The No. 20 Boise State Broncos (-13) will meet the Colorado State Rams at Canvas Stadium. This conference matchup kicks off at 3:30 p.m. ET and CBS Sports Network is scheduled to broadcast the action.
Betting Preview: Colorado State Rams vs. Boise State Broncos
Colorado State is a big underdog in this MWC game and is currently receiving 13 points. The Broncos are also receiving -550 moneyline odds while the Rams are +375. Vegas has set the over/under (O/U) at 57.5 points. If the favorites get behind early, it would likely create a solid in-game betting opportunity.
The total has not changed after being set initially at 57.5. Having said that, the line opened at 12 so the early action has swayed toward the Broncos.
Both of these teams have rewarded gamblers this season as the Broncos have gained 5.1 units while the Rams are up 1.3 units.
The Broncos are 10-1 straight up (SU), including 7-0 SU against conference opponents. The Rams are 4-7 SU overall and 3-4 SU in conference play.
These two squads met last year with the final result being a 56-28 win for Boise State.
Colorado State enters this matchup on a zero-game winning streak while Boise State has lost zero straight. The Broncos are coming off a resounding 56-21 win over Utah State last week. Their D allowed the Aggies to pass for 307 yards while rushing for 121 yards and two scores. Deven Thompkins had a productive day for the Aggies in that one with 62 yards on two catches. Offensively, Jaylon Henderson completed 16-of-28 passes for only 187 yards and three touchdowns. George Holani (178 yards on 16 rush attempts, two TDs) and Andrew Van Buren (48 yards on 14 carries) led the ground attack while CT Thomas (five receptions, 36 yards, one TD) and John Hightower (three catches, 56 yards, one TD) manned the receiving duties in the win.
Colorado State just dropped a 17-7 game to Wyoming. The defense allowed the Cowboys to kill the clock by rushing for 192 yards on 50 attempts, including two rush TDs. Xazavian Valladay had a solid showing, recording 154 rushing yards on 27 attempts for Wyoming. For Colorado State, Patrick O’Brien completed 17-of-29 passes for 217 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Jaylen Thomas (23 rushing yards on 14 attempts) led the running game while Warren Jackson (six receptions, 95 yards, one TD) and Trey McBride (six catches, 78 yards) led the pass-catching attack in the loss.
Boise State has run the ball on 54.5 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Colorado State has a rush percentage of 48 percent. The Broncos have produced 184.5 rush yards/game (including 190.9 per game against Mountain West opponents) and have 23 scores on the ground this year. The Rams are putting up 136 rush yards per game (95.3 in conference) and have 17 total rushing TDs.
It seems like the Broncos might hold an edge when it comes to RB effectiveness. Their backfield has logged 4.7 yards per carry while their defense is allowing a YPC of 3.5 to opponents. The Rams have rushed for 4.0 yards per carry and given up a YPC of 4.9 to opponents.
The Broncos offensive scheme has averaged 273 yards in the air overall (255.4 per game against conference opposition) and has 26 passing TDs so far. The Rams have put up 306.7 pass yards per game (285 in the MWC) and have 19 total pass scores.
Defensively, Boise State has allowed opponents to rush for an average of 117.4 yards and pass for 228.8 yards per game. The Colorado State D has allowed 175.1 yards per game to opposing passers and 205.4 yards per game on the ground. Both teams allow similar adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) to opponents, as the Broncos have given up an ANY/A of 5.88 to opposing QBs, while the Rams are yielding an ANY/A of 5.96.
Offensively, Henderson has put up 275 passing yards this year. The signal-caller has completed 23-of-40 attempts with four passing scores and has yet to throw an interception. Henderson’s got a sparkling 8.37 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 8.81 over the last two outings.
Patrick O’Brien has connected on 155-of-255 passes for 2,167 yards, nine TDs and four INTs for Colorado State. His ANY/A stands at 7.75 for the season and 5.79 across his past two outings.
Boise State Broncos vs. Colorado State Rams Betting Prediction
SU Winner: Boise State, ATS Winner: Boise State, O/U: Over
Team Betting Notes
- The O/U for Boise State’s last game was set at 54. The over cashed in the team’s 56-21 triumph over Utah State.
- As a team, Boise State has averaged 5.4 yards per rush attempt over its last three outings and 6.2 over its last two.
- Colorado State has averaged 2.7 yards per carry over its last three matchups and only 1.4 over its past two.
- The Colorado State offense has lost 13 fumbles this season while Boise State has let seven get away.
- In its last three contests, Boise State is 2-1 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
- The O/U for Colorado State’s previous game was set at 51. The under cashed in the 17-7 loss to Wyoming.
- Over its last three contests, Colorado State is 1-2 ATS and the under cashed in each of those three.
- The Broncos offense has tallied 11 pass plays of 40 yards or more, while the Rams have accounted for 16 such plays.
- The Boise State defense has allowed eight pass plays of 40 or more yards, while Colorado State has given up five such plays.
- Both defenses have produced 15 rushing plays of 20 or more yards. The Boise State offense has recorded 65 running plays of 10+ yards while Colorado State has accounted for 40 such plays.
- The Broncos defense has allowed nine rushing plays of 20+ yards, while the Rams have given up 22 such runs.
- The Boise State D has 33 sacks on the year while Colorado State has just 27.
