College Football Picks and Odds November 26th – Colorado State vs Air Force, New Mexico vs Utah State

• A pair of Thanksgiving Day Mountain West games kick off Thursday, Nov. 26, with Colorado State visiting Air Force and New Mexico traveling to Utah State
• The Falcons are 4.5-point home favorites over the Rams, while the Lobos are 6.5-point road favorites over the Aggies
• Check out the odds for the games and key information about each matchup in the article below

The Mountain West has scheduled a pair of Thanksgiving Day games in Week 13. The Colorado State Rams and Air Force Falcons get things started from Colorado Springs at 2 p.m. ET on Thursday, Nov. 26. The 2-2 Falcons are 4.5-point favorites over the 1-2 Rams.

Then, at 7 p.m. ET, a pair of winless teams will got at it in Logan, as the 0-4 New Mexico Lobos and 0-4 Utah State Aggies hit the field. The Lobos are 6.5-point favorites.

Colorado State vs Air Force Week 13 Odds

All odds taken Nov.  25 at FanDuel

Air Force is coming off a 28-0 shutout victory over New Mexico, marking head coach Troy Calhoun’s 100th career victory at the Academy. The win was keyed by sophomore fullback Brad Roberts, who had a career-day, rushing for 177 yards on 28 carries and three touchdowns. The Falcons enter this in-state tussle with the Rams as 4.5-point favorites.

Colorado State had a much-needed bye after an ugly 52-21 loss at Boise State in Week 11. The Rams had multiple special teams breakdowns against the Broncos, including three blocked kicks (two punts and a field goal) returned for touchdowns on their way to a 42-7 hole at halftime.

The Rams have been uneven in 2020. Two blowout losses (CSU lost its season opener to Fresno State 38-17) were sandwiched between a 34-24 home win over Wyoming. While meltdowns like Steve Addazio’s team experienced on the blue turf in Boise may have been an anomaly, I’m fading the Rams in this spot for one big reason.

We control the air off the field and dominate the ground on it.

𝗙𝗜𝗥𝗦𝗧 in the nation in rushing yards per game‼️ #LetsFly pic.twitter.com/ysB6Aiddia

— Air Force Football (@AF_Football) November 18, 2020

Sure, Air Force’s ground game needs to be good due to relatively inexperienced quarterback Haaziq Daniels. But even the sophomore can run, rushing for 55 yards on 12 carries against the Lobos in that 28-0 win.

Daniels also was a near-flawless 4-of-5 passing for 66 yards. The Falcons have dominated this series recently, winning four in a row. I think that trend continues on Turkey Day.

The pick: Air Force -4.5 (-112)

New Mexico vs Utah State Odds

Winless Mountain West Battle

In this “Someone Has to Win” game that, combined with the tryptophan intake of a national audience could be the perfect antidote for late evening snooze, the Lobos are favored by nearly a touchdown over the home team.

Prior to being whitewashed by Air Force, New Mexico was competitive with Hawaii on the road (a 39-33 loss) and Nevada at “home” (a 27-20 loss).

I say “home” because the Lobos have been relegated to nomads this season as COVID-19 restrictions in Albuquerque have forced them to relocate their entire operation to the Las Vegas area. The program has set up shop in Henderson, Nevada – and is paying for it to the tune of $70,000 a week for their hotel bill.

First-year head coach Danny Gonzales is still looking for win No. 1 after taking the reins from his predecessor, Bob Davie. At least Gonzales is preaching the right attitude.

In 4-days we have another opportunity to continue to move forward.

Hear from @CoachGonzUNM ⬇
🔗: https://t.co/sAWTPPj9TY#GoLobos #WeAreNM pic.twitter.com/X5uRdnCH7M

— New Mexico Football (@UNMLoboFB) November 23, 2020

New Mexico is still trying to figure out who its quarterback is. Tevaka Tuioti has missed the last two games because of a concussion. If he can’t go, sophomore Trae Hall would make his third straight start.

Utah State is also uncertain at the most important position. Utah transfer Jason Shelley, who was the Aggies starting quarterback to begin the season, was dismissed for unspecified violations of team rules.

Then, sophomore Andrew Peasley was supposed to be the starter last week against Fresno State – until he was sidelined by COVID-19 protocols. Staying healthy has been an issue for the Aggies all season.

Then, there’s the whole coaching situation. Gary Andersen, who had returned to Logan just last year after stints at Wisconsin and Oregon State both ended in odd circumstances after a decent four-year run at Utah State between 2009-2012, was fired after an 0-3 start to the 2020 season.

Next man up!

Full Press Conference: https://t.co/yEVqCLE3KV#AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/9MKrJqpgxk

— USU Football (@USUFootball) November 24, 2020

Interim coach Frank Maile has the right mindset – but this season seems doomed from myriad perspectives.

The pick: New Mexico -6.5 (-110)