The Colorado State Rams and Boise State Broncos are set to collide on the turf at Albertsons Stadium. ESPN2 has the TV rights and this Friday game is scheduled to start at 9:00 p.m. ET.
Betting Preview: Colorado State Rams at Boise State Broncos
Colorado State is a big road underdog here and is currently getting 24 points from oddsmakers. If the Broncos get behind early it’ll create a worthwhile in-game betting opportunity. Oddsmakers have determined the over/under (O/U) to be 59 points.
The game’s total has swung higher after opening at 57.5. The original line hasn’t shifted.
The hapless Rams are down 9.8 units so far and 3-4 against the spread (ATS). They’ve been a good under bet and have posted an Over-Under record of 2-5.
The Broncos have lost 3.6 units this season. The team is 3-3 ATS and has an O/U record of 3-2-1.
The Rams have gone 3-4 straight up (SU), including 2-1 SU against conference opponents. The Broncos are 4-2 SU overall and are also 2-1 SU in conference play.
The Rams got their second W in as many tries after a 20-18 victory over New Mexico last week. K.J. Carta-Samuels completed 24-of-42 passes for 311 yards and one touchdown. Izzy Matthews (92 rushing yards on 26 attempts) spearheaded the running attack in the win while Preston Williams (nine receptions, 93 yards, one TD) and Olabisi Johnson (five catches, 81 yards) handled the receiving duties.
The Boise State Broncos are coming off of a 31-27 win over Nevada. The defensive secondary allowed the Wolf Pack to air it out for 304 yards and two touchdowns. McLane Mannix had a productive outing in the loss for Nevada, recording 109 yards on four catches. For Boise State, Brett Rypien completed 28-of-38 passes for 299 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions. Alexander Mattison (69 rushing yards on 24 attempts) led the ground game in the win while Sean Modster (six receptions, 51 yards) led the pass-catching corps.
Colorado State has run the ball on 45.6 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Boise State has a rush percentage of 48.4 percent. The Rams have produced 113.4 rush yards/game (including 149.0 per game against Mountain West opponents) and have three scores via handoffs this year. The Broncos are averaging 160.7 rushing yards per game (139.7 in conference) and have 11 total rush TDs.
If the results so far this season are any indication, then it’s looking like the Broncos should have an advantage in terms of RB efficiency. Their backfield has generated 4.2 yards per carry while the defense is allowing 3.7 YPC to opponents. The Rams have rushed for 3.2 yards per carry while allowing 5.3 YPC to opponents.
The Rams offensive scheme has tallied 298.1 yards per contest in the air overall (340.0 per game versus conference opposition) and has 17 passing scores so far. The Broncos have recorded 320.8 pass yards per game (274 in the MWC) and have 15 total pass TDs.
Defensively, Colorado State has let opponents run for an average of 203.9 yards and throw for 240.9 yards per game. The Boise State defense has allowed 200.5 yards per game to opposing passers and 123.2 yards per game to opposing runners. The Broncos are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 5.66 to opponents, while the Rams have given up an 8.43 ANY/A.
Offensively, Carta-Samuels has put up 1,772 passing yards this season, and has completed 62 percent of his 232 attempts with 12 passing scores and four interceptions. Carta-Samuels has a 7.24 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 6.29 over the last two games.
In the hosts’ locker room, Brett Rypien has connected on 136-of-192 passes for 1,688 yards, 14 TDs and three INTs. Rypien’s ANY/A sits at 8.67 for the season and 2.92 across his past two games.
When these two teams faced one another a year ago, Boise State won by a touchdown 59-52.
Colorado State Rams vs. Boise State Broncos Betting Pick
SU Winner: Boise State, ATS Winner: Colorado State, O/U: Over
