The Rams of Colorado State (-2) are set to welcome their conference counterpart New Mexico Lobos to Canvas Stadium. This afternoon game kicks off at 4:00 p.m. ET and ATSN is scheduled to broadcast the action.
New Mexico Lobos vs. Colorado State Rams Betting Preview
In this Saturday Mountain West game, Colorado State has been tabbed as the favorite and is currently giving up 2 points. The Lobos are also receiving +100 moneyline odds while the Rams are -120. There might be multiple solid in-game betting possibilities for this matchup.
The game’s opening line was initially set at -1, but has recently shifted.
The Lobos are 3-2 against the spread (ATS) and have gained 0.8 units so far. The team has posted an O/U record of 4-0. The hapless Rams have lost 11.0 units this season. They’re 2-4 ATS and have an O/U record of 2-4.
The Lobos are 3-2 straight up (SU), including 1-0 SU against conference opponents. The Rams are 2-4 SU overall and 1-1 SU in conference play.
The Lobos are coming off a resounding 50-14 victory over UNLV last week. The defense did its part in the win, holding the Rebels to just 123 passing yards and 43 yards on the ground. Brandon Presley had a productive day for the Rebels in that one with 53 yards and a score on four catches. On the offense, Sheriron Jones completed 13-of-20 passes for 250 yards and four touchdowns. Tyrone Owens (just 41 yards on 17 rushes, one TD) and Zahneer Shuler (53 yards on 10 carries, two TDs) led the running attack while Delane Hart-Johnson (six receptions, 80 yards, one TD) and Jay Griffin IV (three catches, 30 yards) shared the receiving duties in the win.
The Colorado State Rams take the field this week having just earned a 42-30 win over San Jose State. The defensive unit held its ground in the victory, restricting the Spartans to just 237 passing yards and 48 yards on the ground. Tre Hartley was a bright spot in the loss for San Jose State, accounting for 96 yards and two touchdowns on four catches. For Colorado State, K.J. Carta-Samuels completed 14-of-27 passes for 162 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions. Izzy Matthews (125 rushing yards on 22 attempts, one TD) led the running game while Preston Williams (four receptions, 67 yards, two TDs) and Warren Jackson (four catches, 44 yards, two TDs) led the pass-catching attack in the win.
New Mexico has run the ball on 66.2 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Colorado State has a rush percentage of 44.9 percent. The Lobos have produced 211 rush yards/game and have 14 scores on the ground this year. The Rams are logging 114 rush yards per game (168 in conference) and have two total rushing TDs.
If 2018 results can translate to this game, then it’s looking like the Lobos should hold an advantage in the trenches. Their offensive line has given up just 15 sacks while the D-line registered 21 sacks. The Rams O-line has allowed 13 sacks and their defense has sacked opposing QBs on just 27 occasions.
The Lobos offensive scheme has averaged 248 yards through the air overall and has 15 passing TDs so far. The Rams have recorded 296 pass yards per outing (354.5 against MWC competition) and have 16 total pass scores.
Defensively, New Mexico has allowed 184 rush yards and 263 pass yards per game. The Colorado State defense has allowed 253.5 yards per game to opposing passers and 215.5 yards per game to opposing runners. The Lobos are giving up an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 5.39 to opponents, while the Rams have allowed an 8.44 ANY/A.
Offensively, Jones has put up 478 passing yards this season. He’s completed 60 percent of his 58 attempts with six passing scores and three interceptions. He has a 7.02 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number sits at 12.19 over the last two games.
Elijah Lilly (30 rushing yards, 210 receiving yards, three receiving touchdowns this season), Tyrone Owens (266 rush yards, four rush TDs, 0 receiving yards) and Delane Hart-Johnson (151 receiving yards, two TDs) have each played big roles of late.
K.J. Carta-Samuels has completed 119-of-190 passes for 1,481 yards, 13 TDs and five INTs for Colorado State. His ANY/A stands at 7.17 for the season and 4.93 across his past two outings.
We’re expecting the Rams to control tempo by feeding their ball-carriers early and often. Olabisi Johnson (345 receiving yards, three TDs this season) has stepped up lately, but Izzy Matthews (262 rush yards, two rush TDs, one receiving TD) and Marvin Kinsey Jr. (108 rush yards, 34 receiving yards) have been significant factors in the Colorado State offense.
When these two squads met a year ago, Colorado State won by a field goal 27-24.
RELATED: Week 7 College Football Betting Odds and Predictions
NCAA Pick: New Mexico Lobos vs. Colorado State Rams
SU Winner – Colorado State, ATS Winner – Colorado State
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Notes
Team Betting Trends
The New Mexico defense has 13 sacks on the year while Colorado State has eight.
Both teams have lost four fumbles this year.
The Lobos offense has registered nine pass plays of 40 yards or more, while the Rams have accounted for four such plays.
The New Mexico defense has allowed seven pass plays of 40 or more yards, while Colorado State has given up 10 such plays.
The New Mexico offense has created eight rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while Colorado State has created six such runs.
The Lobos defense has allowed six rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Rams have given up 10 such runs.
Colorado State was getting 3 points in its last outing and the Over/Under was set at 60. The over cashed and Colorado State covered in the 42-30 triumph over San Jose State.
Over its last three matches, Colorado State is 1-2 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
In its last three matchups, New Mexico is 2-1 ATS and the over cashed in each of those three.
New Mexico was favored by 9 points in its last game and the O/U was set at 63. The over cashed and New Mexico covered in the 50-14 win over UNLV.
New Mexico has averaged 4.15723270440252 yards per carry over its last three outings and 4.8 over its last two.
Colorado State has averaged 3.6 yards per carry over its last three matchups and 4.6 over its past two.
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