College Football Predictions: Colorado State vs. Colorado 9/1/17
Can Colorado hold off their in-state foe, Colorado State, when the two teams meet up tonight at 8PM ET? Here’s our College Football Predictions for tonight’s contest.
ODDS
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, Colorado is favored in this game, as the Buffaloes are getting odds of -3.5 points against the Rams. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 68 points. Colorado has won the last two meetings with Colorado State and the Buffaloes are 6-3-1 against the spread in the last 10 in this series. These two meet from Sports Authority Field in Denver, Colorado. The game will air on the Pac-12 Network.
COLORADO
Colorado posted a 10-4 record in the 2016 season and the Buffaloes were also 10-4 against the spread. The Buffaloes scored 32.8 points per game last season while allowing just 20.5 per game. Steven Montez enters the 2017 season as the starting QB. Montez threw for 1,078 yards and nine touchdowns in limited action last year. Montez has a pair of experienced receivers to throw to in Shay Fields and Devin Ross, who combined for 125 receptions, 1,670 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2016. The team also has Phillip Lindsay back in the backfield. He rushed for 1,252 yards and 16 touchdowns last season.
COLORADO STATE
Colorado State already started its 2017 season. The Rams hammered Oregon State, 58-27 last week, covering the spread in the process. The Rams were 10-3 against the spread in the 2016 season as well. Colorado State pulled away in the second half of last week’s game, flying past the Beavers. Colorado State finished with 525 total yards of offense, including 334 passing yards. Defensively, Colorado State gave up 456 total yards, but they forced five turnovers. Nick Stevens led Colorado State with 334 passing yards and three touchdowns. Michael Gallup added 11 receptions for 134 yards. Dalyn Dawkins was the leading rusher with 67 yards on 15 carries with one touchdown.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREDICTIONS
Colorado State poses a great challenge tonight, but the Rams should be outmatched by this Colorado team. The Buffaloes showed a lot in the 2016 season and they bring back a lot of talent. Montez will need to prove he can handle the full-time quarterback responsibilities, but he has a great defense around him. Colorado won last year’s meeting 44-7 and I don’t see the Rams making enough of a step forward to making this game closer than a 2-score contest.
College Football Predictions – Colorado -3.5