Washington State visits San Diego State on Saturday night at Snapdragon Stadium, and the Aztecs bring a pass defense that allows nearly 284 passing yards a game. The question is whether a Cougars offense that throws for only about 179 a game can actually cash in.

The Matchup

Washington State Cougars: 1-7 (home 1-3)
San Diego State Aztecs: 3-5 (home 3-1)
Venue: Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego, CA
Kickoff: Saturday, October 31, 7:00 p.m. ET
TV: CBSSN
Line (DraftKings): SDSU -2.5, O/U 47.5

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What Decides It

San Diego State's pass defense is where Washington State has to attack. The Aztecs give up more than 100 passing yards a game above what the Cougars usually produce through the air.

The catch is the Cougars' own passing game. Caden Pinnick has 3 touchdowns against 5 interceptions, so the volume is there to be had, but the efficiency has not been. If he finds Branden Ganashamoorthy early, this defense has shown it will break.

The Aztecs leak on the ground too, which gives Washington State a second path. San Diego State allows nearly 178 rushing yards a game, well above the roughly 120 the Cougars average. Kirby Vorhees does not need to be a workhorse to find room here.

The recent scores show how badly this defense can unravel. The Aztecs gave up 56 points in their last game and 66 two weeks before that. They allow about 36 points a game overall, the kind of number that keeps any opponent in the game.

Washington State's losing streak says the offense cannot be trusted to take what is offered. The Cougars have lost at least 5 straight, and they scored 10 points or fewer in two of those games. Their only win this season came at home.

There were close calls, including a 16-17 loss on the road. But a team averaging nearly 19 points a game has not shown it can keep pace in a shootout, and that is what San Diego State's defense tends to create.

San Diego State has its own advantage on the ground. The Aztecs run for about 150 yards a game against a Washington State front that allows nearly 172. All 3 of the Aztecs' wins have come at home, and their last two home games were wins by 3 points and 2 points.

Players to Watch

Washington State Cougars

Passing: Caden Pinnick – 110-178, 952 YDS, 3-5 (TD-INT)
Rushing: Kirby Vorhees – 59 ATT, 275 YDS, 3 TD
Receiving: Branden Ganashamoorthy – 30 REC, 401 YDS, 3 TD

Ganashamoorthy is the matchup to circle. He leads the Cougars in receiving and draws the San Diego State pass defense this game hinges on.

San Diego State Aztecs

Passing: Jayden Denegal – 83-151, 899 YDS, 7-5 (TD-INT)
Rushing: Javion Kinnard – 91 ATT, 526 YDS, 3 TD
Receiving: Jaylon Hawkins – 18 REC, 322 YDS, 3 TD

Kinnard is the engine. Feeding him against a soft Washington State run defense lets the Aztecs shorten the game and protect their own defense.

Prediction

San Diego State's defense will give Washington State chances, but the Cougars have not turned chances into points during this skid. The Aztecs lean on Kinnard, win at home again, and cover a short number in a game that clears the total.

Pick: San Diego State Aztecs 30, Washington State Cougars 21