Gameday Guide: WSU vs. SJSU Spartans

Can the Cougars get themselves up for this one?

Author

Jeff Nusser
September 20, 2024

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In today's newsletter ...

The Washington State Cougars have returned home victorious with the Apple Cup firmly in hand, and back where it belongs. This has led to much rejoicing, as well as what might be the greatest commercial I’ve ever seen:

Cinematic masterpiece.

Anyway, with so much focus on the Apple Cup — combined with the attendant (and totally justified) reveling — you would be forgiven if you sorta forgot that this week’s game is tonight, or that the opponent is San Jose State. Or if you did remember those things, you’d also be forgiven if it entered a space of “foregone conclusion” in your brain.

It probably shouldn’t. Not only can Friday nights get weird, but SJSU isn’t a pushover. I don’t think anyone would try to argue that SJSU is on the Cougs’ level — despite being 3-0 themselves — but that doesn’t mean the Spartans aren’t capable of walking onto Gesa Field as an inspired underdog and flying out of Pullman a few hours later with a win.

The last thing WSU needs right now is a wet fart of a performance coming out of one of the great Apple Cup wins in program history. And you can bet that front of Jake Dickert’s mind will be how to avoid a repeat of last season — which went in the toilet after a 4-0 start and a No. 13 ranking.

Critical Info

  • Matchup: Washington State Cougars (3-0, No. 31 AP) vs. San Jose State Spartans (3-0)

  • Kickoff: 7 p.m. PT

  • Location: Back Home

  • How to watch: The CW (no legal streaming options)

Gamblin’ Report

(consensus as of Thursday night via Vegas Insider — your numbers may vary depending on your sports book of choice!)

Bet

Open

Now

Spread

WSU -14.5

WSU -12.5

Moneyline

WSU -600

WSU -500

Over/Under

55.5

56

Trends: Both teams are 3-0 ATS, and each team has gone under the number twice in its first three games.

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