BEST LINES: Pinnacle +4 -106 Bet365 +4 -110 SportsInteraction +4 -115 5DIMES +4 -110

Posted at 11:45 AM EST.

2:30 PM EST. The Oregon State Beavers are a work in progress after winning just four games last season, but that was twice as many as they won in 2015 so head coach Gary Anderson is moving things in the right direction.  The Beavers were never able to find any footing last season after a rash of injuries and inconsistent play forced them to rely on a quarterback by committee. Not so this season as Anderson wasted little time in naming redshirt junior Jake Luton, a junior college transfer from Ventura as his starting QB. The 6-foot-7 Luton was originally signed to Idaho and played four games for the Vandals in 2015, but it was at Ventura where he shined, passing for 3551 yards and 40 touchdowns while rushing for six more majors last season. The word from Beavers' camp is that Luton has developed some chemistry with versatile junior tight end Noh Togiai, with the pair connecting for three touchdowns during OSU’s first scrimmage. Togaiai missed most of the 2016 season with an injured ACL but figures to be a big part of the passing game in 2017. Luton isn’t the only transfer looking to make an impact as running backs Thomas Tyner and Trevorris Johnson, who transferred from Oregon and TCU, respectively, should add depth to an already solid ground attack. The Beavers running game was their strength last season. The return of breakout star Ryan Nall, who had 951 yards and 13-touchdowns a year ago and the very capable Atravis Peters round out a solid unit. Despite their makeshift lineups last season, the Beavers were able to finish strong with wins over Arizona and Oregon. Over their final four games, Oregon State was able to up its yards per play from 4.5 to 5.8. While the Beavers missed out on the Bowl season with just four wins, it’s also easy to forget they were in just about every game they played. Three of OSU’s eight losses last season came by a touchdown or less.  Remember Oregon State’s 19-14 loss in Week 7 at home to Utah?  The Beavers missed two field goals, gave up a safety and lost a fumble. Where it matters most, at the window, the Beavers were surprisingly generous to their backers covering nine of their 12 games in 2016 so they were sold short almost all of last season and they’re being sold short here too.    There is a buzz coming from Fort Collins, Colorado and it has nothing to do with that state’s lax marijuana laws.  After a 7-6 record in head coach Mike Bobo’s second season, many prognosticators and preseason publications have the Colorado State Rams taking the “next step” in the Mountain West. Senior Quarterback Nick Steven returns and while he impressed in the final seven games last season by completing 119-of-173 passes for 19 touchdowns and just three interceptions while guiding the Rams to a fourth straight bowl game, let’s not forget it took a devastating ACL injury to true freshman Colin Hill for Stevens to get his job back. It might sound funny to talk about the loss of a punter, but replacing one of the nation’s best in Hayden Hunt, with a true freshman in Ryan Stonehouse could potentially hurt the Rams here. Hunt was a real weapon for the Rams and one of only two players from CSU invited to the NFL combine. In addition to the hype surrounding the Rams, they’ll also open a brand new stadium. The school declared this inaugural game a sellout week’s ago. The Rams are a hot ticket and that should only add to the almost impossible expectations for this team. If CSU hopes to compete this season they’ll have to be fast out of the gate. Three of the Rams' four biggest games are in the first four weeks with trips to Colorado and Alabama and this season opener against Oregon State. The first game of any season brings with it a ton of hype, excitement, and attention from the market. This line opened with the Rams as a small -2 point favorite. All the chatter about this Rams’ team not only competing for the Mountain West Mountain Division but challenging San Diego State for the MW Conference title has driven this number to where it sits now. Don’t buy into the hype, as CSU is weak on both sides of the line and lack depth if their starters do not perform in the trenches. Add the pressure of opening a new stadium combined with lofty preseason expectorations and this game has “upset” written all over it. We’re taking the points.

There is a buzz coming from Fort Collins, Colorado and it has nothing to do with that state’s lax marijuana laws.  After a 7-6 record in head coach Mike Bobo’s second season, many prognosticators and preseason publications have the Colorado State Rams taking the “next step” in the Mountain West. Senior Quarterback Nick Steven returns and while he impressed in the final seven games last season by completing 119-of-173 passes for 19 touchdowns and just three interceptions while guiding the Rams to a fourth straight bowl game, let’s not forget it took a devastating ACL injury to true freshman Colin Hill for Stevens to get his job back. It might sound funny to talk about the loss of a punter, but replacing one of the nation’s best in Hayden Hunt, with a true freshman in Ryan Stonehouse could potentially hurt the Rams here. Hunt was a real weapon for the Rams and one of only two players from CSU invited to the NFL combine. In addition to the hype surrounding the Rams, they’ll also open a brand new stadium. The school declared this inaugural game a sellout week’s ago. The Rams are a hot ticket and that should only add to the almost impossible expectations for this team. If CSU hopes to compete this season they’ll have to be fast out of the gate. Three of the Rams' four biggest games are in the first four weeks with trips to Colorado and Alabama and this season opener against Oregon State. The first game of any season brings with it a ton of hype, excitement, and attention from the market. This line opened with the Rams as a small -2 point favorite. All the chatter about this Rams’ team not only competing for the Mountain West Mountain Division but challenging San Diego State for the MW Conference title has driven this number to where it sits now. Don’t buy into the hype, as CSU is weak on both sides of the line and lack depth if their starters do not perform in the trenches. Add the pressure of opening a new stadium combined with lofty preseason expectorations and this game has “upset” written all over it. We’re taking the points.

Open an account today at Pinnacle Sports and take advantage of their -104 style pricing on sides and totals, which is 60% better than other sportsbooks.