Colorado State vs. Fresno State Prediction, Game Preview


Colorado State vs. Fresno State prediction and game preview. Projecting who wins Saturday afternoon’s matchup between the Rams and Bulldogs.


When: Saturday, Nov. 5 – 3:30 p.m. ET
Where: Hughes Stadium, Fort Collins, Colorado

Mike Bobo’s Colorado State team (4-4) has seen plenty of ups and downs this season. But the Rams are coming off of a bye week and have won two of their last three games against Utah State and UNLV. The one loss in the last span was on the road at Boise State, 26-23.

Tim DeRuyter is gone, and Fresno State (1-8) is looking to make it out of the 2016 season still in one piece. The Bulldogs have not won since Sept. 10 when they took down Sacramento State, 31-3. Since then, they’ve lost seven games in a row to Toledo, Tulsa, UNLV, Nevada, San Diego State, Utah State and Air Force.

The all-time series between these two programs is controlled by Colorado State, 8-5. The Rams won last year’s meeting in Fresno, 34-31.

What To Know About Colorado State

The Rams got a big game from quarterback Nick Stevens in the win over UNLV. He completed 21-of-28 passes for 237 yards and two touchdowns. Both of Stevens’ scoring strikes were split up between Michael Gallup and Danny Nwosu, who combined for nine catches and 106 receiving yards.

Colorado State also got some efficient play in the running game. Marvin Kinsey Jr. rushed for 68 yards and two touchdowns on 10 carries. Dayln Dawkins didn’t find his way into the end zone, but he took 15 carries for 68 yards. Izzy Matthews crossed the goal line twice en route to 49 rushing yards on 14 carries.

What to Know About Fresno State

The quarterback play for the Bulldogs wasn’t as clean. Chason Virgil connected on 18-of-37 passes for 303 yards, three touchdowns and four interceptions. All three of his touchdown passes were caught by KeeSean Johnson, who ended up with 10 catches for 142 yards.

As bad as it was through the air, it was just as poor of an effort on the ground. Dontel James was given 19 carries, and he mustered only 24 rushing yards. Jamire Jordan tacked on 21 yards on three carries.

Advantages

Offense: Colorado State – Stevens is coming off of a great game, and Fresno State is a mess offensively.

Defense: Colorado State – Fresno State is No. 107 in scoring defense (33.8 points/game), and the Rams are No. 70 (27.9 points/game).

Special Teams: Fresno State – Kody Kroening has hit 92.9 percent of his field goals this season and accounted for 59 points.

Coaching: Colorado State – Considering the fact Fresno State just fired DeRuyter, this goes to Bobo.

Matchup To Watch

Nick Stevens vs. Chason Virgil

Fresno State won’t have any chance if Virgil is going to get picked off multiple times by Colorado State. Stevens was spot on throwing the football last time out. And this game is going to come down to whichever quarterback take better care of the football.

Betting Odds

Spread: Colorado State -15.5
Over/Under: 53.5

Colorado State vs. Fresno State Prediction

Colorado State. That’s it. What more do you need? Oh, you mean, you actually want to know how Fresno State will lose this football game? Well, Stevens is going to throw for 250 yards and three touchdowns. Dawkins will do work for the Rams on the ground with 100-plus rushing yards, and Bobo’s team will build off an early lead and cruise to a victory.

Colorado State vs. Fresno State Score Prediction: Colorado State 35, Fresno State 20

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