Fresno St vs. Washington St Recap: Nine Plays Cash in a 26-6 Win

Fresno State beat Washington State 26-6 on the road. The first half was a kicking contest that ended 6-6, with Manaki Watanabe and Jack Stevens trading field goals. Fresno took over after the break and outscored the Cougars 20-0 in the second half. Washington State finished with 182 total yards and 30 rushing yards on 24 carries, and converted 3 of 14 third downs. Fresno held the ball for 35:59. Nine DARIMARKET plays cashed on this game.

What cashed

Fresno State ML (+110 at DraftKings): CASHED

• Our read: Fresno came in 3-1 with three straight wins and a +7 turnover margin. Washington State was at -4 and had not had a back reach 100 yards against an FBS team.
• What happened: Fresno won by 20 and won the turnover battle 2-1. Justin Johnson's interception in the fourth quarter set up a short field goal drive.
• Worth watching: A plus-money price on the team with the better turnover profile is worth checking again. Turnovers swing, so size it like any other play.

Fresno State +2.5 (-112 at DraftKings): CASHED

• Our read: Washington State was 0-3 against FBS teams and scoring 13.7 points a game in those games. QB Caden Pinnick had 5 turnovers in 4 games.
• What happened: Fresno covered by 22.5. Pinnick completed 21 of 34 passes for 152 yards with an interception and lost 23 yards on 11 rushes.
• Worth watching: When one offense has been this limited against FBS opponents, the points on the other side carry weight.

ALT: Fresno State +9.5 (alt, targeted -170 to -200): CASHED

• Our read: Seven extra points of cushion on the +2.5 main. Washington State had not scored more than 3 touchdowns against an FBS team.
• What happened: It cleared by 29.5. Washington State did not score a touchdown at all.
• Worth watching: Adding a touchdown of cushion against a low-scoring offense is a sound way to build an alt spread.

Under 44.5 total points (-115 at DraftKings): CASHED

• Our read: Washington State averaged 13.7 points against FBS teams, both recent meetings went under, and Fresno wins with defense and turnovers.
• What happened: The game finished with 32 points, 12.5 under. Six of the eight scores were field goals.
• Worth watching: Totals that lean on one weak offense are worth a look, but a couple of turnovers can flip them.

ALT: Under 51.5 total points (alt, targeted -170 to -200): CASHED

• Our read: Seven points above the 44.5 main. Washington State had topped 20 only against Duquesne.
• What happened: It landed 19.5 under. The score sat at 6-6 at halftime.
• Worth watching: The alt under gave a full touchdown of room. That margin matters most when the main number is already low.

Jayden Mandal over 182.5 passing yards (-114 at FanDuel): CASHED

• Our read: Mandal had 789 yards, 6 TDs and 1 INT through 4 games, about 197 a game.
• What happened: He completed 24 of 33 passes for 245 yards with no interceptions, 62.5 yards over.
• Worth watching: A steady passer with a season average above the line is a fair angle to check again.

ALT: Jayden Mandal 150+ passing yards (alt, targeted -170 to -200): CASHED

• Our read: Mandal threw for 186 and 210 the previous two weeks, and Washington State gave up 297 passing to Arizona.
• What happened: His 245 yards cleared the alt by 95.5.
• Worth watching: An alt set well under recent output leaves room for a quiet game. That room is the point.

Josiah Freeman over 52.5 receiving yards (-114 at FanDuel): CASHED

• Our read: Freeman was Fresno's leading receiver with 18 catches, 261 yards and 2 TDs in 4 games.
• What happened: He caught 7 balls for 61 yards, 8.5 over. He sat at 37 yards before a 19-yard catch late in the third quarter pushed him to 56. He also ran in Fresno's third-quarter touchdown from 3 yards.
• Worth watching: His long was 19, so this came from volume, not one big play. Steady target share is the part to track.

ALT: Josiah Freeman 40+ receiving yards (alt, targeted -170 to -200): CASHED

• Our read: Fresno's top target went 95 and 66 the previous two games, 65 a game on the year.
• What happened: The same 19-yard catch carried him past 40, and he finished 21.5 over.
• Worth watching: With the main line between 52.5 and 59.5, the 40 alt left a wide gap. That gap is what to look for.

How the game played out

Fresno's first drive after halftime went 56 yards in 6 plays and ended on Freeman's touchdown run. Washington State fumbled on its next snap. In the fourth quarter Watanabe added two more field goals, and Julius Gillick scored from 8 yards after the Cougars turned it over on downs.

Trends to watch

• Watanabe made four field goals, from 27, 22, 31 and 33 yards. Fresno moved the ball but often settled for three.
• Washington State's starting back Kirby Vorhees played and ran 6 times for 25 yards.
• Fresno spread the ball around: Ezekiel Avit added 5 catches for 60 yards behind Freeman.

Stats are from the ESPN box score. New to these markets? Read up on the alt line and point spreads, or see more at the college football hub.