Colorado State Rams vs. Utah State Aggies Predictions, Odds, Picks

Oct. 22, 2021
Eytan Shander
VI Betting Expert
VegasInsider.com

It’s a return home for Utah State coming off a needed victory last week, but the Rams are also surging at the right time in this Mountain West battle. Maverik Stadium is the spot as both teams kick off Friday night at 9:30 p.m. ET on CBSSN.

Score Prediction

Colorado State 24, Utah State 17

Best Bet

Under

Colorado State -3.5

Colorado State Rams vs. Utah State Aggies Predictions

One team can score in bunches but gives up way too many points. The other team is the opposite - struggling to consistently score but locks teams down. The game script will favor the latter, as Colorado State has been shutting teams down as of late.

They come into this game with the 30th overall ranked defense in the country, but 104 in offense. Utah is legit on offense, 22nd in the country-legit. The Aggies are horrific on defense sitting at 192nd overall. The Rams can still score and will do so enough to win and cover the spread.

CSU has scored 30+ points in two straight games – both wins – and has only failed to score 20+ points in one game. The Aggies struggles on defense seemed to halt last weekend, as Utah State’s win at UNLV snapped a two-game skid. Bottom line for Utah State is how can they stop – or even slow down – All-American TE Trey McBride. The Rams superweapon is good enough to dominate the Aggies all night.

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Colorado State Rams vs. Utah State Aggies Betting Odds

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CSU is a 3.5-point road favorite against Utah State. The Rams are 4-2 ATS whereas the Aggies are 3-3 ATS this year.


The total for this game is 59 points. The under is 8-4 combined for both teams.


Colorado State Rams vs. Utah State Aggies Betting Resources

  • Matchup: Mountain West
  • Date: Friday, October 22, 2021
  • Venue: Maverik Stadium
  • Location: Logan, Utah
  • TV-Time: CBSSN - 9:30 p.m. ET

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Colorado State Rams Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

  • SU: 3-3
  • ATS: 4-2
  • O/U: 2-4
  • ATS - Home: 1-2
  • ATS - Away: 3-0

Everything centers around McBride and getting him the football. His 593 receiving yards leads the Rams, but he’s only secured one of the six TDs thrown by QB Todd Centeio. The Rams will try and run through a soft Aggies front with David Bailey leading the charge. A’Jon Vivens is CSU’s compliment back with only 14 fewer carries on the season than Bailey.

The Rams aren’t blowing off doors with their passing attack, but Centeio has only thrown one pick in six games. Expect CSU to put the ball in McBride’s hands until Utah State overcompensates, then watch the Rams strike.

Utah State Aggies Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

  • SU: 4-2
  • ATS: 3-3
  • O/U: 2-4
  • ATS - Home: 1-2
  • ATS - Away: 2-1

The Aggies have a shot to hand CSU their first conference loss while significantly improving their own position in the Mountain West. They can certainly score points, but the volatility of mistakes is much higher than with CSU. QB Logan Bonner has 11 TDs in the air, but has been picked off seven times.

The Aggies have one main back in Calvin Tyler Jr. and his 477 yards on 5 YPC. Bonner wasn’t stellar by any means last week against UNLV and will have to be better against the Rams. Utah State doesn’t have any All-American TE, but they do have a stud WR in Deven Thompkins.

The Aggies receiver is crushing opponents with 819 yards on 50 receptions, six of those good for scores. It’s never been about offense for Utah State, but they are facing one of the best defenses in the entire conference. Don’t let the Aggies’ offensive prowess distract you from how bad their defense is.,?p>


The Aggies have gone OVER the point total in five of its last six home games when facing a non-AP-ranked school in October. (AP)

Inside the Stats - Colorado State Rams

  • Record: 3-3
  • VI Ranking: 86
  • Points Scored: 148
  • Points Allowed: 117
  • PS/G: 24.7 (94th)
  • PA/G: 19.5 (30th)

Inside the Stats - Utah State Aggies

  • Record: 4-2
  • VI Ranking: 79
  • Points Scored: 174
  • Points Allowed: 177
  • PS/G: 29 (63rd)
  • PA/G: 29.5 (91st)

Key Players to Watch

  • CSU: David Bailey - RB (86 carries, 318 yards, 4 TD)
  • CSU: Todd Centeio - QB (111/185, 1,328 yards, 6 TD, INT)
  • UTST: Logan Bonner - QB (112/189, 1,533 yards, 11 TD, 7 INT)
  • UTST: Brandon Bowling - WR (25 catches, 400 yards, 3 TD)

Injuries

  • UTST: Marcus Moore - DL (Undisclosed-Questionable)
  • UTST: Calvin Tyler - RB (Head-Questionable)
  • CSU: Matt Valecce - QB (Lower Body-Out)
  • CSU: A'Jon Vivens - WR (Undisclosed-Questionable)

Colorado State Rams vs. Utah State Aggies Betting Conclusion

The game features two stars in CSU’s McBride and Utah State’s Thompson. Neither QB is anything special but only one must be for his team to win. If Utah State struggles throwing the football, that’s it. Their defense is 209 th on the ground and won’t be able to get any stops on the Rams.

CSU will be in a great position to run all over the Aggies – especially when it comes to running out the clock. The Rams have covered four straight games despite going 3-1 SU. The biggest concern with taking Utah State – even with the points – is how pedestrian they looked against UNLV. The Rams have a strong running game and a huge weapon in the short-range passing game. All they need is a small lead to keep the Aggies at bay.

Colorado State Rams vs. Utah State Aggies Betting Trends

  • Utah State has failed to cover the spread in nine of its last 13 games.
  • Utah State has failed to cover the spread in six of the last eight home games.
  • Colorado State has gone UNDER the point total in four of its last five games.
  • Colorado State has gone UNDER the point total in five of its last seven road games.