Southern Utah vs Colorado State Picks and Prediction for Saturday, September 12, 2026
The Southern Utah Thunderbirds visit the Colorado State Rams on Saturday at Canvas Stadium in Fort Collins, with the opening kickoff scheduled for 7:00 PM ET and coverage on CBSSN. Southern Utah enters at 1-1 after losing 28-21 at Montana before beating Weber State 47-42. Colorado State is 1-0 after opening with a 35-13 home victory over Wyoming. Southern Utah has scored 34.0 points per game through two contests, while the Rams opened their season with a 22-point victory. Watch your bankroll grow with our free NCAAF picks.
Southern Utah Thunderbirds Preview
Southern Utah has produced 512.0 total offensive yards per game, including 313.5 on the ground and 198.5 through the air. Will Burns has completed 65.4% of his passes for 198.5 yards per game, four touchdowns and two interceptions. Burns is also averaging 133.5 rushing yards with two scores, while Floyd Chalk leads the Thunderbirds at 141.5 rushing yards per contest and has scored four touchdowns. Southern Utah is gaining 6.2 yards per rushing attempt.
Joshua Acord has been Burns' top receiving option, averaging 64.0 yards per game with three touchdowns. Devin Downing adds 38.5 receiving yards per contest. Southern Utah has allowed 35.0 points per game, including 42 against Weber State. The defense has three sacks, with Myles Amey recording 1.5. Parker Vance has 6.5 tackles per game and two interceptions, while Christian Sampson is averaging 5.5 tackles.
Injuries: No injuries to report.
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Colorado State Rams Preview
Colorado State produced 396 total yards in its 35-13 victory over Wyoming, finishing with 242 passing yards and 154 rushing yards. Hauss Hejny completed 23 of 33 passes for 214 yards and five touchdowns without an interception. Mel Brown led the ground attack with 57 yards on eight carries, while Durell Robinson added 52 yards on 12 attempts. The Rams did not score on the ground but still averaged 4.7 yards per rushing attempt.
RJ Vick was the main target in the opener, catching six passes for 75 yards and three touchdowns. Tommy Maher added 43 yards, while Jackson Harper had 38 yards and a touchdown. Colorado State's defense allowed only 13 points while recording two sacks, three interceptions and two forced fumbles. Jaseim Mitchell led the Rams with 13 tackles, and Oumar Diomande added 11 tackles and an interception. Tre'Shawn Moore and Stephon Wright recorded the sacks.
Injuries: No injuries to report.
Southern Utah vs Colorado State Prediction
Southern Utah brings a dangerous rushing attack to Fort Collins, with Burns and Chalk both averaging more than 130 yards on the ground. The concern is a defense that has allowed 35.0 points per game. Hejny threw five touchdown passes without an interception against Wyoming, and Colorado State also forced three turnovers defensively. Southern Utah has enough offensive production to keep pressure on the Rams, but Colorado State has the stronger defense and a passing attack capable of taking advantage of the Thunderbirds' problems preventing points. Final Score Prediction: Colorado State Rams win, 38-27.
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Best Picks
- Colorado State Rams
- Over
