NCAAF: Colorado State vs. Boise State odds, preview, and pick

The Boise State Broncos have been a gold mine at home for more than a decade, but if things were to ever change, would it come as a surprise to anyone if it happened in 2020?

After they started the season 2-0 and 2-0 against the spread, the Broncos faced off against the BYU Cougars on Friday night and got absolutely demolished, 51-17. BYU is a legitimate top 10 team, with a fantastic quarterback, and the Broncos were playing with their third-string quarterback, but it was still the biggest home loss for Boise State since it entered Division 1 football.

Now Boise State is set to face Colorado State in a Thursday-night matchup as a big favorite.

Boise State vs. Colorado State

Colorado State looked sharp against Wyoming

Colorado State is 1-1 and 1-1 ATS. The Rams lost their first game of the year to Fresno State, then bounced back in a big way with a victory over Wyoming, 34-24. The Rams made use of a +3 turnover margin to cover the spread as three-point underdogs. Nebraska transfer quarterback Patrick O’Brien led the way, with an 18-for-26 performance through the air, for 255 yards and two TD performance, and he also added a rushing touchdown.

Rams are off and running under Addazio

Colorado State will certainly look like a different team this year, under new head coach Steve Addazio. Addazio was formerly the head coach at Boston College, where he engineered a tough-nosed football team that relied on strong offensive line play, power running, and tough defense.

He is the definition of old-school, and while Colorado State has talented receivers, he will still focus his offensive attention on running the ball, as evidenced by his 37 rush attempts last week against Wyoming.

Bachmeier's availability is key

For Boise State, the issue at hand is the health of their quarterbacks. Talented sophomore starter Hank Bachmeier has now missed the last two games, and head coach Bryan Harsin remains tight-lipped about the QB's availability.

Expect this line to move depending on his status. His backup, USC transfer Jack Sears, was knocked out of the game against BYU, which left freshman Cade Fennegan to fill in.

Fennegan did better than the final score indicated, he went 15-for-26 through the air for 182 yards, but his ceiling is only so high at this point in his career. He was a twp-star recruit, and Boise State would be in for a long year if it relied on him to lead the way.

Boise State is a play-against if it has to rely on third- and fourth-string freshman quarterbacks to lead the offense, but my assumption for this game is that either Bachmeier or Sears will be available. If they are not, Colorado State is the play.

Colorado State managed just 18 first downs and gave up 321 passing yards to Wyoming freshman quarterback Levi Williams.

Boise State is 6-2 ATS in its last eight home games, and 5-2 ATS in its last seven games against Colorado State.

Pick: Boise State -13

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