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The Fresno State Bulldogs take on the Washington State Cougars in Pullman, Washington, on Saturday, Oct. 3. Kickoff is set for 9:30 p.m. ET on USA.
Washington State is favored by -1.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -125. The total is set at 45.5 points.
Here’s my Fresno State vs. Washington State prediction and college football pick for Saturday, October 3.
Fresno State vs Washington State Prediction
- Fresno State vs. Washington State Pick: Fresno State +1.5 (Play to -2)
My Washington State vs. Fresno State best bet is on Fresno State to cover as a short road underdog. Find the best line available on our live NCAAF odds page and be sure to download the Action Network app for more picks and analysis.
Fresno State vs Washington State Odds
| Fresno State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -106 | 45.5 -110o / -110u | +104 |
| Washington State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 -114 | 45.5 -110o / -110u | -125 |
- Fresno State vs Washington State point spread: Washington State -1.5 (-114), Fresno State +1.5 (-106)
- Fresno State vs Washington State over/under: 45.5 (-110o / -110u)
- Fresno State vs Washington State moneyline: Fresno State +104, Washington State -125
Fresno State vs Washington State College Football Preview
Fresno State Bulldogs Betting Preview
After Week 1, quarterback Jayden Mandal looked like he was going to be the worst in the FBS. He completed just 7-of-17 passes for 77 yards against USC, and Fresno was shut out, 39-0.
But since then, Mandal has thrown for 610 yards with five touchdowns and one interception (67.1% completion) — far from great, but hardly a disaster.
Under head coachMatt Entz, Fresno's blueprint is clear: play physical, take care of the ball and run a bunch. Through four games of 2026, that's been the approach, and it's led the Bulldogs to a 3-1 mark both straight up and against the spread.
Granted, opponent quality should be called into question, as Fresno's three wins came over Sacramento State (137th in consensus power ratings), San Jose State (116th) and Rice (121st), and all were played on the West Coast.
A two-game stretch of Washington State and Boise State should help sort this team out.
Currently, the biggest weakness on this Fresno team comes in the back end. The secondary is extremely young, with four of the top six defensive backs being sophomores (plus a fifth in the top seven who's a freshman).
USC game aside, Fresno hasn't played a team capable of taking advantage of the green secondary, with San Jose State's Luke Weaver being the most talented arm (and he threw four interceptions).
Washington State Cougars Betting Preview
In the scope of the Pac-12 Conference, we don't have a great data point for Washington State as an offense. Its first four games this season came against Washington, Kansas State, Arizona and Duquesne.
Against the three FBS opponents, Wazzu mustered 10, 7 and 24 (seven of which came on a pick-six and seven more came in garbage time); against Duquesne, the Cougars scored 48 with 316 rushing yards.
The Wazzu offensive line has been flat-out bad. Quarterback Caden Pinnick hasn't been able to get in a rhythm this season due to being pressured 60 times and taking 15 sacks (second-most in the country).
Last week, Arizona took Pinnick down seven times. He also had five drops from his receivers in his first 45 attempts, and nobody's been able to wriggle free downfield, leading to just six yards per attempt on the season.
Top receiver Tony Freeman is done for the year, and safety outlet tight end Trey Leckner is out for several more weeks.
Typically, I throw games against certain FCS foes out. While games against Big Sky, Missouri Valley and UAC opponents can give some usable data points, games against most of the Patriot League and NEC are flat-out useless.
However, when an offense like Wazzu's sputters for a 14-7 halftime lead, it's reason for alarm. Until this offensive line shows any sort of fight, Wazzu cannot be trusted.
Fresno State vs Washington State Pick, Betting Analysis
Washington State has floated between a -1.5 and -2.5 favorite with a brief second as a small home 'dog.
When the line approaches -3, Fresno State backers move in; when the line approaches PK, Washington State backers make themselves known. The total teeters at 46 points.
Neither team exudes much confidence from its backfield. A modest point total assures less variance and a higher probability that a short underdog covers or wins, with the game likely decided by a possession (in a game with projected few possessions).
Fresno State has been successful getting after opposing quarterbacks so far this year. Washington State hasn't shown an ability to protect Pinnick under any circumstance. Entz' Bulldogs are more likely to play a clean game with both turnovers and penalties and should see some success running the football. Consensus power ratings slightly favor Fresno here.
With a low total, I'm taking the team prone to making fewer mistakes, even if that team plays on the road.
Pick: Fresno State +1.5 (Play to -2)
Fresno State vs Washington State Betting Trends
