biggest issue will be the five men in front of Ward. It’s an almost entirely new offensive line from the one they had last year, and the group lacks both experience and cohesiveness.
On defense, bookends Brennan Jackson and Ron Stone will be coming after Idaho quarterback J’Bore Gibbs, who followed head coach Jason Eck from South Dakota State. The edge rushers should have time as Cougs corners/nickel Derrick Langford, Chau Smith-Wade, and Armani Marsh are all good in coverage.
The Washington State Cougars ended last season much better than they started it. Head Coach Jake Dickert built momentum in the final month, and it should continue into the 2022 opener.
Catch up with PNWS on Sunday when we present our biggest takeaways from the game.