The San Jose State Spartans (3-2, 1-0 MWC) meet the Colorado State Rams (1-3, 0-0) Saturday at Canvas Stadium in Fort Collins, Colo. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the San Jose State vs. Colorado State odds and lines, and make our expert college football picks, predictions and bets.
San Jose State QB Nick Starkel missed last weekend’s 37-31 win over New Mexico State due to a left arm injury and he remains questionable for this one. QB Nick Nash did a good job in his stead, tossing 3 touchdowns, but the defense was trampled. The Spartans have failed to cover four straight.
Colorado State had a bye week following its valiant effort at Iowa. The Rams fell 24-14 to the No. 3 team in the nation, easily covered the 24-point number. They’re 2-0 ATS in their last two, while the Under has hit in three in a row.
Rankings according to the AFCA Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.
San Jose State at Colorado State odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 12:30 p.m. ET.
- Money line: San Jose State +122 (bet $100 to win $122) | Colorado State -150 (bet $150 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): San Jose State +2.5 (+100) | Colorado State -2.5 (-120)
- Over/Under (O/U): 44.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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San Jose State at Colorado State odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Colorado State 26, San Jose State 22
Money line
COLORADO STATE (-150) is a good play at home, mostly due to the health of Starkel. If the starting quarterback for San Jose State is 100 percent healthy this probably goes a different way.
The Rams lost to FCS South Dakota State in their opener Sept. 3 and lost to a terrible Vanderbilt team at home the following week. However, they beat a good Toledo team on the road in Week 3 and played Iowa better than anybody else this season. They’re getting better, and it will show Saturday.
Against the spread
I just prefer the money line here, but COLORADO STATE -2.5 (-120) isn’t a huge risk as long as the line stays under a flat three. The Rams enter 2-2 ATS, but they’re 0-2 ATS as a favorite and at home.
The issue with San Jose State isn’t just under center. A horrific New Mexico State team moved the ball at will against the Spartans, and they might be tired after having traveled to Hawaii, then to Western Michigan, then home, and now to Fort Collins, all since Sept. 19. That will take the wind out of anybody’s sails.
Over/Under
The OVER 44.5 (-115) is the lean here. Yes, we have seen San Jose State hit the Under in three of its last four, while Colorado State enters on a 3-0 Under run.
This won’t be a video game-like affair with a lot of scoring, but the Over should just inch across the finish line in the fourth quarter, as San Jose State is obviously hitting a wall defensively right now.
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