The Colorado State Rams and Wyoming Cowboys are set to square off on the turf at Jonah Field at War Memorial Stadium. ESPN2 has the TV rights and the game’s scheduled to kick off at 9:30 p.m. ET.
Betting Preview: Wyoming Cowboys vs. Colorado State Rams
In this Friday Mountain West game, Wyoming has been projected as the favorite and the team’s currently giving up 7 points. If they want to take the moneyline, bettors would currently have to wager $300 in order to win $100 back on the Cowboys (-300). The Rams are getting +220 moneyline odds. It appears that there will likely be some solid in-game betting opportunities while the showdown is underway, and Vegas has set the over/under (O/U) at 48.5 points.
The game’s total has shifted downward after opening at 49. The original line (-7) has remained consistent.
Both of these teams have been profitable this season as the Rams have gained 2.3 units and the Cowboys are up 6.0 units.
The Rams have gone an ugly 4-6 straight up (SU), including 3-3 SU against conference opponents. The Cowboys are 6-4 SU overall and are also 3-3 SU in conference play.
The Rams dropped one to Air Force 38-21 in a thumping where Patrick O’Brien completed 28 passes for 347 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Warren Jackson (eight receptions, 88 yards) and Trey McBride (six catches, 66 yards, one TD) handled the receiving duties.
Wyoming just fell 26-21 to Utah State. The defense allowed the Aggies to pass for 317 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 105 yards. Siaosi Mariner had a productive outing, recording 123 yards on four catches for Utah State. For Wyoming, Tyler Vander Waal completed 20-of-36 passes for 185 yards and three interceptions. Xazavian Valladay (114 rushing yards on 25 attempts) handled the ground attack in the defeat while Josh Harshman (six receptions, 76 yards) and Austin Conway (five catches, 64 yards) led the pass-catching corps.
Colorado State’s run the ball on 47.8 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Wyoming has an overall rush percentage of 69.3 percent. The Rams have rushed for 144.8 yards/game (including 103.2 per game against Mountain West opponents) and have 17 scores via handoffs this year. The Cowboys are averaging 219.6 rush yards per game (221.5 in conference) and have 23 total rushing TDs.
It seems like the Cowboys might hold an edge in all aspects of the ground game, since their backfield has generated 4.9 yards per carry while their defense is allowing a YPC of 2.8 to opponents. The Rams have rushed for 4.2 yards per carry while allowing a YPC of 5.1 to opponents.
The Rams offensive scheme has averaged 315.7 yards through the air overall (296.2 per game against conference opposition) and has 18 passing scores so far. The Cowboys have put up 134.4 pass yards per contest (148 against MWC competition) and have eight total pass TDs.
Defensively, Colorado State seems to have the upper hand when it comes to limiting the pass. The team has allowed 206.7 rush yards and 184.5 pass yards per game. The Wyoming defense has allowed 282.1 yards per game to opposing passers and 98.3 yards per game to opposing runners. The Cowboys are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 5.57 to opposing QBs, while the Rams have given up a 6.18 ANY/A.
Offensively, O’Brien is up to 2,063 passing yards on the year, and has completed 62 percent of his 242 attempts with 10 passing scores and four interceptions. He has a 7.44 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 6.68 over the last two games.
Look for O’Brien to spread the ball around early and often in this one. Warren Jackson (215 receiving yards and six touchdowns), Dante Wright (705 yards, four TDs) and EJ Scott (215 yards, one TD) have all been heavily involved recently.
In the hosts’ locker room, Tyler Vander Waal has completed 24-of-52 passes for 269 yards, one TD and three INTs. Vander Waal’s ANY/A stands at a horrendous 2.16 for the year and 2.61 across his past two outings.
Look for a balanced offensive approach from Wyoming in this one. Xazavian Valladay, Josh Harshman and Austin Conway have combined to account for 481 total yards as a trio over the last two outings.
When these two schools faced one another a year ago, Wyoming earned the win 34-21.
Colorado State Rams vs. Wyoming Cowboys Betting Pick
SU Winner: Wyoming, ATS Winner: Wyoming, O/U: Over
Betting Trends
- Wyoming has lost three fumbles this season while Colorado State has lost 13.
- The Wyoming defense has recorded 30 sacks on the year while Colorado State has just 22.
- Colorado State has averaged 3.7 yards per carry over its last three outings and 3.2 over its last two.
- Wyoming has averaged 4.1 yards per carry over its last three games and 3.2 over its past two.
- Over its last three contests, Wyoming is 2-1 ATS and the under cashed in each of those three.
- The Over/Under for Colorado State’s previous game was set at 62. The under cashed in the team’s 38-21 loss to Air Force.
- In its last three matches, Colorado State is 2-1 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
- The O/U for Wyoming’s previous game was set at 51.5. The under cashed in that 26-21 loss to Utah State.
