Washington State Cougars vs San Jose State Spartans Picks and Predictions September 20th 2024

Nick Nash, San Jose State take aim at Washington State

Both the San Jose State Spartans and Washington State Cougars enter this week four non-conference matchup with 3-0 records. The game is set for 10:00 ET at Martin Stadium in Pullman, with the CW handling television coverage. The Cougars are favored by -13.5 points, and the over/under line is currently 55.5 points.

San Jose State vs. Washington State Key Information

• Teams: Spartans at Cougars
• Where: Martin Stadium Pullman
• Date: Friday, September 20th
• Betting Odds WASHST -594 | SJST +425 O/U 55.5

The Spartans Can Win If…

San Jose State is off to a perfect 3-0 start after a 31-10 win over Kennesaw State. This game had no betting lines available.

The Spartans took a 3-0 lead in the first quarter and then exploded for 17 points in the second quarter, taking a 17-0 lead at the half. Kennesaw State managed to score in the third quarter, but San Jose State still led 24-10, and the Spartans added seven more points in the fourth quarter to come out on top.

In their 31-10 win, San Jose State’s offense was led by quarterback Emmett Brown, who threw for 355 yards and four touchdowns, completing 68.4% of his passes. Brown’s top target, Nick Nash, caught 17 passes for 225 yards and three touchdowns.

The Spartans’ offense totaled 422 yards, with 67 rushing yards on 22 attempts. Jabari Bates was the leading rusher, gaining 61 yards on 11 carries.

San Jose State’s defense was dominant in their most recent game, holding Kennesaw State to just 10 points and 199 total yards. The Spartans’ defense allowed just 71 rushing yards on 37 attempts and limited Kennesaw State to 128 passing yards on 14 completions. San Jose State’s secondary also came up with two interceptions in the game.

• San Jose State will look to keep things rolling as they have put together a mark of 3-0 over their past three games. The team has also been excellent vs the spread, going 3-0. Their over-under record in these games was 1-2.
• Across San Jose State’s last ten regular season games, their record sits at 9-1. In these matchups, they ended with an ATS record of 8-2 and an over-under mark of 4-6.

The Cougars Can Win If…

Washington State is off to a strong start this season, moving to 3-0 after a 24-19 road win over Washington. The Cougars, who were +6 point underdogs, not only won the game but also covered the spread. This was a big win for Washington State, as they defeated their in-state rival and moved to 3-0. The over/under line for the game was 54 points, but the final score totaled just 43 points, hitting the under.

Washington State led 10-7 after the first quarter and extended their lead to 17-13 by halftime. The Cougars and Huskies each added seven points in the third quarter, and Washington State’s defense held Washington scoreless in the fourth quarter to secure the win.

Washington State’s offense, led by quarterback John Mateer, put up 384 yards in their 24-19 win over Washington. Mateer threw for 245 yards, completing 50% of his passes, and connected with Josh Meredith for 111 yards on seven receptions. Mateer also threw one touchdown and one interception.

The Cougars’ offense moved the chains 25 times, with 139 rushing yards and two touchdowns on the ground, both of which were scored by Mateer, who added 62 rushing yards on 16 carries.

Washington State’s defense will need to tighten up after allowing 452 total yards in their last game. They gave up 326 passing yards on 26 completions and one touchdown, while also struggling to stop the run, allowing 126 yards on just 31 attempts. In total, the Cougars allowed 21 first downs to Washington’s offense.

• Washington State has put together a record of 3-0 over their past three games. Their strong play has also resulted in an ATS mark of 3-0 (last 3). They had an over/under mark of 2-1 in those same games.
• Washington State has put together a record of 7-3 in their last ten games (regular season). Their record vs the spread sits at 6-4 in these matchups, while posting a 5-5 over-under mark.

The Lean

Our projections have Washington State winning their week four matchup against San Jose State by a score of 39-24. With the Cougars as -13.5 point favorites, we expect them to cover the spread.

The over/under line is set at 55.5 points, and with our projected score of 63 points, we recommend taking the over in this matchup.

