Washington State Cougars vs Colorado State Rams Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 09/02/2023

Game Time: 7:00 pm ET, Saturday, September 2, 2023

Venue:  Sonny Lubick Field at Canvas Stadium, Fort Collins, CO

Where to Watch:  CBS Sports

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  WSU -12, CSU +12; Over/Under:  54.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  WSU -12, CSU +12; Over/Under:  54.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  WSU -11.5, CSU +11.5; Over/Under:  54.5 points

Washington State Cougars:  0-0 (Pac-12)

Colorado State Rams:  0-0 (MWC)

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Washington State Cougars:  N/A

Colorado State Rams:  N/A

Washington State finished last season with a 7-6 record overall and they had a 4-5 record in their conference games too. They were 4-3 in their home games, 3-2 in their road games, and they were also 0-1 in their neutral site games last season, but they will be on the road for this season opener. Last season, their offense was averaging 26.1 points scored per game while their defense was allowing an average of 22.9 points per game. Their offense also averaged 360.7 yards per game while their defense was allowing an average of 402.3 yards per game. Cameron Ward led the team in passing yards with 3232, Nakia Watson led the team in rushing yards with 769, and De'Zhaun Stribling led the team in receiving yards with 602.

 

 

 

Colorado State finished last season with a 3-9 record overall and they had a 3-5 record in their conference games too. They were 2-4 in their home games, 1-5 in their road games, and they were also 0-0 in their neutral site games last season, but they will be at home for this season opener. Last season, their offense was averaging 13.2 points scored per game while their defense was allowing an average of 26.9 points per game. Their offense also averaged 285.8 yards per game while their defense was allowing an average of 355 yards per game. Clay Millen led the team in passing yards with 1910, Avery Morrow led the team in rushing yards with 834, and Tory Horton led the team in receiving yards with 1131.

The current betting odds have Colorado State listed as a 12 point underdog in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Colorado State was terrible last season with their 3-9 record overall but 2 of those wins came in their home games where they were a lot better. They also have the altitude advantage on their side being at home for this game and they should have a much better team this season too since they did improve in the transfer portal. Washington State finished last season with their 7-6 record overall and also made some improvements in the transfer portal, but they are still going to struggle on the road here with the altitude in this 1st game of the season. Colorado State will also be eager to have a much better season so they will play Washington State tough at home here and even if they lose this game, they will fight hard to keep it close at home. The best way to place a bet here is on Colorado State to cover the spread in this game. 

Washington State Colorado State Prediction:  Our NCAAF Pick for Saturday, September 2, 2023 (7:00 pm ET start time) is WSU 28 CSU 20.

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Washington State Cougars: 8-4 ATS as a favorite. 7-3 ATS in road games. 7-3 ATS when the total is between 49.5 and 56. 17-8 UNDER in all games. 7-2 UNDER when the total is between 49.5 and 56. 7-1 UNDER in non-conference games. 

Colorado State Rams: 4-8 ATS in home games. 6-14 ATS against Pac Twelve conference opponents. 2-6 ATS in non-conference games. 17-7 UNDER in all games. 11-3 UNDER as an underdog. 12-4 UNDER against Pac Twelve conference opponents.

Washington State Cougars:  S. Lockett III (DB) Doub Sat - Hand. L. Smithson (WR) Ques Sat - Undisclosed. D. Sheffield (WR) Ques Sat - Undisclosed. D. Paine (RB) Prob Sat - Undisclosed. L. Falatea (DE) out for season - Knee.

Colorado State Rams:  K. Holles (RB) Ques Sat - Undisclosed. A. Morrow (RB) Elig Sat - Suspension.

“I mean, not a single player has asked me one time about it. We gotta control what we can control. It’s amazing to me. … The old question — how long would it take TV money to destroy college football? Maybe we’re here. Maybe we’re here. To think even remotely, five years ago, the Pac-12 would be in this position, it’s unthinkable to think that we’re here today.” - Jake Dickert on the conference realignment going on in college football.

“It should be a great environment and an exciting first game for our fans. We want to show our fans the kind of football team that we want to be and that they’re going to see this year. I don’t think it’s anything like what we saw last year at all.” - Jay Norvell on his team coming into this 1st game of the college football season. 

WR Williams, Kyle 

WR Kelly, Josh 

WR Sheffield, DT 

WR Victor, Lincoln 

TE Riviere III, Billy 

QB Ward, Cameron 

RB Watson, Nakia 

WR Horton, Tory 

WR Ross-Simmons, Justus 

WR Goffney, Dylan 

TE Holker, Dallin 

QB Millen, Clay 

RB Johnson, Kobe 

Passing: N/A

Rushing: N/A

Receiving: N/A

Touchdowns: N/A

Passing: N/A

Rushing: N/A

Receiving: N/A

Touchdowns: N/A

Coaches:

Washington State Cougars: Jake Dickert (3rd season)

Colorado State Rams: Jay Norvell (2nd season)