The pick: Why Washington State will beat Colorado

PULLMAN – Relative to all the highs this season has brought them, this week has been one of major calamity for the Cougars.

It opened with a 34-point upset loss to Cal, continued two days later when Washington State learned it would be in the market for a new athletic director and certainly didn’t get any better when the Cougars learned they wouldn’t have the services of their top pass-catcher, Tavares Martin Jr., for Saturday’s game against Colorado.

Martin Jr. or no Martin Jr., you’d expect WSU will be able to work out the offensive kinks that kept the Cougars touchdown-less in a game for the first time since 2012. Phillip Lindsay will be a nightmarish challenge for WSU’s young middle linebackers, but if the Cougars can make the Buffaloes one-dimensional – much like they did to Oregon two weeks back – and wear down Colorado’s senior tailback, it could be an aggravating night on offense for the visitors.

I expect it will be and least for a few hours Saturday night, spirits should be high in Coug Land.

The line: WSU by 10

The pick: WSU 44, Colorado 31