Washington vs Auburn – College Football Predictions
The Game
Yes, guy.
This is one of a number of SWEET match-ups in week one as the Huskies travel to HOTLANTA to face Auburn. The Huskies are legit favorites in the PAC 12 but will almost certainly need to win this game if they have playoff aspirations. I mean, sure they could run the table after this game off a loss, but there is no hiding that this is a YUUUGE game for Washington. Auburn? They would love to get the bad taste of losing out of their mouths. They were a really good team in 2017 but lost to Georgia and UCF to end the campaign.
Let’s GET IT ON, yo.
The Details
Auburn -2.5 Washington (48.5)
MEGALOCKS LINE – Auburn -1
“Vegas” Implied Projected Score: Auburn 25.5 Washington 23
The Match-Up
Washington offense vs Auburn defense
It comes down to this. Can Washington get the ground game going against one of the best (?) defensive lines in college football? RB Myles Gaskin will be given ample opportunity to slice and dice his way for meaningful yards and he is coming off a monster 2017 campaign (1,380, 21 TD). The Tigers were worked by opposing rushing attacks in their final three games last season (211, 238, 169) and we believe the Huskies will keep pounding and hope to wear Auburn down. Keep an eye on LT Trey Adams who is Q as we go to press. Senior QB Jake Browning has one more season at the helm and will be without last season’s #1 target Dante Pettis and emerging TE Hunter Bryant (inj). Will Washington be able to have success through the air? As noted off the top, they might be able to hit some deep shots but only if they get their star RB rolling. <grabs popcorn>
Auburn offense vs Washington defense
The Tigers are also going to have their work cut out for them on offense. Washington allowed a mere 16 PPG last season and return a bevy of returning starters on defense including three of their top-four tacklers and a loaded secondary. Washington allowed just 2.9 yards per carry last season and it will be interesting to see how Auburn’s rushing attack fares in this game. The proven depth at RB is a bit of a concern after the departure of leading rusher Kerryon Johnson (1,391, 18 TD LY) to the NFL (Lions). It seems unlikely that QB Jarrett Stidham will be able to MATRICULATE consistently down the field without getting the RB unit going. The quality of the Tigers’ WR group is also an unknown. <grabs more popcorn>
Trends, Intangibles and More!
Auburn is just 19-32-2 ATS (37%) over the past four seasons…..Washington is sure to miss the services of Dante Pettis who returned FOUR (!) punts for TDs last season and finished as the all-time FBS leader in punt return TDs (nine).
Summary
The two strongest units on the field are the respective defenses. It seems to us that points are most likely to be at a premium.
Conclusion
Official play: None
Lean: Under 48.5.
Note:
‘Lean’ implies we are comfortable suggesting ‘small potatoes’ on the game. Nothing more. < but always stay tuned for updates >
‘Slight lean’ implies we are almost certain to avoid the game and/or total from a betting standpoint even for ‘small potatoes’. We give an opinion for those who need to get down and want advice.