Washington State has a new QB and a new offense, and the Cougars come off a home win against Idaho, 24-17, failing to cover as 21-point favorites. They were down 10-0 to start the game. Now they go to Wisconsin, which won 38-0 last week against Illinois State (and covered 36 points). The running game and defense flexed their muscles, and QB Graham Mertz played a solid game. This spread looks like a neutral-site game number. Wisconsin rolls and covers.

The SportsLine Projection Model has 41 points being scored in this game, and I sure struggle to see more than 48. Washington State managed only 24 points in its season opener against FCS Idaho -- good luck getting to 17 against an always-stellar Wisconsin defense that shut out Illinois State in Week 1. Offensively, UW will dominate time of possession with its ground game and that means running clock. This feels something like Wisconsin 30, WSU 16 but I have no opinion on the spread.