Two of the most productive college quarterbacks in the west will take the field Saturday when Washington State travels to New Mexico at 9:30 p.m. ET on FS1.
Washington State quarterback John Mateer has accounted for 33 touchdowns (22 passing and 11 rushing) this season. New Mexico quarterback Devon Dampier has accounted for 24 (13 rushing and 11 passing), which is tied with Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty for No. 1 in the Mountain West.
Mateer has the edge as a passer. He’s completing 62% of his passes and has thrown for 2,332 yards and just six interceptions. He leads the team with 630 rushing yards, and he’s a big reason the Cougars (8-1) were No. 18 in the latest College Football Playoff rankings.
Dampier leads the Lobos (4-6, 3-3 Mountain West) with 872 rushing yards, and he’s averaging 7.9 yards per carry. He has racked up 2,418 passing yards, but he’s turnover prone, having thrown 12 interceptions.
Dampier and running back Eli Sanders have been tough to stop in recent weeks. They combined for 300 yards and two touchdowns on the ground in New Mexico’s 21-16 win over San Diego State last week. Sanders, a transfer from Iowa State, has rushed for 834 yards and eight touchdowns this season, and he’s averaging 7.1 yards a carry.
New Customer Offers at BetMGM
Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days. One New Customer Offer Only. Add’l Terms
Washington State vs. New Mexico Betting Line
Washington State is a 10.5-point college football betting odds favorite, and the Over/Under is 72.5 points. The Cougars are 11-9 against the spread in their past 20 games as the favorite on the road. New Mexico is 8-11-1 ATS in its past 20 games as an underdog at home.
Washington State vs. New Mexico Prediction
I predict Washington State wins 30-21.
Dampier and Sanders have been nearly impossible to stop on the ground in recent weeks, but the Lobos have struggled to protect the ball this season. They have turned it over 18 times, which is the second-most in the Mountain West behind San Jose State’s 20. New Mexico should keep this one close most of the way, but turnovers might be the difference in what could be a shootout.
Friday Night Matchup
Wyoming at Colorado State
How to watch: 8 p.m. ET, CBS Sports Network
Betting line: Colorado State is a 10-point favorite, and the Over/Under is 46.5 points.
Prediction: I predict Colorado State wins 27-20. The Rams are 4-0 in conference play, and they’re the favorites to face Boise State in the Mountain West Championship, which makes them a dangerous team to face. Keep an eye on Colorado State running backs Justin Marshall and Avery Morrow as the Rams try to spoil UNLV’s hopes of another shot at Boise State in the conference title game.
Saturday’s Games
Hawaii at Utah State
How to watch: 3 p.m. ET, Spectrum Sports
Betting line: Hawaii is a 2.5-point favorite, and the Over/Under is 59.5 points.
Prediction: I predict Hawaii wins 28-14. The Rainbow Warriors have one of the most explosive passing attacks in the Mountain West, and their defense is giving up the fewest points in the conference, surrendering just 22.7 a game. Hawaii quarterback Brayden Schager, who leads the Mountain West with 19 touchdown passes, should lead his team to being one win closer to bowl-eligibility.
Oregon State at Air Force
How to watch: 3:30 p.m. ET, CBS Sports Network
Betting line: Oregon State is a 3.5-point favorite, and the Over/Under is 45.5 points.
Prediction: I predict Oregon State wins 24-17. Beavers running back Anthony Hankerson is 130 rushing yards shy of 1,000 on the season. I believe he’ll get it this weekend while Air Force’s offense comes back down to earth after a 36-28 win over Fresno State last week.
Boise State at San Jose State
How to watch: 7 p.m. ET, CBS Sports Network
Betting line: Boise State is a 13.5-point favorite, and the Over/Under is 61.5 points.
Prediction: I predict Boise State wins 38-30. Broncos running back Ashton Jeanty needs just 89 yards to set the program’s single-season rushing yardage record. I expect he’ll set the mark on Saturday, further strengthening his Heisman Trophy resume. San Jose State wide receiver Nick Nash, who ranks No. 1 in the country with 86 catches and 13 receiving touchdowns, could also be tough to stop in what might be a shootout.
San Diego State at UNLV
How to watch: 10:30 p.m. ET, CBS Sports Network
Betting line: UNLV is a 20.5-point favorite, and the Over/Under is 54.5 points.
Prediction: I predict UNLV wins 35-17. San Diego State running back Marquez Cooper might have a hard time finding his footing against the Mountain West’s top defense against the run. UNLV, led by linebacker Jackson Woodard, is giving up a conference-low 112 rushing yards a game. The Rebels know another conference loss basically takes them out of contention for the Mountain West title, so I expect UNLV’s offense to be aggressive early in an effort to force San Diego State to play catch-up.
