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New Mexico Bowl Odds: Colorado State vs. Fresno State Picks

Written December 17, 2008 by Jason Lowry

Fresno State Colorado State Football

With the Bowl games nearing full swing, we get ready for the action by previewing the upcoming action between the Colorado State Rams and the Fresno State Bulldogs in the 3rd annual New Mexico Bowl from Albuquerque. Colorado State comes in 6-6, as they finished the season 5th in the Mountain west, that had a number of solid teams this season, as for the Bulldogs of Fresno State, they finished up the year at 7-5 and tied for 5th in WAC conference play. For those of you looking to Bet on the NCAA football games this bowl season, the oddsmakers have Fresno State 3 point favorites over Colorado State at Sportsbook.com

Taking a look at the Rams and what they bring to do the table in this one, on offense you will see a lot of the same things you would expect to see out of the Bulldogs, as both these teams like to pound to the football with the run game. For the Rams the big offensive threat comes from Gartrell Johnson, who averaged 99 yards a game this season, with 10 runs going for scores. Now the passing attack isn’t that bad, but has been known to make some mistakes this season, as Billy Farris had 17 touchdown tosses to go along with 12 interceptions, a number you know they hope doesn’t change this weekend. Now Farris does have a solid target to throw the football to, as Dion Morton had 10 touchdowns in the receiving game this season, and seems to be the guy to make the big play when needed.

The Rams defense doesn’t have a lot to speak of, as the defensive front struggles to get pressure on the quarterback, and thats putting it nicely. Colorado State is dead last in sacks per game, and 2nd to last in tackles for loss. Now the defense will have its hands full this weekend against Fresno State and the talented quarterback they got playing, but this is a unit that has got this team to 6 wins and needs just one more big game this weekend. Bet Colorado State Rams +3 at Sportsbook.com

Speaking of the Bulldogs offense and the guy they got under center, Tom Brandstater looks like he will be headed to the league after this season, but though Brandstater has 17 touchdown tosses and is completing nearly 60% of his passes, he does have 11 interceptions, and in his last 3 games he had zero touchdowns and 3 interceptions, so you know they are hoping for a much better performance from this guy. But its not always Brandstater that is asked to do the work, and the Bulldogs might get a nice addition back to their squad in this one, as running back Ryan Mathews is listed as questionable after missing the final 5 games of the season. Now the Bulldogs have solid backups in Lonyae Miller and Anthony Harding, but there is no question Mathews is the guy fans and coaches would like to see on the field if healthy.

The Bulldogs defense hasn’t been helped by the injury bug this season, this unit really struggles to create much of anything on this side of the football. Up front the defense can’t get much pressure on the quarterback and the secondary has just 4 interceptions to speak of. Now the team added 8 forced fumbles, but 12 turnovers for a season is definitely not something to brag about. If the Bulldogs can find a way to stop the run and get their offense back on the field we think they should walk away with a win, but if the defense struggles it could be the Rams making the headlines. Bet Fresno State Bulldogs -3 at Sportsbook.com

Check out the best NCAA football picks for big games this bowl season, and while you are at it grab the latest NCAA football odds for all the games at Betfirms.

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