Washington State vs. Virginia Picks and Prediction, Saturday, October 18, 2025
Use Code WWWC On Saturday, the Washington State Cougars will play the Virginia Cavaliers at Scott Stadium in Week 8 NCAAF action. The Cavs are 17.5-point spread favorites, and the game total is 56.5 points scored. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET.
This Washington State vs. Virginia prediction highlights a Cougars squad that has lost three of its last four games and a Cavaliers team that has reeled off four straight victories. Saturday's game will be the first-ever matchup between WSU and UVA on the gridiron.
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Washington State played Ole Miss close last game
Washington State (3-3 SU, 3-3 ATS, and 3-3 O/U) lost 24-21 to Ole Miss last weekend. The Cougars were coming off a bye week after defeating Colorado State 20-3.
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WSU played competitively on the road in Oxford last week, losing by just a field goal to a top-five team. The Cougars scored first and led for much of the first three quarters, but were too ineffective on third down (2-for-10) to pull off the upset. The Rebels were 7-for-15 on third down and gained nearly 450 total yards.
“Nobody can question our effort. I’m proud of that effort,” Washington State coach Jimmy Rogers said. “Yeah, like I said, there’s no moral victories. You win or you lose in competitive sports, and nobody will care in a week how well we played. So we lost, and that’s a little bit of a sick feeling.”
Senior QB Zevi Eckhaus is leading the Cougars' offense after the coaching staff benched sophomore Jaxon Potter (604 passing yards with four TDs and three INTs in three games) following a three-interception performance against North Texas. Eckhaus has completed 68.9 percent of his passes in four games this season, totaling 758 passing yards with six touchdowns and two picks. He has also rushed for two scores. Washington State's top pass-catcher is junior WR Tony Freeman (30 receptions for 302 yards and one TD), and sophomore RB Kirby Vorhees (48 carries for 244 yards and one TD) paces the run game.
WSU scores 20.7 points per game (114th) and averages 313.0 total yards (120th), including 226.7 passing yards (72nd) and 86.3 rushing yards (131st). The Cougars' defense allows 28.0 points (97th) and 348.3 total yards (55th) per game, including 192.0 passing yards (39th) and 156.3 rushing yards (92nd).
Washington State Cougars Football Injury Report: OL Christian Hilborn (leg) is questionable for Saturday's game against Virginia.
Virginia won without a lot of offense last week
Virginia (5-1 SU, 5-1 ATS, and 5-1 O/U) has won consecutive games in overtime, beating Florida State 46-38 and Louisville 30-27. The Cavaliers have won and covered in each game except for their 35-31 loss to NC State.
UVA has gotten the college football world's attention this season, racing out to a 3-0 start to ACC play, its best start to conference play since 2007. The Cavs held on to beat Louisville on the road last week despite being outgained by nearly 150 yards, taking advantage of two Cardinals turnovers. Virginia came into the game averaging 539.6 total yards per game, but used a pair of defensive scores to make up for its lack of offense.
“I told the guys, let’s respect the run we are on,” Cavaliers coach Tony Elliott said. “This group wants to continue on and reach more milestones. Maybe a spot in Charlotte (for the ACC Championship Game).”
Senior QB Chandler Morris leads the UVA offense with 1,428 passing yards (69.9% CMP%), 11 touchdowns, and four interceptions. He has also rushed for 176 yards and four scores. Morris' top receiving targets are senior WRs Trell Harris (26 receptions for 384 yards and three TDs) and Cam Ross (28 receptions for 329 yards and two TDs). The Virginia ground game is headlined by senior RB J'Mari Taylor (91 carries for 465 yards and eight TDs).
The Cavs score 43.0 points per game (8th) and average 489.2 total yards (11th), including 271.7 passing yards (32nd) and 217.5 rushing yards (18th). The Virginia defense surrenders 23.8 points (67th) and 358.5 total yards (65th) per game, including 240.0 passing yards (98th) and 118.5 rushing yards (39th).
Virginia Cavaliers Football Injury Report: OL Brady Wilson is questionable to play against Washington State.
Washington State vs. Virginia Pick
Spread Pick for Washington State vs. Virginia
- Cougars +17.5 (5 Units)
The Cavaliers' defense scored a couple of touchdowns last week to make up for a below-average showing by their offense, but they won't be able to cover the spread with a similar performance this week. The Cougars showed a lot of fight against Ole Miss and won't be intimidated by Virginia. They are top 40 against the pass and top 50 in sacks and tackles for loss, as well. The Cavaliers have momentum, but how motivated will they be to pour on the points in a mid-season non-conference game? I believe Washington State has enough talent to play competitively on both sides of the ball — bet on WSU to cover the number.
Over/Under Pick for Washington State vs. Virginia
- Under 56.5 (4 Units)
Does UVA have enough momentum on offense to push the total over 56 points? I'm not convinced this will be a cakewalk win for the home team, as the visitors covered against a top-five Rebels team last game and had a bye the previous week. On offense, Washington State has done a good job of controlling the pace, ranking 28th nationally in average time of possession, but its possessions have not resulted in many points. All of that wasted time will make it challenging for bettors to win a wager on the over.
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