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We're a little over a week and a half away from the Washington State's first trip to a bowl game in a decade but sports books already know who they like in this game. The Cougs opened up as a four point favorite over the Colorado State Rams for the New Mexico Bowl according to Vegas Insider.
This line seems about right given the records and schedule both teams played. Washington State did have a tougher schedule, running the gauntlet through a hard conference while the Rams played 13 games (they got an exception to play an extra game for traveling to Hawaii) and struggled to keep teams to under three touchdowns. In fact, as Brian Anderson reported yesterday, the Rams give up 29.9 points per contest and are almost dead last in passing defense in the FBS.
This should be a high scoring game as Connor Halliday has a good chance to carve up CSU's secondary and the Rams scored no less than three touchdowns just three times (including a loss to Alabama). The Rams also put up more than 50 points four times this season, including a 66-42 win over the New Mexico Lobos. Basically what I'm saying is whenever the over/under comes out, put your mortgage on the over.*
It will be interesting to see if the line shifts much at all over the next 11 days. I have a feeling most bettors will be more interested in the aforementioned over/under once it comes out considering the two teams average a combined 65.2 points per contest.
*CougCenter is not responsible if you lose it all and have to live in a van down by the river.
