The Wyoming Cowboys (1-1, 1-1 MWC) and Colorado State Rams (0-1, 0-1) battle in Fort Collins, Colo., for a 9 p.m. ET kickoff Thursday. Below, we analyze the Wyoming-Colorado State college football betting odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
Wyoming at Colorado State: Betting odds and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 1:41 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Wyoming -167 (bet $167 to win $100) | Colorado State +140 (bet $100 to win $140)
- Against the spread/ATS: Wyoming -3.5 (-110) | Colorado State +3.5 (-110)
- Over/Under: 52.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Wyoming at Colorado State: Three things to know
- Wyoming rebounded after a narrow 37-34 overtime loss at Nevada in its opener to push past a solid Hawaii team at home 31-7 as a 2.5-point underdog. The Cowboys outgained the Warriors 393 to 233 last week, and they doubled them up 24-12 in first downs.
- Wyoming dominated last week’s game in time of possession by a 38:15 to 21:45 margin, riding the coattails of RB Xazavian Valladay for 163 rushing yards and two touchdowns. He is a big star, and picked up the slack with backup QB Levi Williams under center.
- Colorado State was rubbed out at Fresno State last week, getting torched 38-17 in a game it was never in. The Rams did a good job against the run, something they’ll need to do against the Cowboys, allowing just 84 yards to Fresno. However, the Bulldogs dinged them for 348 yards through the air. Dual-threat QB Todd Centeio completed just 10 of 23 passes for 141 yards and he ran for 80 yards.
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Wyoming at Colorado State: Odds, prediction, betting lines and picks
Prediction
Wyoming 31, Colorado State 20
Money line (ML)
WYOMING (-167) is down to Williams under center after QB Sean Chambers had season-ending surgery. So, the Cowboys will rely on the back of Valladay and the run game. Colorado State (+140) did a good job against Fresno State last week on the ground, but that’s mostly because the Bulldogs were doing whatever they wanted through the air. Head coach Steve Addazio has a lot of work to do to whip these Rams into shape, and they’ll be no match for the Cowboys in this one.
Against the spread (ATS)
WYOMING (-3.5, -110) likely would be around a touchdown favorite on the road if Chambers were under center, but he’s not. It won’t make much difference, though, as Wyoming has the best player on either side, and Valladay will make his presence felt like he did against Hawaii last week. The Cowboys are 14-6 ATS in their past 20 games as favorites, and 5-1 ATS in the past six as road favorites, so the6 have the Rams right where they want them. The Cowboys are also 4-1 ATS in the past five trips to Fort Collins, and 4-0 ATS in the previous four meetings.
Over/Under (O/U)
UNDER 52.5 (-110) is a strong play for a number of reasons. First off, Wyoming’s offense threw a blanket on a high-octane Hawaii offense last week, allowing just seven points. HC Craig Bohl’s defense was on fire in its first victory. Secondly, Centeio is very shaky under center and inaccurate. Plus, Wyoming likes to keep it on the ground and chew clock with Valladay, which is also in Under bettors’ favor.
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