The Utah State Aggies take on the Colorado State Rams in Fort Collins, CO. Tip-off is set for 10 p.m. ET on Fox Sports 1.
Utah State is favored by 4.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -210. The total is set at 147.5 points.
Here’s my Utah State vs. Colorado State prediction and college basketball picks for January 23, 2026.
Utah State vs Colorado State Prediction
My Pick: Over 148.5
My Utah State vs Colorado State best bet is on the over. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
Utah State vs. Colorado State Odds
| Utah State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-4.5 -110 | 147.5 -110o / -110u | -210 |
| Colorado St Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+4.5 -110 | 147.5 -110o / -110u | +175 |
Utah State vs Colorado State Betting Preview
Utah State Basketball
Jerrod Calhoun entered his second season with the Aggies with high hopes after leading the program to an NCAA Tournament appearance in his first year at the helm.
The Aggies lived up to the hope early, beginning their 2025-26 campaign by winning 15 of their first 16 contests.
However, Calhoun’s Aggies have hit a bit of a speed bump following that spectacular start, dropping two consecutive games ahead of their road trip to Fort Collins.
On the offensive end, Utah State has been extremely efficient, ranking 26th nationally in offensive efficiency, via KenPom. Calhoun’s group has thrived on that end of the floor, averaging more than 85 points per game.
Utah State also boasts an underrated backcourt, led by two experienced guards.
Point guard MJ Collins Jr. has been the engine of the attack. The 6-foot-4 senior was a major offseason addition via the transfer portal after spending one season at Vanderbilt. Collins ranks inside the top 50 nationally in scoring, averaging over 19 points per game through the first 18 contests.
Alongside Collins is 6-foot-4 junior guard Mason Falslev. In his third season with the Aggies, the Utah native is averaging nearly 17 points per game while also making a strong impact on the glass, pulling down more than six rebounds per contest.
Utah State has been more vulnerable on the defensive end, ranking outside the top 50 nationally in defensive efficiency.
If Calhoun’s Aggies are going to strengthen their NCAA Tournament resume, it likely starts Friday night in a challenging road matchup against a Colorado State team that's dropped five of its first eight Mountain West games.
Colorado State Basketball
Colorado State faces a very difficult road heading into Friday’s matchup. The Rams hold a 12-7 overall record, and if they’re going to make a final push toward a Mountain West title and an NCAA Tournament berth, it’s now or never.
In the offseason, Colorado State made a notable move by promoting former assistant Ali Farokhmanesh to head coach.
If you’ve followed college basketball long enough, the story behind this hire is an easy one to appreciate. Farokhmanesh is forever remembered for his iconic 3-pointer in 2010 that helped Northern Iowa stun the tournament’s No. 1 overall seed, Kansas.
Farokhmanesh’s Rams have opened conference play with a mediocre 3-5 record, losing three of their last five games. Escaping Friday night’s matchup at Moby Arena with a win feels critical if Colorado State is going to change its trajectory.
There’s no way around it — the Colorado State offense has been dreadful. The Rams rank outside the top 230 nationally in offensive efficiency, according to Haslametrics. This group lacks a true superstar, with no player averaging 13 points per game this season.
The Rams’ backcourt is led by junior guards Josh Pascarelli and Brandon Rechsteiner, both of whom are averaging just over 12 points per game through Colorado State’s first 19 contests.
The frontcourt has been largely ineffective offensively, which helps explain why the Rams attempt such a high volume of shots from beyond the arc.
Ironically, Colorado State’s defensive efficiency mirrors its offensive struggles, also ranking outside the top 230 nationally.
For a program that's reached the NCAA Tournament in consecutive seasons, it’s hard to envision the 2026 team following that trend.
Utah State vs. Colorado State Betting Analysis
While it’s evident that Utah State has the superior roster, I want no part of betting a side in this one.
The Aggies have been impressive to this point, but I’m not interested in laying points on the road against a team desperate for a conference win. Thus, I wouldn’t advise backing either side.
That said, I do see value on the total in this matchup. Given the Rams’ lack of defensive resistance — and the likelihood they’ll be forced to play at a faster pace if they fall behind early — I’ll be looking to back this game to sail well over the posted number.
My Pick: Over 148.5
