The Washington State Cougars, hailing from the Pac-12, will take on the North Texas Mean Green at DATCU Stadium in Denton, Texas. Both teams come into this Week 3 matchup with identical 2-0 records, marking a key moment early in the 2025 season. With the game set to kick off at 3:30 PM and airing on ESNU, fans can anticipate an exciting afternoon of college football. Washington State has shown a solid start to their season, particularly with a dominant 36-13 victory against the San Diego State Aztecs. Their offense has been productive, especially through the air with 257 passing yards in their most recent game. Despite their unblemished record, this will be their first road game of the season, adding an element of uncertainty as they play away from Martin Stadium. North Texas, representing the American Conference, has been impressive on both sides of the ball. Their commanding 51-0 win over the Lamar Cardinals highlighted their capability to dominate at home. Entering this game with a spread advantage of -5.5, the Mean Green will look to leverage their home-field edge at DATCU Stadium.
North Texas vs Washington State At a Glance
- Game Details: Week 3 game between Washington State Cougars and North Texas Mean Green.
- Venue: DATCU Stadium, Denton, TX.
- Game Date and Time: Saturday, September 13, 2025, at 3:30 PM.
- Broadcasting: Tune in to ESNU for live coverage.
- Current Records: Both teams hold a 2-0 record this season.
- Odds Insight: North Texas is favored with a moneyline of -200, while Washington State is at +165.
North Texas Mean Green: A Strong Start to the 2025 Season
Offensive Performance
The North Texas Mean Green have kicked off the 2025 season with an impressive offensive showing. With 84 points across their first two games, they rank 18th in the nation for points scored. Their passing game, led by quarterback Drew Mestemaker, has contributed significantly with 553 passing yards, placing them 34th nationally.
On the ground, North Texas has accumulated 320 rushing yards, ranking 66th. This balanced offensive attack has also led to 48 first downs, a testament to their ability to sustain drives and convert opportunities.
Defensive Highlights
Defensively, the Mean Green have shown their ability to apply pressure and create turnovers. They have recorded four sacks, placing them 7th in the nation. Additionally, their defense has already snagged an interception, ranking them 2nd nationally.
They have also recovered a fumble, placing them 5th in this defensive category. Allowing just 30 points, North Texas ranks 21st in points against, indicating a strong defensive start to their campaign.
Recent Games Recap
In their opening game against Lamar Cardinals, North Texas dominated with a 51-0 victory. They racked up 329 passing yards and 138 rushing yards, demonstrating their offensive versatility.
Their second game was a closer contest against Western Michigan Broncos, where they came out on top with a 33-30 win. They excelled in the air again with 224 passing yards, highlighting Mestemaker’s effectiveness under center.
Key Players
Quarterback Drew Mestemaker is a standout, with 553 passing yards and five touchdowns in just two games. His zero interceptions reflect smart decision-making and precision passing.
Running backs Kiefer Sibley and Makenzie McGill II have both scored two rushing touchdowns each. Their contribution on the ground has been crucial for the Mean Green’s balanced offensive strategy.
Betting Trends
- SU Last 3: 1-0 (100.0%)
- SU Last 5: 1-0 (100.0%)
- SU Last 10: 1-0 (100.0%)
- SU All Games: 1-0 (100.0%)
- SU as Favorite: 1-0 (100.0%)
- SU in Night Games: 1-0 (100.0%)
- SU in Home Games: 1-0 (100.0%)
- ATS Last 3: 1-0 (100.0%)
- ATS Last 5: 1-0 (100.0%)
- ATS Last 10: 1-0 (100.0%)
- ATS All Games: 1-0 (100.0%)
- ATS as Favorite: 1-0 (100.0%)
- ATS in Home Games: 1-0 (100.0%)
- O/U Last 3: 0-1 (0.0%)
- O/U Last 5: 0-1 (0.0%)
- O/U Last 10: 0-1 (0.0%)
- O/U All Games: 0-1 (0.0%)
- O/U as Favorite: 0-1 (0.0%)
- O/U in Home Games: 0-1 (0.0%)
- O/U Totals ≥ 50: 0-1 (0.0%)
Washington State Cougars Prepare for a Showdown in the Lone Star State
Quarterback Efficiency
The Washington State Cougars have relied heavily on Jaxon Potter this season. With 465 passing yards in two games, Potter ranks 55th nationally. His four passing touchdowns have been crucial for the team, maintaining a clean slate with no interceptions.
Julian Dugger, while not contributing in the passing game, provides depth at the quarterback position. His presence ensures that the Cougars have options should they need to adapt mid-game.
Running Game Concerns
The Cougars’ rushing game has been less effective, ranking 124th in the nation. Kirby Vorhees leads the team with 86 rushing yards across two games. Although no rushing touchdowns have been scored, his contributions remain vital for short yardage gains.
With Angel Johnson and Leo Pulalasi also in the backfield, the Cougars have depth but need more production. A stronger performance from the running game could relieve some pressure from the passing offense.
Receivers in Focus
Joshua Meredith and Tony Freeman are key targets for Potter, combining for over 200 receiving yards. Meredith’s 119 yards and one touchdown highlight his importance to the offense. Freeman, with 107 yards, is not far behind in making critical catches.
Leon Neal Jr. and Trey Leckner have also contributed, with Leckner leading the team with two receiving touchdowns. This diverse group of receivers provides Potter with multiple options in the passing game.
Defensive Strength
Defensively, the Cougars have excelled, ranking 15th in points against. With three sacks and two fumbles recovered, the defense has been opportunistic. Their performance against San Diego State and Idaho has been instrumental in securing early-season victories.
Zero interceptions to date show a potential area for improvement. Yet, the ability to disrupt plays and recover fumbles demonstrates their resilience on defense.
Betting Trends
- SU All Games: 2-0 (100.0%)
- SU as Favorite: 2-0 (100.0%)
- ATS All Games: 2-0 (100.0%)
- ATS as Favorite: 2-0 (100.0%)
- O/U All Games: 1-1 (50.0%)
- O/U as Favorite: 1-1 (50.0%)
North Texas vs Washington State Prediction: Washington State +5.5
Washington State enters this game with an impressive 2-0 record, showcasing a strong offensive performance by ranking 44th in points scored and an efficient passing game with 465 yards. Their defensive unit has also been formidable, allowing just 23 points per game and ranking 15th. These stats suggest that they can compete effectively against North Texas, particularly on the road.
North Texas, also 2-0, has demonstrated a potent offense, ranking 18th in points scored. Their defense, while decent, ranks 21st in points allowed. Despite this, the Washington State Cougars’ ability to put pressure on opposing teams through their passing game could expose North Texas’s defense, which might struggle against high-octane offenses.
Given the odds, with Washington State getting +5.5, it’s reasonable to expect them to keep this game close. The ability of their offense to move the ball effectively through the air, combined with a solid defense, makes them a worthy pick against the spread.
In what could be a high-scoring affair, the prediction leans toward Washington State covering the spread, with a projected final score of Washington State 31 – North Texas 28.
- North Texas vs Washington State Prediction: Washington State +5.5
- North Texas vs Washington State Score: Washington State 31 – North Texas 28
