The 2017 College Football season kicks off with a potentially explosive game as the Colorado State Rams host the Oregon State Beavers in their brand new stadium on Saturday, August 26th. The Rams look poised to make a run at their conference division and continue their streak of 4 consecutive Bowl Games, while the Beavers are looking to rebound from a down 2016 season and accelerate their rebuild.
Colorado State finished the 2016 season with a loss to Idaho in the Idaho Potato Bowl. However, they boasted the 28th scoring offense in the nation, which put up an average of 52 points per game in their last 4 games and returns its starting quarterback, top two receivers, and top three running backs.
Oregon State was able to end their abysmal 2016 season on a high note as they upset their in-state rival Oregon Ducks behind a strong rushing attack. The Beavers will open the 2017 season on the road for the second straight year, with the hopes of riding their talented running back Ryan Nall to victory.
The line for this game originally opened with the Rams favored by 2 points. Since then, it’s moved even more in favor of the Rams at -3.5 points.
As mentioned, the Rams offense was explosive in 2016 especially after quarterback Nick Stevens regained the starting job and led the team to an average of 44.3 points per game during the second half of the season. Stevens started 7 games and threw for nearly 1,900 yards with 19 touchdowns and 5 INTs. In his final game of 2016, Stevens threw for 445 yards.
His Top 2 targets are back and look to parlay their late-season success for the full 2017 season. Leading receiver Michael Gallup (1,272 yards and 14 TDs) and his partner in crime Bisi Johnson (613 yards and 4 TDs) look to be too much for the young and inexperienced Oregon State Beavers secondary that lost two key contributors in Treston Decoud and Devin Chappell.
The Rams aerial attack averaged over 244 YPG, as the Beavers defense allowed almost 210 passing yards per game last season. Combine this passing threat with a Colorado State ground game that returns all three main contributors, which totaled nearly 2,200 yards on the ground and 24 TDs, and you are looking at an offense that should eclipse their 2016 average of 35.3 PPG. Not to mention, the Beavers defense gave up over 30 PPG last year.
The Rams finished 2016 with a 9-3-1 ATS, and 7-1 ATS during their final 8 games. They also boasted an impressive 5-1 SU and 4-1-1 ATS at home in 2016.
The Beavers were 8-4 ATS in 2016, but have lost 13 straight road games dating back to October 2014. They’ve gone 5-8 ATS during their road losing streak and also have a 1-4 record ATS in their last five season openers.