UTAH -3 over CSU Las Vegas Bowl
This matchup looks even upon first glance but after my breakdown of both teams there are clear advantages that point to a Utah win and cover. Utah comes in 8-4 overall including notable wins vs USC, UCLA, and Stanford in the Pac12. Colorado State comes in at a respectable 10-2 overall however their most notable wins may be Utah St. and Nevada and spent most of their schedule running up the score on inferior competition.
On offense, Utah boasts a strong ground game with Booker and an efficient steady play at QB Wilson who has taken care of the ball this year with 17TD/4 INT on the year. They avg. about 30ppg. CSU plays an Alabama-style pro offense with a balanced rushing and air attack behind a solid QB Grayson whos lit up the field with 32 TDs on the year and a legit WR in Higgins.
On defense Utah is strong against the pass in the top 3 in the Pac12 but with somewhat of a porous run D that gives up 158 ypg. Orchard is one of the best pass rushers in college and a reason why his pressure on opposing QBs have not just produces sacks but helped with coverage. CSU defensively is 23rd overall in pts allowed but much of it comes against poor competition.
Ultimately the difference maker here is the enormous gap in competition week in and week out in the 2014 season where Utah played ranked teams almost every couple weeks where as CSU despite playing Boise early, it was about the only team coming close to being ranked. While they are a respectable team with a good QB and offensive system they are going to battle against a Utah team that is tested physically and mentally in the best of competition, Whittingham also is 7-1 in bowl games and they will be extra motivated to win after not making a bowl game in 2 years. McElwains exit means the Rams have not had the ball coachs full preparation which is something new for them and remains to be seen how itll affect them. Look for Utah to apply heavy pressure defensively early and to try to capitalize on CSUs struggles and pull away as CSU will not adjust quickly to better competition. Edge to Utah -3, GL.
This matchup looks even upon first glance but after my breakdown of both teams there are clear advantages that point to a Utah win and cover. Utah comes in 8-4 overall including notable wins vs USC, UCLA, and Stanford in the Pac12. Colorado State comes in at a respectable 10-2 overall however their most notable wins may be Utah St. and Nevada and spent most of their schedule running up the score on inferior competition.
On offense, Utah boasts a strong ground game with Booker and an efficient steady play at QB Wilson who has taken care of the ball this year with 17TD/4 INT on the year. They avg. about 30ppg. CSU plays an Alabama-style pro offense with a balanced rushing and air attack behind a solid QB Grayson whos lit up the field with 32 TDs on the year and a legit WR in Higgins.
On defense Utah is strong against the pass in the top 3 in the Pac12 but with somewhat of a porous run D that gives up 158 ypg. Orchard is one of the best pass rushers in college and a reason why his pressure on opposing QBs have not just produces sacks but helped with coverage. CSU defensively is 23rd overall in pts allowed but much of it comes against poor competition.
Ultimately the difference maker here is the enormous gap in competition week in and week out in the 2014 season where Utah played ranked teams almost every couple weeks where as CSU despite playing Boise early, it was about the only team coming close to being ranked. While they are a respectable team with a good QB and offensive system they are going to battle against a Utah team that is tested physically and mentally in the best of competition, Whittingham also is 7-1 in bowl games and they will be extra motivated to win after not making a bowl game in 2 years. McElwains exit means the Rams have not had the ball coachs full preparation which is something new for them and remains to be seen how itll affect them. Look for Utah to apply heavy pressure defensively early and to try to capitalize on CSUs struggles and pull away as CSU will not adjust quickly to better competition. Edge to Utah -3, GL.
