Utah State ran 88 offensive plays against Idaho State and, somehow, still lost 29-17. HC Bronco Mendenhall now takes his Aggies to Washington, where Huskies HC Jedd Fisch must replace two injured running backs after Sunday’s Apple Cup win. Fisch will need to get more out of both Trey Cooley and Brian Bonner Jr., with one fewer day than usual to prepare his whole team. Below is my preview, prediction, and pick for today’s college football game between the Washington Huskies and the Utah State Aggies.
Here’s how I’ll play it. I’ll be pumping out these predictions for individual games all season, with plenty of coverage here on DraftKings Network. Follow my handle @dansby_edits for more betting plays.
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Washington vs. Utah State prediction, preview
The Aggies needed those 88 plays, all of them, to gain 407 yards (4.63 per play), against an FCS defense. McCae Hillstead threw three interceptions, and Grady Brosterhous threw another. It was an ugly win, even against a G-League quality opponent. Utah State did convert nine of their 15 third downs, which makes the 17 points particularly aggravating. Their quarterbacks just kept giving away possessions the whole offense had worked tirelessly to sustain. To make it worse, last year’s Aggies threw five interceptions all season. I expect fewer giveaways today, but this offense also needs to shorten the sticks before third down.
Javen Jacobs ran for 80 yards on 20 carries against Idaho State. Washington should make those handoffs less productive after allowing 3.3 yards per rush last season, and I wouldn’t want either Utah State quarterback repeatedly dropping back on third-and-8. The Huskies stopped Washington State on all 11 third-down attempts Sunday. They allowed 4.8 yards per play in 2025 and conceded touchdowns on 48.8% of opponents’ red-zone visits. Mendenhall may have to accept field goals himself.
Demond Williams—Washington’s stud QB—completed 24 of 35 passes for 268 yards without taking a sack against Wazzu. His teammates nevertheless committed 12 penalties for 130 yards, and they converted neither of their fourth down conersions. It’s a reasonable expectation that Williams will produce more points if the Huskies stop forfeiting boneheaded yardage. As mentioned earlier, Fisch still has to replace RBs Quaid Carr and Jayden Limar, though, while center Landen Hatchett remains unavailable, and freshman Kodi Greene learns to block college defenders at left tackle. It’s a bit cobbled together up there in the PNW, as it stands.
Utah State vs. Washington pick, best bet
Utah State defended Idaho State considerably better than it protected the ball on offense. The Bengals averaged just 3.83 yards per play and 3.0 per rush against them, and Utah State ultimately held ISU to just five field goals. It’d be foolhardy to ask Mendenhall’s defense to hold Williams to those averages, but I trust it to force a few third downs because of this replacement-level running game.
I’m playing under 55.5. Washington should deny Jacobs consistent rushing yardage and force Utah State to throw against a defense that just dismantled Wazzu’s third-down offense. Hillstead and Brosterhous worry me most: throw four more interceptions, and Williams could score without driving very far. I expect Washington to win 38-10, with Cooley and Bonner carrying more of the second-half workload once the Huskies establish a lead.
Best bet: Under 55.5 (-110)
Projected score: Washington 38, Utah State 10
Best Bet: Washington vs. Utah State u55.5 total points (-110)
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