Washington State vs James Madison prediction and analysis
Matchup Overview
The upcoming Week 13 college football clash between the James Madison Dukes and the Washington State Cougars promises to be an intriguing battle of contrasting styles and recent form. James Madison enters this contest on a highly confident note, riding an eight-game winning streak and boasting one of the highest-scoring offenses in the FBS over their past four contests. On the other side, Washington State has struggled against ranked opponents and is desperate to turn around a tough season marked by narrow losses, especially away from home.
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Key Factors and Team Trends
- James Madison Offensive Prowess: The Dukes have averaged an impressive 52 points per game over their last four, the highest in the FBS in that span. Their scoring capability is bolstered by a strong fourth-quarter defensive effort, allowing only 2.7 points per game in the final quarter, reflecting discipline and stamina late in games.
- Washington State’s Close Road Losses: The Cougars have suffered several heartbreak losses on the road, with the equal-most FBS losses by margins of three and five points. This indicates both a competitive spirit and questionable closing ability on the road.
- Spread and Scoring Trends: James Madison has covered the spread in six straight non-conference games, showing they often outperform expectations versus unfamiliar opponents. Meanwhile, Washington State has had trouble covering the spread in November games, especially against AP-ranked teams. Additionally, the recent games for Washington State trend towards lower scoring (under the total), whereas James Madison’s recent games trend towards high-scoring affairs (over).
- Individual Standouts: From Washington State, Isaac Terrell has made waves as the leading Pac-12 player in sacks this season, adding defensive pressure. James Madison boasts Alonza Barnett III, who leads the Sun Belt in rushing touchdowns, adding a valuable ground threat to their offense.
- Quarter-by-Quarter Performance: James Madison frequently secures strong starts, having won the first quarter in five of six recent non-conference games, while Washington State has been effective winning first halves in its recent non-conference contests.
Coaching & Intangibles
James Madison’s coaching staff has built a potent offense that can exploit defensive weaknesses late in the game, as evidenced by their fourth-quarter defensive resilience and offensive explosiveness. Washington State, meanwhile, continues to rebuild and has shown moments of gritty fight despite losing streaks. Their ability to close out tight games away from home, however, remains an area of concern.
Prediction Summary
Given James Madison’s red-hot offense, superior recent winning streak, and the Cougars’ difficulties in covering the spread against ranked opponents and in close road games, the Dukes hold a clear edge. Expect James Madison to dominate possession, push the pace, and leverage their rushing and scoring strengths to control the game. Washington State may keep it competitive through strong defensive efforts and halftime resilience but likely falls short in the final quarters.
Prediction: James Madison Dukes win by 14 points or more.
