Colorado State vs Utah State Prediction, Odds, Best Bets - Week 9

Colorado State just won a 56-49 shootout with San Diego State, and Utah State has scored 17 points in each of its last two games at Logan and on the road. The Rams allow 44.0 points per game, so Utah State's struggling offense gets its best chance in weeks against a defense that stops almost nobody.

The Matchup

Hauss Hejny is playing the best football of any quarterback in this game, and Utah State has no answer on its own sideline to match Hejny throw for throw. Hejny went 24 of 31 for 333 yards and 3 touchdowns with 1 interception against San Diego State, and Hejny has 13 touchdowns against 2 interceptions on the season while completing passes at a 7.7 yards per attempt clip for the team.

Colorado State scores 38.6 points per game, throws for 283.0 yards per game, and rushes for 177.1 yards per game at 5.6 yards per carry with 16 rushing touchdowns. Utah State scores 14.9 points per game, the lowest output in this matchup by more than 23 points, and Utah State has scored only 2 rushing touchdowns all season.

Grady Brosterhous threw for 206 yards with no touchdowns against Texas State, and Javen Jacobs ran 14 times for 42 yards at 3.0 yards per carry in that 20-17 loss. Utah State simply does not have a proven way to keep up if Hejny gets Colorado State into the 30s again.

Key Factors

Colorado State's defense is why Utah State is favored at home, and that defense is a genuine problem. The Rams allow 44.0 points per game, gave up 66 to Texas State and 56 to Oregon State, and have only 8 sacks all season, so Brosterhous should have time and Utah State should score more than its 14.9 points per game average.

If Utah State reaches the high 20s, Colorado State has to keep scoring for four quarters on the road, and Hejny has thrown just 104 passes this season in a run-friendly offense that can stall away from home. That is what beats the Rams here. The rest of the matchup still tilts hard toward Colorado State's offense.

Utah State has given the ball away 13 times with 10 interceptions thrown, Colorado State has taken 9 interceptions, and the Aggies allow 23.0 points per game against a schedule that has not included an offense producing 38.6 points per game. Colorado State also converts 47.5 percent of third downs against Utah State's 35.8 percent, which is how a road underdog sustains drives in Logan.

Every pick is published with its line before the game. Odds via consensus sportsbooks at time of writing and move constantly. Must be 21+. If gambling is a problem, call or text 1-800-GAMBLER.