The No. 14 Utah State Aggies and Colorado State Rams are set to collide on the turf at Canvas Stadium. This conference matchup starts at 2:00 p.m. ET and fans can catch the action by tuning in to ATSN. When the two teams met last year, Colorado State emerged victorious by a score of 27-14.
Utah State Aggies at Colorado State Rams Betting Preview
Utah State is the heavy road favorite and is currently giving up 27 points to Colorado State. If the Rams get out in front early it’ll generate a worthwhile live betting opportunity. Oddsmakers have placed the over/under (O/U) at 68 points.
The line has recently shifted up from 26 to where it is now (27). The game’s total has yet to change after it was initially set at 68.
The profitable Aggies have gained 5.0 units so far in 2018 and are 9-1 against the spread (ATS). The team has posted an O/U record of 8-1-1. The hapless Rams have lost 11.8 units this season. They’re 3-7 ATS and own an O/U record of 4-6.
The Aggies are 9-1 straight up (SU), including 6-0 SU against MWC opponents. The Rams are 3-7 SU overall and 2-4 SU in conference play.
Utah State enters this contest on a zero-game winless skid while Colorado State has won zero in a row. The Aggies are coming off a resounding 62-24 victory over San Jose State last week where the Aggies completed 35-of-50 passes for 510 yards and five touchdowns. Jordan Love went 32-for-42 for 491 yards and five touchdowns while Andrew Peasley completed three-of-eight for 19 yards. Darwin Thompson (140 rushing yards on 15 attempts, one TD) and Gerold Bright (54 yards on six carries, one TD) provided the running attack while Ron’quavion Tarver (eight receptions, 74 yards) and Thompson (four catches, 115 yards, two TDs) manned the receiving duties in the win.
Back on November 10, Nevada took care of this Colorado State crew by a score of 49-10. The Rams defense allowed the Wolf Pack to pass for 404 yards and four touchdowns while rushing for 232 yards and three scores. Toa Taua had a productive showing, recording 83 rushing yards on 12 attempts, along with 52 yards on four catches for Nevada. For Colorado State, Collin Hill completed 23-of-40 passes for 186 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Izzy Matthews (36 yards on eight rush attempts) mounted the running game while Preston Williams (seven receptions, 69 yards, one TD) and E.J. Scott (four catches, 36 yards) led the pass-catching corps in the loss.
Utah State has run the ball on 52.8 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Colorado State has an overall rush percentage of 42.9 percent. The Aggies have produced 224 rush yards/game (including 234 per game against Mountain West opponents) and have 34 scores on the ground this year. The Rams are totaling 100 rushing yards per game (110 in conference) and have seven total rush TDs.
Judging by the numbers this season, it seems like the Aggies ought to have an advantage in all aspects of the ground game. Their running backs has generated 5.7 yards per carry while the defense is allowing 3.4 YPC to opponents. The Rams have rushed for 3.1 yards per carry and given up 5.3 yards per rush attempt to opponents.
The Aggies offensive scheme has logged 293 yards per game through the air overall (331 per game versus conference opposition) and has 24 passing TDs so far. The Rams have put up 298 pass yards per contest (318.7 against MWC competition) and have 21 total pass scores.
Defensively, Utah State appears to have the upper hand in both facets. The team has allowed opponents to rush for an average of 134 yards and throw for 226 yards per game. The Colorado State D has allowed 253.4 yards per game to opposing passers and 210.0 yards per game on the ground. The Aggies are giving up an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 4.36 to opponents, while the Rams have allowed a whopping 9.61 ANY/A.
Offensively, Love has put up 2,549 passing yards on the year. He’s completed 192-of-290 attempts with 23 passing scores and only four interceptions. Love has a pristine 9.36 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number is 13.42 over the past two outings.
On the other sideline, Collin Hill has connected on 48-of-88 passes for 474 yards, three TDs and two INTs. Hill’s ANY/A sits at an ultra-pedestrian 4.28 for the year and 3.60 over his past two outings.
RELATED: Week 12 College Football Betting Odds and Predictions
Betting Pick: Utah State Aggies vs. Colorado State Rams
SU Winner – Colorado State, ATS Winner – Colorado State, O/U – Over
Click Here to Start Betting Today!
Notes
Betting Trends
The Colorado State offense has lost six fumbles this season while Utah State has lost 10.
The Utah State defensive unit has sacked opposing QBs 25 times this year. Colorado State has produced just 15 sacks.
Utah State has produced 6.3 yards per carry over its last three contests and 7.7 over its last two.
Colorado State has averaged 2.7 yards per carry over its last three matchups and 1.8 over its past two.
Over its last three matchups, Colorado State is 0-3 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
The Over/Under for Utah State’s last game was 62.5. The over cashed in the team’s 62-24 victory over San Jose State.
In its last three games, Utah State is 3-0 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
The Over/Under for Colorado State’s last matchup was 62. The under cashed in the team’s 49-10 defeat to Nevada.
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