The Utah Utes and the Colorado State Rams will square off in the Royal Purple Las Vegas Bowl. Colorado State (10-2) goes into this game having been victorious in four of its last five, while Utah (8-4) has fallen in three of its last five. The game will begin Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET and can be seen on ABC.
In its last game, Colorado State suffered a narrow defeat against Air Force 27-24. Higgins had an outstanding performance in the loss, catching 12 receptions for 193 yards and two TDs. Grayson also had a big day, contributing 366 yards and three TDs through the air. Utah is looking to repeat their last game when they beat Colorado 38-34 in their matchup. Clay had a big game for the Utes, registering 10 catches for 88 yards and two TDs. Wilson had a great game as well, adding 311 yards and three TDs through the air.
Utah is a four-point favorite in this game against the Rams. The matchup currently has a 58-point Over/Under (O/U). Heading into Week 17 of the college football season, the Rams are 10-2 Straight Up (SU) and 8-4 Against The Spread (ATS). Over their last five games, the Rams have records of 4-1 SU and 3-2 ATS. They come into the game with the 19th-ranked scoring offense in the nation, averaging 35.9 points per game. Chances are Colorado State will keep the ball in the air. They have America’s eighth-ranked passing attack, averaging 326.2 yards per game. Crossing over to the defensive side of the ball, the Rams look to have a distinct advantage in certain spots. Colorado State’s secondary will be licking its chops against the Utes and their struggling pass game this season. Utah averages just 152 yards per road game through the air, ranking 117th in the land. Utah should put the Rams away early because the Utes are one of the worst in the country at allowing points in the fourth quarter. So far this year, they’ve given up an average of 10.5 fourth-quarter points to close the game out.
On the other side, the Utes head into Week 17 with records of 8-4 both ATS and SU. Over their last five games, the Utes have a SU and ATS record of 2-3 for those betting with them. Lately, the Utes have discovered the secret to a better pass defense. They’re allowing only 217.4 passing YPG over their last five matchups. The Colorado State offensive line better prepare this week because the Utes get to opposing quarterbacks with ease. The Utes currently lead the country with an average of four sacks per game. The Utes should be aware that the floodgates tend to open on the Rams during the fourth quarter of home games, when they allow 8.7 PPG. Colorado State will have its work cut out for it when Utah goes to return the ball. The Utes average the eighth-most return yards when playing on the road with 53.2.
Predictions: SU Winner – UTAH, ATS Winner – COLST, O/U – Over
Notes
Colorado State is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games.
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Colorado State’s last 5 games.
Colorado State is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Utah.
Utah is 4-1 SU when leading at the half this season. Colorado State is 7-0 SU when taking a lead into halftime.
Per FBS ratings, Colorado State has an advantage in the passing game. Its offensive passing game (ranked eighth in the nation) will face the 92nd-ranked pass defense of Utah, while its 66th-ranked pass defense will look to limit the 92nd-ranked aerial attack of the Utes.
Utah has given up 21.8 points per contest on the road, which is ranked 17th in the nation. Colorado State has scored 43.2 points per game at home (ranked 13th overall).
