All four northwest FBS teams are predicted to win in season-opening games but not all four will find it easy.
A good example is Washington States opener at home against Portland State of the FCS.
Pros for Portland State
Portland State had the second best offense in the Big Sky Conference last year.
PSU returns nifty dual-threat quarterback Dante Chachere who rushed for more than 750 yards last year and completed over 60% of his passes.
Former four-star San Diego State quarterback Will Haskell transferred to Washington last season and is now at PSU. Haskell is a freak athlete with Houdini-like agility that makes him a touchdown threat on every play.
The return of star running back Quincy Craig who averaged over six yards per carry before injury will lead the ground game.
San Jose State transfer receiver Brandon Alvarez should live up to the potential he showed in 2020 at powerhouse Centennial High School in southern California.
The offensive line is expected to be as good with run blocking as it was last year.
PSU returns nine starters on defense.
Cons for Portland State
The Vikings haven’t had a winning season this decade. They lack capable receivers and appear perhaps more vulnerable to the pass than last season.
Although Cachere ran the ball for more than 750 yards, he also was sacked 18 times and lost 144 yards. His 3% interception rate is a significant liability.
The offensive line is a no-show when it comes to picking up blitzes.
There are no proven receivers now that Jermaine Braddock has graduated. Braddock caught more passes than the next three receivers combined so his loss is substantial.
Pass defense was awful last year. The PSU front seven looks capable behind Freshman All American linebacker Michael Montgomery but the secondary needs to find some play makers.
Pros for Washington State
Over all, Washington State has a stronger roster and greater depth.
For the first time in months, the WSU rush attack will appear decent. It isn’t good, but Portland State is not likely to stop it.
Washington State is a passing team and that will be an exposed nerve for Portland State’s secondary.
The Cougars are pretty good at bringing pressure and I expect to see plenty of that since PSU’s offensive line is vulnerable.
Receiver Kris Hutson has transferred to WSU from Oregon.
Despite WSU’s history of weak quarterback protection, Portland State will simply not be able to take advantage.
Cons for Washington State
Have the Cougars recovered from last year’s massive crash last year?
The offensive line must prove it can actually protect quarterbacks and running backs.
That OL gave up 38 sacks last year.
The loss of qb Cameron Ward is a big set back and backup John Mateer didn’t earn much playing time the past two years.
The secondary must find some play makers since last year’s stars have departed.
Prediction:
Bookmakers say Washington State will win by more than 30 points and total game points will exceed 61.
However, Portland State is an outstanding rush team with the ability to control the clock. That will reduce both the margin and the total points.
My savvygamline prediction index says Washington State will prevail 42-19.
Weber State at Washington
The Weber State Wildcats were 6-5 last year and are ranked in the FCS top-25 now.
Pros for Weber State
Weber St. returns its starting quarterback Richie Munoz and plenty of skill to go with him. Munoz gained notice when he led the Wildcats to a win over #4 Idaho last season. After 147 passing attempts, Munoz threw just one interception.
Damon Bankston has recovered from an injury and may be the best running back in the Big Sky.
The offensive line has three FBS transfers to start this season.
WSU had a top-40 defense in 2023 and it appears to be even better now. The ‘Cats will stop the run and bring plenty of pressure to quarterbacks.
The defensive front has a lot of returning experience and now has Kemari Munier-Bailey who transferred in from Fresno State. This group was one of the best run-stop units in Americ and should be as good now.
The Wildcat defense accounted for a whopping 35 sacks last year.
Cons for Weber State
Four starters are gone from an offensive line that was serviceable but mostly unimpressive.
The receiving group must be rebuilt. Watch for Jayleen Record to make some headlines and other spots adequately filled by three FBS transfers.
The Weber State secondary appears to still be vulnerable, especially to agile dual threat quarterbacks who can escape pressure. Opponents will continue to pick on this group until it proves it can get stops.
Pros for Washington
The Huskies lost a lot of talent but still return a roster much stronger than Weber State.
The Huskies have Mississippi State transfer quarterback Will Rogers who is the second-leading all time passer in division one history. Although he is not a runner as was Michael Penix Jr., Howard is every bit as effective as a quarterback.
Running backs will be strong with sensational Arizona transfer Jonah Coleman and the return of Cameron Davis.
Jeremiah Hunter has transferred from Berkeley where he was Cal’s leading receiver.
