Boise State is a 17.5-point favorite against Colorado State

Boise State enters Saturday’s matchup against Colorado State as a 17.5-point favorite according to DraftKings Sportsbook. The No. 20 ranked Broncos (7-1) travel to Fort Collins to face the Rams (3-5) in Pac-12 play, with the over/under for total points set at 68.5.

The betting landscape shifted slightly leading up to the weekend. While Boise State opened as a 19.5-point road favorite, the spread has since tightened to 17.5 points. For those looking at the moneyline, the Broncos sit at -950, while Colorado State is positioned as a significant underdog at +625, as reported by Sports Illustrated.

Boise State seeks stability after Texas State scare

The Broncos are coming off a game that tested their composure. Despite holding a commanding 28-3 lead in the first half against Texas State, Boise State allowed the momentum to slip away before eventually rallying to a win. That comeback was fueled by backup quarterback Max Cutforth, but the narrow escape left questions regarding the team’s defensive consistency.

“Proud of our team finding a way to win a game that honestly was absolutely going sideways. We’ve got to learn our lesson and be better going forward,” Boise State head coach Spencer Danielson said during Monday’s press conference.

A major storyline heading into Saturday involves the health of starting quarterback Maddux Madsen. Danielson noted that Madsen is currently considered day-to-day, leaving his availability for the Colorado State game uncertain. The Broncos’ ability to maintain their first-place standing in the Pac-12 may depend heavily on whether Madsen can lead the offense or if the team must rely on the depth shown in their previous outing.

Colorado State offense faces a defensive bottleneck

While the betting odds suggest a blowout, the statistical matchup between the two offenses and defenses presents a complex picture. Colorado State possesses what Danielson described as an “elite offense,” characterized by the mobility of quarterback Hauss Hejny and a powerful running game led by Mell Brown and Durell Robinson.

Quarterback collin hill and the colorado state rams offense line up behind offensive lineman

However, the Rams’ defensive struggles are a matter of national record. Colorado State currently ranks last in the country in both total defense, allowing 526.4 yards per game, and scoring defense, giving up 42.4 points per game. This vulnerability is the primary reason oddsmakers have placed such a high spread in favor of the Broncos.

To combat these issues, Colorado State head coach Jim Mora has implemented changes at the defensive coordinator position. The Rams are hoping a new defensive plan can stifle a Boise State unit that has shown it can score quickly, even when the game plan falters.

Matchup Data and Betting Lines

Category	Boise State (No. 20)	Colorado State
Record	7-1 (4-0 Pac-12)	3-5 (1-3 Pac-12)
Moneyline	-950	+625
Point Spread	-17.5	+17.5
Defense Rank	—	Last (526.4 YPG)

The high over/under of 68.5 points reflects the expectation of a high-scoring affair, driven largely by Colorado State’s potent offensive weapons and their inability to stop opposing drives. For Boise State, the challenge is to avoid the defensive lapses that nearly cost them against Texas State while capitalizing on a Rams defense that is struggling to contain yardage.

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The game kicks off at 4 p.m. Mountain time on Saturday, Nov. 7, at Canvas Stadium in Fort Collins, Colorado. Fans can watch the action nationally on the USA Network.