Colorado State +5 5.5* NCAAF POD
Colorado State did lose a lot in the offseason. They lost their QB to the NFL, their head coach to Florida, and their top 2 tacklers on defense, but they do return 15 starters. They hire Georgiaâs OC Mike Bobo, and return arguably the best WR in the nation in Rashard Higgins along with 4 of the top 5 receivers from last season. This was a very very good home team last year which I expect to continue, and they will host Minnesota in a game they had to have circled before the season.
This is a tough spot for Minnesota going on the road and into altitude after facing TCU, a preseason favorite and nearly upsetting them. Minnesota returns just 12 starters and they lost their best receiving option and runner in David Cobb who had 1629 yards last year. Jerry Kill is a very good coach, but on the road this team seems to be not as good. I really like what Colorado State did with their coaching staff and I think the defense will improve with the addition of Tyson Somers and a senior laden defense that should be able to defend against a one dimensional offense like Minnesota.
Colorado State was very good at home on defense in stopping teams on third down (37%) and in the red zone (60% TDâs), and Minnesota just was not the same with a QB rating that went down 18 points on the road, and a rushing attack that also went down by more than 1 yard per carry. This is a nice value play for us here on Colorado State who will start the game in a no huddle and keep Minnesota off guard this entire game. I expect them to have an excellent shot at pulling the upset.