The defensive front is going to be tremendous.
Arizona superstar cornerback Ephesians Prysock is unstoppable.
Cons for Washington
Neither the coaching staff nor the roster is as strong as 2023.
Magic man Penix is gone.
The offensive line and the receiving corps are almost completely being rebuilt.
Washington’s defense could not bring pressure and all four defensive line starters are gone. Is new coach Jedd Fisch enough of a pressure master to change that?
The prediction:
Washington has a clear advantage in roster strength and the UW coaching staff is one of the best in America.
My Savvy Index system agrees with the experts that Washington will win by 27 points but cites total game points will be higher than 52.5 projected by bookmakers.
Idaho State at Oregon State
Oregon State won eight games last year. Idaho State lost eight games. Two of those eight losses were to FBS opponents.
Pros for Idaho State
The Bengals return 18 starters.
Cody Hawkins (son of former Colorado and current UC Davis coach) has produced sharp, upward momentum in his two years at ISU.
Top running back Justice Jackson has transferred in from Eastern Washington.
If ISU can find a quarterback, receiver Christian Fredericksen may be one of the nation’s best.
The offensive line is back to full health after an incredible number of injuries last year. It also has more depth in 2024.
Calvin Pitcher is an All American prospect at safety.
Cons for Idaho State
Both of the top two quarterbacks are gone from the nation’s number one passing offense. Seven quarterbacks are vying to start. I recall the saying, “If you have two quarterbacks, it means you have no quarterbacks.” What happens when you have seven?
Idaho State has led the nation in number of interceptions thrown for the past two years.The entire ISU defense was weak and unable to stop opposing rushers, stop first downs, or get turnovers or sacks. In other words, a universal nothing burger.
Pros for Oregon State
The Beavers have a much stronger roster than Idaho State.
OSU excels at defense, defense, and more defense. Expect rushing teams to throw tantrums trying to get through the front of the Beaver defense.
Linebackers abound and the nation is watching to see what Liberty transfer cornerback Kobe Singleton does in 2024.
Head coach Trent Bray made a spectacular move when he hired Keith Heyward to be his defensive coordinator.
There are three outstanding quarterbacks in the system. Idaho transfer Gevani McCoy was named the starter this week but I suspect Gabarri Johnson will take over before September ends.
The change in offensive schemes should make up for a drop in talent.
Running backs are effective and numerous led by Jam Griffin and Colorado transfer Anthony Hankerson.
Cons for Oregon State
The offense lost a lot of talent.
The offensive line is terribly weak and showed its ineptness in the Spring Showcase.
Stretch receivers are few and far between so I expect to see 90 receptions and nearly 1000 yards by Michigan transfer Darrius Clemons.
The prediction:
No one expects to see Idaho State win this game but Oregon State’s lagging offense opens the door for that possibility. My Index says the Beavers will win this one 45-19.
Idaho at Oregon
IU was 9-4, ranked in the top five, and an FCS semi finalist last year.
Pros for Idaho
The Vandals return a half-dozen all Big Sky players.
Head coach Jason Eck has vaulted this program to new heights in both of his years in Moscow.
Jack Layne will take over at quarterback and he looks to be a great replacement for departed starter Gevani McCoy. Those in the know suggest Layne will be an upgrade.
Skill players have not reached stardom but they are plentiful and capable.
Idaho’s defense will be one of the best in FCS this season. It has eight seasoned players on the defensive line and a dizzying number of impressive corners and safeties.
Cons for Idaho
Elite quarterback McCoy transferred to Oregon State where he was just named the starter.
Two all conference receivers left for the NFL and top running back Anthony Woods transferred to Utah.
The offensive line is going to take some work and needs to prove itself.
Pros for Oregon
Dillon Gabriel takes over at quarterback and he will produce Heisman stats if he stays healthy.
The running back room is loaded and deep.
Receivers may be the most abundant and productive of any in America.
The offensive line has some new faces but some of those appear to be upgrades. The OL will be one of the nation’s best.
There are plenty of linebackers and secondary players, enough to think this might become an elite pass defense.
Cons for Oregon
The Ducks could not stop the run in 2023.
The Ducks could not win the big games last year.
Prediction:
This year, Oregon is an elite contender at the highest level of college football.
Idaho is a fast-growing program and a national contender at the second level.
Experts say Oregon will win by 43.5.
My Index says it will be Oregon, 57-3.
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