The Utah State Aggies (1-5 overall, 1-5 MWC) are set to lock horns and match wits with the Colorado State Rams (1-3, 1-3) in a Saturday night (9:30 p.m. ET) tussle at Canvas Stadium in Ft. Collins, Colo. Below, we analyze the Utah State-Colorado State college football betting odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
Utah State at Colorado State: Betting odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 1 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Utah State +375 (bet $100 to win $375) | Colorado State -500 (bet $500 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Utah State +13.5 (-110) | Colorado State -13.5 (-110)
- Over/Under: 53.5 (O: +100 | U: -120)
Utah State at Colorado State: Three things to know
- The Aggies are coming off a 35-7 loss to Air Force (Dec. 3), a setback which dropped them to a 1-5 straight-up and 1-5 ATS record. And the losses have been one-sided. Utah State has averaged just 15.5 points per game (124th FBS) while allowing 35.2 PPG (102nd). USU has been outgained by 198 yards-or-more in each of its five defeats.
- The Rams had their November slate muddied by COVID-19 stoppages and returned to action last week — in a Dec. 5 loss (29-17) at San Diego State — after a 22-day layoff. CSU was a turnover minus-2 against the Aztecs, and the Rams lost a potential cover on two fourth-quarter field goals by SDSU.
- Utah State won last year’s battle (Sept. 28), 34-24, in a contest that saw the Aggies outgain the Rams by nearly 150 yards (444 to 296) and win despite committing four turnovers. USU battled back from three deficits in the game; the Aggies outscored CSU, 20-3, over the final 37 minutes of clock time. Utah State has won back-to-back games in a series that has gone Over six times the last eight meetings.
Get some action on this game or any other matchup with a legal, online bet at BetMGM in CO, IN, NJ, TN and WV. Risk-free first bet up to $500, paid in free bets. Terms and conditions apply. Bet now!
Utah State at Colorado State: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Colorado State 38, Utah State 21
Money line (ML)
COLORADO IS THE LEAN, BUT PASS ON THE PRICE. Something in the neighborhood of Rams -420 would be in an acceptable ballpark.
Against the spread (ATS)
Utah State is 1-6 ATS in its last seven games. Colorado State has some upside beyond some of the surface stats on paper. The Rams rank 105th in the nation in scoring defense but 36th in yardage allowed. They are decent against the run, and that works into USU’s strength on offense. Figure on CSU being able to control the line and force some tough passing downs and/or turnovers.
When the Rams have the ball, it’s weak offense vs. weak defense, but CSU could benefit from some “gravity” in its performance numbers. Albeit in a small sample, the Rams head into this game ranked 127th in the nation in converting third-downs and 125th in red zone scoring percentage. That amounts to a lot of potential points being wiped out so far.
BACK THE RAMS -13.5 (-110).
Over/Under (O/U)
The nod here goes to both offenses being a bit more capable than what has come to the surface so far this fall. TAKE THE OVER 53.5 (+100).
Want some action on this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.
Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Additional college sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:
Alabama / Auburn / Florida / Georgia / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Tennessee / Texas / USC / Wisconsin
Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1622]