Washington State Cougars vs. Fresno State Bulldogs: A Battle for Pac-12 Supremacy

Introduction

The Washington State Cougars and Fresno State Bulldogs are two of the most storied programs in the Pac-12 Conference. With a combined 9 National Championships and 14 Rose Bowl appearances between them, these schools have established a legacy of excellence in college football. This year's matchup between the Cougars and the Bulldogs is expected to be a hard-fought battle, with both teams looking to make a statement in the Pac-12 standings.

Historical Matchups

The Cougars and the Bulldogs have met on the gridiron 15 times in their history, with Washington State holding a slight edge with a 9-6 record. Their last meeting was in 2018, with the Cougars winning 31-24 in Pullman.

Key Players to Watch

Washington State

• Quarterback Cam Ward: The sophomore signal-caller is one of the most promising young quarterbacks in the Pac-12. He has thrown for 1,650 yards and 15 touchdowns this season.
• Running back Nakia Watson: The senior running back is a workhorse for the Cougars. He has rushed for 800 yards and 11 touchdowns this season.
• Wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling: The junior wideout is Ward's favorite target. He has 35 receptions for 450 yards and six touchdowns this season.

Fresno State

• Quarterback Jake Haener: The fifth-year senior quarterback is one of the most experienced players in the country. He has thrown for over 3,000 yards and 30 touchdowns this season.
• Running back Jordan Mims: The junior running back is a versatile threat for the Bulldogs. He has rushed for 650 yards and six touchdowns this season.
• Wide receiver Jalen Moreno-Cropper: The senior wideout is Haener's go-to target. He has 40 receptions for 600 yards and seven touchdowns this season.

Prediction

This is a tough matchup to call, but the Cougars have a slight edge on paper. They have a more experienced quarterback in Ward and a more talented defense. However, the Bulldogs are a tough and experienced team, and they will be playing at home.

Washington State 31, Fresno State 24

Stories and Lessons Learned

Story 1: Overcoming Adversity

In the 2018 matchup between the Cougars and the Bulldogs, Washington State found themselves down 24-17 in the fourth quarter. However, the Cougars rallied behind Ward, who threw two touchdown passes in the final quarter to lead Washington State to a 31-24 victory.

Lesson Learned: Never give up, even when things are tough.

Story 2: The Importance of Home Field Advantage

In the 2019 matchup between the Cougars and the Bulldogs, Fresno State was a 10-point underdog at home. However, the Bulldogs upset the Cougars 38-31, thanks in part to the support of their home crowd.

Lesson Learned: Home field advantage can make a big difference in college football.

Story 3: The Power of Belief

In the 2021 matchup between the Cougars and the Bulldogs, Fresno State was a 24-point underdog at Washington State. However, the Bulldogs rallied behind Haener, who threw for 450 yards and four touchdowns, to upset the Cougars 40-20.

Lesson Learned: Anything is possible if you believe in yourself.

Pros and Cons

Pros of Fresno State:

• Experienced quarterback
• Versatile running game
• Solid defense
• Home field advantage

Cons of Fresno State:

• Lack of depth
• Struggles against ranked opponents
• Young secondary

Pros of Washington State:

• Talented quarterback
• Explosive wide receivers
• Experienced defense
• Momentum from last season's bowl win

Cons of Washington State:

• Inexperience at running back
• Struggles on the road
• Slow start to the season

FAQs

1. Who is the favorite in this game?

Washington State is the slight favorite in this game.

2. What is the over/under for the game?

The over/under for the game is 55 points.

3. Who is the best player on Washington State?

Cam Ward is the best player on Washington State.

4. Who is the best player on Fresno State?

Jake Haener is the best player on Fresno State.

5. What is the history between these two teams?

Washington State leads the series 9-6.

6. What is the current betting line for the game?

Washington State is a 3-point favorite.

Conclusion

The Washington State Cougars and Fresno State Bulldogs are two of the most exciting teams in the Pac-12 Conference. This year's matchup between these two schools is expected to be a hard-fought battle, with both teams looking to make a statement in the Pac-12 standings. The Cougars have a slight edge on paper, but the Bulldogs are a tough and experienced team. This is a game that could go either way, and it will be worth watching.

Tables

Table 1: Team Stats

Table 2: Individual Stats

Table 3: Head-to-Head History