The Colorado State Rams (+14) are set to pay a visit to their in-conference rival Fresno State Bulldogs (-14) at Bulldog Stadium. The game will get going at 7:30 p.m. ET and spectators can view the action live on ESPNU.
Betting Preview: Fresno State Bulldogs vs. Colorado State Rams
Colorado State is a noticeable road underdog in this MWC game and is currently getting 14 points. The Rams are also receiving +500 moneyline odds while the Bulldogs are -735. Some decent live betting opportunities could exist during this game, and oddsmakers have set the over/under (O/U) at 59.5 points.
The Rams are 4-3 against the spread (ATS) and have lost 2.0 units so far. The team’s posted an O/U mark of 3-4.
The Bulldogs are down 2.0 units this season. The team is 2-3-1 ATS and the over’s hit in four of its games.
The Rams have gone 2-5 straight up (SU), including 1-2 SU against conference opponents. The Bulldogs are 3-3 SU overall and 1-1 SU in conference play.
The Rams are trying to maintain momentum following a solid 35-21 victory over New Mexico on October 11. The passing game was on point as Patrick O’Brien completed 25 passes on 34 attempts for 420 yards and three touchdowns. Marvin Kinsey Jr. (85 yards on 25 rush attempts, two TDs) led the ground attack. Warren Jackson (nine receptions, 214 yards, two TDs) and Dante Wright (five catches, 105 yards) shared the receiving duties in the win.
Fresno State is coming off of a 56-27 win over UNLV. Jorge Reyna completed 16-of-23 passes for 229 yards and one touchdown. Ronnie Rivers (51 rushing yards on 14 attempts, two TDs) mounted the running game as Keric Wheatfall (four receptions, 86 yards) and Zane Pope (four catches, 31 yards) led the pass-catching corps in the win.
Colorado State has run the ball on 47.6 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Fresno State has a rush percentage of 49.7 percent. The Rams have run for 151 yards per game (including 76 per game versus Mountain West opponents) and have 11 scores on the ground this year. The Bulldogs are averaging 161 rush yards per game (159.5 in conference) and have 13 total rushing TDs.
If the numbers so far this season are any indication, then it appears the Bulldogs ought to have an edge in terms of effectiveness in the ground game, as their running backs has produced 5.0 yards per carry while the defense is allowing a YPC of 4.0 to opponents. The Rams have tallied 4.4 yards per carry while allowing a YPC of 5.2 to opponents.
The Rams offense has averaged 319.1 yards through the air overall (284.7 per game versus conference opposition) and has 14 passing TDs so far. The Bulldogs have put up 242.5 pass yards per contest (219 against MWC foes) and have 10 total pass scores.
Colorado State appears to have an edge when it comes to limiting the pass. The team’s allowed opponents to rush for an average of 220.7 yards and throw for 177 yards per game. The Fresno State defense has allowed 214.5 yards per game to opposing passers and 155.8 yards per game to opposing runners. The Bulldogs are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 5.47 to opponents, while the Rams have given up a 6.46 ANY/A.
Reyna has connected on 107-of-169 passes for 1,246 yards, eight TDs and three INTs for Fresno State. His adjusted net yards per pass attempt stands at 6.71 for the season and 8.69 across his last two outings. In the other locker room, O’Brien has put up 1,177 passing yards on the year, and has completed 79-of-127 attempts with five passing touchdowns and only one interception. O’Brien has a sparkling 8.76 ANY/A, including 8.81 over the last two outings.
These two conference foes did not get a chance to play each other last year.
Colorado State Rams at Fresno State Bulldogs NCAA Prediction
SU Winner: Colorado State, ATS Winner: Colorado State, O/U: Over
Team Betting Notes
- The Colorado State D has 15 sacks on the year while Fresno State has just nine.
- Fresno State has lost five fumbles in 2019 while Colorado State has let 12 get away.
- The Rams offense has tallied 10 pass plays of 40 or more yards, while the Bulldogs have put up three such plays.
- The Colorado State defense has allowed four pass plays of 40 yards or more, while Fresno State has given up five such plays.
- The Colorado State offense has created 12 rushing plays of 20 yards or more, while Fresno State has created eight such runs.
- The Rams defense has allowed 15 rushing plays of 20 yards or more, while the Bulldogs have given up four such runs.
- The Over/Under for Fresno State’s last outing was set at 52. The over cashed in that 56-27 victory over UNLV.
- Over its last three games, Fresno State is 1-2 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
- In its last three matches, Colorado State is 2-1 ATS and the under cashed in each of those three.
- Fresno State has won four of its last five games SU, with a -19-point loss to Air Force on October 12th accounting for the only defeat over that stretch.
- The Over/Under for Colorado State’s last game was 65. The under cashed in the team’s 35-21 victory over New Mexico.
- Colorado State has produced 2.3 yards per carry across its last three games and 2.4 over its last two.
- Fresno State has averaged 6.3 yards per carry over its last three contests and 6.3 over its last two.
