Colorado State (2-3) at Texas State (2-3)
Date & Time: Thursday, October 15th, 5:00 p.m. PT
Network: CBSSN
Spread: Colorado State +14.5, O/U 69.5
Preview: You see that over/under line? Yeah, this is going to be a shootout.
Both of these squads enter a Thursday night showdown looking to turn their season around. Two of the most explosive offenses in the Pac-12 are going head-to-head; points won’t be hard to come by.
After starting 2-0 for the first time since 2011, the Rams have dropped three straight games. Those three losses came against BYU, UTSA, and Oregon State, three teams with a combined 14-3 record. Coming off a bye week, Colorado State will look to get back on track against a Texas State offense that has video-game numbers.
Despite starting quarterback Hauss Hejny missing most of the last three games, Colorado State is averaging 37.4 points and 273.2 passing yards per game. The Rams have already thrown 14 touchdown passes, just one fewer than they managed all of last season.
But as I mentioned earlier, the Bobcats have video game numbers offensively.
Texas State ranks third nationally in total offense, averaging 531.6 yards per game and fifth in rushing offense with 263.6 yards per game. Quarterback Brad Jackson has been dangerous at home in particular, accounting for 31 touchdowns through the air and on the ground in his 10 home appearances.
Running back Torrance Burgess Jr. gives the Rams another reason for concern. Burgess averages 122.8 rushing yards per game, the fifth-most in the country, and has already broken off three runs of at least 60 yards.
Another key point: Colorado State fired former defensive coordinator Tyson Summers midgame against Oregon State. That shows the Rams’ defensive performance. Kenny McClendon has taken over as the playcaller. The Rams have forced 11 turnovers this season, including seven interceptions.
Simply put, there will be a lot of offense.
Prediction: Texas State 45, Colorado State 35
Washington State (1-5) at Oregon State (4-2)
Date & Time: Saturday, October 17th, 3:00 p.m. PT
Network: USA Network
Spread: Oregon State -17.5, O/U 52.5
Preview: The two longtime Pac-12 rivals meet in Corvallis on Saturday, but they couldn’t have had different starts to the season. Oregon State has won four straight games and is emerging as a potential CFP contender, while Washington State is turning to a new quarterback to save its season.
After dropping the first two games of the season, the Beavers have been unstoppable. JaMarcus Shephard’s squad has outscored their last four opponents 207-64, including a 66-14 beatdown of San Diego State last weekend. They also have had 600 yards of offense in consecutive games.
Quarterback Braden Atkinson has been at the center of that success, throwing for more than 300 yards in all six games this season. He’s also developed one of the most dangerous connections in the country with freshman wide receiver Jesse Legree, who leads the nation with 932 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns. Legree has 100 receiving yards in six straight games.
It’s a team the Cougars would rather avoid right now, considering they have allowed 26 plays of at least 20 yards this season.
Washington State is changing quarterbacks. Owen Eshelman is now the man at the helm, replacing Caden Pinnick after a disappointing 1-5 start. Eshelman has barely seen the field, playing just two snaps against Duquesne without attempting a pass. Asking him to make his first collegiate start against the hottest team in the Pac-12 is a tall task.
There is an area where Washington State might be able to keep pace, and that’s special teams. Kicker Jack Stevens has made six consecutive field goals, including three from at least 40 yards against Utah State last week.
The history between these programs runs deep: Oregon State and Washington State are the only remaining members of the original Pac-12. That history, combined with Washington State’s quarterback change, adds another layer of intrigue to the matchup. However, Atkinson and Legree will look to keep their momentum rolling as the Beavers chase their fifth straight victory.
Prediction: Oregon State 45, Washington State 13
Fresno State (4-2) at San Diego State (2-4)
Date & Time: Saturday, October 17th, 7:30 p.m. PT
Network: CBSSN
Spread: Fresno State -7.5, O/U 46.5
Preview: The rivalry between Fresno State and San Diego State will be renewed in the Battle for the Old Oil Can on Saturday, with both teams looking to bounce back from a loss.
The Bulldogs enter as favorites, but they haven’t forgotten what happened the last time these two teams met. San Diego State shut out Fresno State 23-0 last season, handing the Bulldogs their first home shutout since 1980.
Fresno State will look to avoid another offensive collapse like that behind quarterback Jayden Mandal. Despite losing 38-31 to Boise State last week, Mandal threw for 218 yards and two touchdowns while adding another score on the ground. Even more impressive, Mandal has gone 155 consecutive pass attempts without throwing an interception.
That ball security has become a crucial part of Matt Entz’s team. Fresno State has committed just three turnovers through six games, while its plus-eight turnover margin is among the best in the country.
Protecting the football will be important against a San Diego State defense that has forced six turnovers in three home games this season.
The Aztecs are a different beast at home under Sean Lewis. San Diego State is 8-1 in its last nine home games, with seven victories coming by double digits.
Linebacker Sione Hala has emerged as one of the most productive defenders in the conference. Hala leads the Pac-12 with 10.2 tackles per game and recorded 10 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and a sack against Oregon State last week.
The Aztecs still have plenty to fix. They surrendered 66 points to Oregon State. Their defense is giving up about 480 yards per game, which keeps Fresno State’s offense moving.
Prediction: Fresno State 31, San Diego State 20