San Jose State and Washington State, both sitting at 3-0, are set to clash on Friday night in Pullman, Washington. With standout performances on both sides, the game promises to be a high-stakes contest featuring two potent offenses. At the forefront are two dynamic playmakers—San Jose State’s wide receiver Nick Nash and Washington State’s rising star quarterback John Mateer.

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Nick Nash: Record-Breaking Performance Fuels San Jose State

Nick Nash, the Mountain West Offensive Player of the Week, is quickly becoming one of the most dominant receivers in college football. In last weekend’s 31-10 victory over Kennesaw State, Nash put on a clinic, setting a San Jose State record with 17 receptions in a single game. He amassed 225 receiving yards and three touchdown receptions, propelling his team to victory and further establishing himself as one of the top offensive threats in the nation.

Leading the Nation

Nash’s performance this season has been nothing short of spectacular. He currently leads all Division I receivers in several key categories:

• Touchdown receptions: 6
• Total receiving yards: 485
• Receiving yards per game: 161.7
• Total catches: 34
• Receptions per game: 11.3

His ability to consistently perform at a high level has made him a crucial part of San Jose State’s offense, which has been firing on all cylinders.

Sticking with San Jose State

Nash’s decision to stay at San Jose State, despite entering the transfer portal after former head coach Brent Brennan left for Arizona, is an essential part of his success story. Nash credits offensive coordinator Craig Stutzmann’s system for his continued growth as a player.

“Coach Stutzmann is a very passionate guy; he loves this offense—it’s his baby,” Nash said. “That’s why I stayed. I could see the vision, and I’m happier than ever that I did.”

New head coach Ken Niumatalolo expressed his gratitude for Nash’s loyalty to the program, saying, “I’m just grateful he stayed. I tell him that after every win.”

Nash’s chemistry with quarterback Emmett Brown has been crucial for San Jose State. Brown is also coming off an impressive game, completing 26 of 38 passes for 355 yards and four touchdowns. His connection with Nash has become one of the most productive quarterback-receiver duos in the country, and they will be looking to continue that success against Washington State.

Washington State: John Mateer Leading the Charge

While Nick Nash has been setting records, Washington State’s sophomore quarterback John Mateer is making waves in his own right. In Washington State’s 24-19 victory over rival Washington in the Apple Cup last weekend, Mateer completed 17 of 34 passes for 245 yards, throwing for one touchdown and rushing for two more. His dual-threat ability makes him a nightmare for opposing defenses, and he currently leads the country in yards per completion, averaging an impressive 19.2.

Stepping Up in a New Role

Mateer’s rise to the starting role has been a story of rapid development and leadership. After former Washington State quarterback Cam Ward transferred to Miami, Mateer took over as the starting quarterback. In just his third start, Mateer has shown that he’s more than ready for the spotlight, and head coach Jake Dickert has been vocal about his excitement for the young quarterback’s potential.

“You know, he’s just getting started,” Dickert said of Mateer. “This is his third start, and he’s passing and running. He’s just a warrior out there.”

A Clash of Offensive Powerhouses

Both teams come into this game with explosive offenses. San Jose State is riding the high of Nash’s stellar season, and Washington State is fueled by Mateer’s ability to create big plays through the air and on the ground. With both teams unbeaten, this matchup will likely be a test of which playmaker—Nash or Mateer—can lead their team to victory.

For San Jose State, continuing to feed Nash the ball will be crucial to breaking down Washington State’s defense. On the flip side, Washington State will rely on Mateer’s versatility to keep San Jose State off-balance and create scoring opportunities.

Key Storylines to Watch

• Nick Nash’s Dominance: Will Nash continue his record-setting pace and add to his already impressive stat line?
• Emmett Brown’s Accuracy: Can San Jose State’s quarterback maintain his connection with Nash and capitalize on Washington State’s defense?
• John Mateer’s Dual-Threat Ability: Will Mateer’s ability to both pass and run pose problems for San Jose State’s defense?

Both teams have high expectations going into the game, and the outcome may hinge on which star player can outshine the other. With Nash leading the nation’s receivers and Mateer showing elite playmaking ability, the game is shaping up to be a must-watch for college football fans.

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