
Free NCAAF Pick: Cougars vs. Rams Odds
Looking for BYU Cougars vs. Colorado State Rams Free NCAA picks & NCAA odds? NCAAF betting sees the Cougars taking on the Rams on 9/19 at Sonny Lubick Field at Canvas Stadium, in Fort Collins, CO. This free NCAA football pick is based on matchup analysis and documented handicapping data tracked by CappersPicks since 2004, with a focus on identifying the strongest betting angle for this Cougars Rams matchup.
2026 NCAAF Handicapping – BYU Cougars vs Colorado State Rams
(2-0) BYU Cougars vs. Colorado State Rams (2-0)
Date: Sep 19, 2026
Time: 7:30 PM ET
Venue: Sonny Lubick Field at Canvas Stadium in Fort Collins, CO
NCAAF Moneyline Odds: Cougars -1266 | Rams +742 (Bet Now!)
Today’s NCAAF Spread Betting Odds: Cougars -18 | Rams +18
NCAAF Football Gambling Total: O/U: 52.5
Here’s why I’m backing a Colorado State ATS bet below in my Cougars Rams free pick & gambling prediction for this matchup.
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Cougars vs. Rams Gameday
No. 11 BYU hits the road for the first time this season Saturday night, traveling to Fort Collins to face Colorado State at Sonny Lubick Field at Canvas Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:30 PM ET on CBS. The Cougars are 2-0 after pounding Utah Tech 63-7 and beating Arizona 28-17.
BYU handled its first real test last week, pulling away from a Wildcats team that stayed within one score deep into the fourth quarter.
BYU handled its business in Provo; now the Cougars get their first look at somebody else’s student section.
Colorado State is also 2-0, beating Wyoming 35-13 before hammering Southern Utah 58-24. The Rams have scored 93 points through two games and haven’t exactly been easing their way into Jim Mora’s first season.
These programs know each other well.
Former conference rivals BYU and Colorado State haven’t met since 2010, when the Cougars won 49-10. Saturday is BYU’s first trip to Fort Collins in 16 years, although the old Hughes Stadium has since been replaced by Canvas Stadium.
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It’s Week 3, BYU Cougars vs. Colorado State Rams, and two unbeaten teams finally get to find out how much of their September production travels against better competition.
BYU Cougars vs. Colorado State Rams Odds & Last 5
BYU remains a sizable road favorite, but this number has moved. After opening around Cougars -21, the market has dropped to BYU -17.5 with a total of 52.5. That’s a meaningful move. BYU has covered both games, cruising past Utah Tech as a massive favorite before covering against Arizona.
The Cougars have outscored their first two opponents 91-24 and now take that résumé outside Provo for the first time.
Colorado State has also handled its opening schedule cleanly. The Rams beat rival Wyoming by 22 before scoring 58 against Southern Utah, and now the sportsbooks are handing them more than two touchdowns at home.
Rams Stats
Colorado State has scored 93 points through two games, and the passing game has been the headline. Hauss Hejny has thrown for 539 yards and nine touchdowns with only one interception.
Nine touchdown passes in two games will get everyone’s attention.
The Rams aren’t living entirely through the air, either. Mel Brown has rushed for 228 yards and two touchdowns, helping Colorado State pile up 458 yards on the ground.
Hejny already has nine touchdown passes, which is one way to make the new coach feel welcome.
Jackson Harper leads the receiving group with 140 yards, while RJ Vick has added 108. Hejny has spread the touchdowns around, making it harder for defenses to simply remove one target and call the problem solved.
The Rams have scored at least 35 in both games.
BYU’s defense represents a serious jump from Wyoming and Southern Utah, but Colorado State at least arrives with an offense capable of testing it in several different ways.
Cougars Stats
BYU has been equally productive, scoring 91 points while allowing only 24. The Cougars followed their 63-7 demolition of Utah Tech with a much more useful 28-17 win over Arizona.
Bear Bachmeier was responsible for all four BYU touchdowns against the Wildcats. He threw for 217 yards and three scores, added another touchdown on the ground and earned Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week honors.
Not a bad Saturday.
Bachmeier has thrown for 415 yards and six touchdowns without an interception through two games. LJ Martin leads the rushing attack with 152 yards, giving BYU plenty of balance when Bachmeier isn’t making the decisions himself.
The defense has done its share, too.
BYU has allowed 24 points with four interceptions through two games. Tausili Akana had 2.5 sacks against Arizona, helping slam the door when the Wildcats were trying to hang around late.
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Cougars vs. Rams QB Matchup
Hauss Hejny has given Colorado State an explosive start, throwing for 539 yards and nine touchdowns against one interception. He’s also a legitimate running threat, which gives BYU another piece to account for Saturday.
Hejny hasn’t faced a defense like this yet.
Hejny owns the gaudier touchdown total; Bachmeier arrives with the considerably tougher September résumé.
Bear Bachmeier has thrown for 415 yards and six touchdowns without an interception. He was especially sharp against Arizona, accounting for all four BYU touchdowns while facing considerably more resistance than he saw against Utah Tech.
Neither quarterback has given opponents many free possessions.
That’s particularly important for Colorado State. The Rams are stepping way up in defensive competition, and Hejny can’t afford to give BYU short fields while trying to keep pace with Bachmeier.
Cougars vs. Rams bottom line: BYU brings the ranking and the better résumé, but 17.5 points is a hefty cover charge against a Rams offense that’s spent two weeks showing it knows where the end zone is.
BYU Cougars vs. Colorado State Rams Football Betting Trends
- BYU has a strong straight-up record as favorites, winning 22 out of their last 23 games.
- Additionally, the Cougars have covered the spread as favorites in their last 6 games.
- After a win, BYU has covered the spread 15 times in their last 22 games.
- Colorado State has gone over the total in their last 4 games.
- Also, the Rams have an 8-2 record against the spread after a win in their last 10 games.
- In home games, Colorado State has gone over the total in their last 3 games.
Cougars Rams Free Pick: Colorado State +17.5
Here is my Cougars Rams free pick: Colorado State +17.5 is my play Saturday night. BYU deserves its No. 11 ranking after dismantling Utah Tech and beating Arizona, but this number has already dropped from around three touchdowns. That’s worth my attention.
Colorado State isn’t arriving with a cute little 2-0 record built entirely on defense and field position. The Rams have scored 93 points, and Hauss Hejny has thrown nine touchdown passes while giving defenses another problem with his legs.
BYU is clearly better, but 17.5 points gives a dangerous Rams offense plenty of working capital.
That’s what I’m buying here.
Bear Bachmeier has been excellent, throwing six touchdowns without an interception, and BYU’s defense has allowed only 24 points. Still, this is the Cougars’ first road game after two comfortable Saturdays in Provo.
Colorado State has gone 8-2 ATS in its last 10 following a win. More importantly, this offense has enough juice to answer when BYU scores instead of turning every Cougars touchdown into another shovel of dirt.
I don’t need CSU threatening the upset.
I need Hejny making enough plays to keep BYU working into the fourth quarter. With the Rams at home and more than two touchdowns in my pocket, I’ll take my chances.
Colorado State +17.5 is my play.
Today’s NCAAF Free Pick
Best Sportsbooks For BYU Cougars vs. Colorado State Rams NCAAF Gambling Today!
Colorado State Rams on X
Watch the Full Week 2 Recap » https://t.co/kwxRrD34kf pic.twitter.com/9B6h6JYvy9
— Colorado State Football (@CSUFootball) September 17, 2026
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