The Wyoming Cowboys and Colorado State Rams are ready to face off on the turf at Canvas Stadium. The game is scheduled to kick off at 10:00 p.m. ET and CBS Sports Network has the TV rights.
Wyoming Cowboys vs. Colorado State Rams Betting Preview
Wyoming is a live dog and is currently getting 3 points in this Friday MWC game. The Cowboys are also receiving +120 moneyline odds while the Rams are -140. Vegas has set the over/under (O/U) at 48 points, and if one program can get out in front early, it’ll likely generate a worthwhile in-game betting opportunity.
This game’s opening line was -2, while the total hasn’t moved since it opened at 48.
The Cowboys are down 4.8 units so far in 2018 and 2-6 against the spread (ATS). The team has posted an O/U record of 3-4. The Rams have been a disappointment to moneyline bettors this season, losing 9.8 units. They’re 3-5 ATS and have an O/U record of 3-5.
The Cowboys have gone 2-6 straight up (SU), including 0-4 SU against conference opponents. The Rams are 3-5 SU overall and 2-2 SU in conference play.
The Cowboys came up short to Utah State 24-16 in a contest where their defense allowed the Aggies to rush for 141 yards on 33 attempts, including two rush TDs. Darwin Thompson had a productive day for the opposition in that one with 109 rushing yards and both touchdowns on 17 attempts. Offensively, the Cowboys completed 10-of-24 passes for 100 yards and one interception. Tyler Vander Waal went seven-for-19 for 38 yards and one interception while Sean Chambers completed three-of-five for 62 yards. Nico Evans (133 yards on 25 rushes, one TD) and Sean Chambers (100 yards on 19 carries) led the running attack in the loss while James Price (three receptions, 22 yards) and Austin Conway (two catches, 14 yards) shared the receiving duties.
One week ago, Boise State got the win against this Colorado State crew by a score of 56-28. The Rams defense allowed the Broncos to pass for 322 yards and four touchdowns while rushing for 150 yards and two scores. A.J. Richardson had a productive showing in the win for Boise State, recording 137 yards and two touchdowns on six catches. As a group, the Rams collectively completed 31-of-44 passes for 373 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. K.J. Carta-Samuels went 19-for-30 for 238 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions while Collin Hill was 12-of-14 for 135 yards and one touchdown. Izzy Matthews (109 rushing yards on 12 attempts, one TD) spearheaded the ground game in the defeat while Preston Williams (nine receptions, 154 yards, one TD) and Warren Jackson (nine catches, 105 yards, two TDs) led the receiving corps.
Wyoming has run the ball on 57.9 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Colorado State has a rush percentage of 44.5 percent. The Cowboys have run for 150 yards/game (including 143 per game against Mountain West opponents) and have eight scores via handoffs this year. The Rams are logging 114 rush yards per game (141 in conference) and have four total rushing TDs.
If 2018 results are any indication, then it seems like the Cowboys might hold an edge in all aspects of the ground game, as their running backs has generated 4.1 yards per carry while their defense is allowing a YPC of 3.7 to opponents. The Rams have rushed for 3.4 yards per carry and given up a YPC of 5.2 to opponents.
The Cowboys offensive scheme has logged 138 yards/game in the air overall (130 per game against conference opposition) and has three passing TDs so far. The Rams have produced 308 pass yards per outing (348.3 against MWC competition) and have 20 total pass scores.
Wyoming appears to hold an advantage in both areas of the defense. The team’s let opponents rush for an average of 132 yards and throw for 221 yards per game. The Colorado State defense has allowed 251.8 yards per game to opposing passers and 197.1 yards per game to opposing runners. The Cowboys are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 5.92 to opposing QBs, while the Rams have given up a staggering 9.03 ANY/A.
Offensively, Vander Waal has put up 927 passing yards this year, and has completed 53 percent of his 171 attempts with three scores through the air and three interceptions. Vander Waal has a 3.55 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number is 1.06 over the last two outings.
Look for a balanced approach offensively from Wyoming in this one. Nico Evans (745 rushing yards, five rush TDs, 57 receiving yards this season), Sean Chambers (100 rush yards, 0 receiving yards) and James Price (258 receiving yards, one TD) have all played significant roles recently.
On the other sideline, K.J. Carta-Samuels has completed 153-of-247 passes for 1,861 yards, 17 TDs and eight INTs. Carta-Samuels’ ANY/A sits at 6.66 for the year and 6.22 across his last two outings.
Preston Williams (732 receiving yards, seven receiving touchdowns on the year), Izzy Matthews (442 rush yards, three rush TDs, one receiving TD) and Warren Jackson (233 receiving yards, four receiving TDs) have combined to account for 647 yards from scrimmage and five touchdowns the last couple of games.
When these two programs met a year ago, Wyoming knocked Colorado State off by a field goal 16-13.
RELATED: Week 9 College Football Betting Odds and Predictions
Free Prediction: Wyoming Cowboys vs. Colorado State Rams
SU Winner – Wyoming, ATS Winner – Wyoming, O/U – Over
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Notes
Team Betting Notes
Colorado State has lost five fumbles this season while Wyoming has lost three.
The Colorado State D has sacked opposing quarterbacks 14 times this year. Wyoming has recorded 12 sacks.
Wyoming has averaged 4.3 yards per carry across its last three games and 4.2 over its last two.
Colorado State has averaged 4.0 yards per carry over its last three outings and 3.5 over its past two.
Over its last three contests, Colorado State is 2-1 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
The O/U for Wyoming’s last game going into it was 50.5. The under cashed in the team’s 24-16 loss to Utah State.
In its last three games, Wyoming is 1-2 ATS and the under cashed in each of those three.
The Over/Under for Colorado State’s last match was set at 61.5. The over cashed in the team’s 56-28 defeat to Boise State.
Wyoming has lost seven of its last eight games SU, with a three-point victory over Wofford on September 15th representing the only win over that span.
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