What’s My Line?? (Part One)

Happy Thursday to you, Followers.  Hope you’re having a great week.

As for us at the WSU Football Blog, well, its been a bit crazy here schedule wise.  So, in case you missed yesterday’s ranking of the Pac-12’s marvelous mascots (GREAT JOB HUDDY!), you can click right HERE.

Today, we take a page right from the playbook of one our most venerable Cougar graduates, Mr. Bob Condotta.  Last year about this time, Condotta posted this on his Seattle Times blog,detailing his predicted lines for the coming season.

So, in this post today, we take our initial stab at predicting Vegas’ point spreads for the first half of the 2012 Cougar Football season.  Then, tomorrow, we’ll do the second half.  Sound good?   Then go ahead and juuuuuuuuummmmmmppppppp.

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Followers, before we get to the meat and potatoes of this little post, let’s make a few things abundatly clear.  First and foremost, let me be clear at the onset I AM NOT PREDICTING WHO I THINK SHOULD BE FAVORED in these games.  Nor am I predicting whether or not I think we’ll win or lose any particular contest—that stuff comes in July and August.  I am only predicting what I think the line will be given what we know about us as well as the other teams on our schedule. 

With that in mind, Off we go:

Game 1. @ BYU

Lots and lots to be excited about in this one and Vegas will not suggest otherwise!  On one hand, we have a BYU team that is returning lots of experience playing against a WSU team that will be making its debut under Mike Leach.  This line is sure to have a lot of push and pull in it but here’s to thinking that a 37-30 BYU score represents the type of game that Vegas would call a push.  BYU by 7

Game 2. Eastern Washington

“You know, Wilbur really isn’t that far of a drive from here.”

What can we say about this one? Home opener. Forecasted sell-out.  A decent EWU squad who Vegas will predict has a shot to score points against a young WSU defense with a new scheme.   Not sure whether or not Vegas will offer a line against a FCS foe, but if they did…..WSU by 25

Game 3:  @UNLV

“Can you see how much I heart you???”

Now, things get a bit tougher.  On one hand, UNLV is predicted by many to finish in the cellar of an ever diminishing Mountain West conference.  On the other hand, the game will be nationally televised and will be played in the DESERT HEAT of late summer.  Could that be enough to keep the game reasonably close?  Vegas thinks so.  WSU by 11

Game 4.  Colorado

“Hi, my name is Pete.  And at CU, guy cheer is really, really kewel! Wanna come out and clap with me sometime?”

WSU returns home for the fourth game in 2012, this time for its conference opener against the not-so-mighty Colorado Buffs.  In case you haven’t heard, Colorado is a team that is universally pegged as the 12^th best team in the Pac-12 this year.   However, notwithstanding a potential season opening defeat to Colorado State, there’s also a decent chance that CU could arrive in Pullman undefeated.  And that will keep the line down in a game that COULD be the last in which WSU is favored in  2012.  WSU by 8

Game 5.  Oregon (@Seattle)

“Would you like to practice “AB”stinance with me, my feline friend???”

The Cougs will enter Seattle week to face in what all probability will be an undefeated Oregon Ducks team who will be fresh off a ROUSING thumping of RichRod and the Arizona Mildcats. To be sure, lots of the pundits will be predicting a high flying affair that could, just could, result in a WSU upset.  Unfortunately, Vegas won’t be buying that.  Neither will I. Oregon by 19

Game 6.  @Oregon State

“What could those Beavers be up to now????”

The pivotal month of October starts for WSU against a Beav team that will be struggling to regain respectability and keep Mike Riley away from the Tub.  Tough to know about this one. On one hand, the Cougs could be 4-1 heading into this one fat and sassy.  We also could be 3-2  (we won’t even consider 2-3)..

And the Beavs?  Well, after a layup against Nicholls State, the little chompers figure to get their doors blown off by Wisconsin and then have two very winnable road contests against the Mildcats and UCLA.  Here’s to thinking that Riles has the Beavs coming in at 2-2, allowing Vegas to give the Beavs a nod at Reser.   Oregon State by 2

So, there you have it…Vegas lines for the first half of the year…Now it’s your turn to weigh in, so fire away..

We’ll be back tomorrow with lines for the second half of the season…

All for now.  Go Cougs!