Utah State at Colorado State: Keys for a Rams Victory
The Rams will be looking for their second victory of the year
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Can the Rams stay undefeated at home?
WEEK 11: Utah State Aggies (1-5, 1-5 Mountain West) vs. Colorado State Rams (1-3, 1-3 Mountain West)
WHEN: Saturday, December 12 — 7:30 PM MT/6:30 PM PT
WHERE: Canvas Stadium; Fort Collins, Colorado (41,000)
TV: CBS Sports Network
STREAM: Get a one-week trial of FuboTV.
RADIO: CSU Rams Radio | Utah State Radio
ODDS (via BetMGM): Colorado State -13
Three Keys to a Rams Victory
1. Front Seven Pressure
What Chuck Heater has done with this defense has been nothing short of incredible. In 2019 CSU finished 104th in rushing defense and this year they are currently ranked 16th in the nation in rushing defense. They also rank tied for first in the nation in tackles for loss, with 10.5 per game, and are tied for fourth in the nation in sacks, with four per game.
The Utah State offense has been dreadful this year. The Aggies offense ranks 124th out of 127 teams this season. Expect Heater to bring the heat a lot against Utah State. The front seven for this Rams defense has been outstanding this season and we should expect nothing less this week.
2. A More Involved Passing Game
Dante Wright and Trey McBride account for 71.2% (42/46) of the Rams receptions this season. Nate Craig-Myers and E.J. Scott are still the only other Rams with more than one reception. The Rams have played four games this season and still have yet to open up the passing game.
Offensive coordinator Joey Lynch has an explosive offense waiting in the wings. The Rams now need to do their part to show that. Other receivers need to step up because opportunities will arise as defenses start to key in on Dante and Trey.
Tip to all you young quarterbacks: find yourself a @mcbtrey
📺: @CBSSportsNet pic.twitter.com/xqvsoT8yFu
— Colorado State Football (@CSUFootball) December 6, 2020
3. Special Teams Get It Together
For the second game in a row the Colorado State special teams have potentially cost the Rams a chance to win the game. Against Boise State is was blocked kicks. Against San Diego State it was kick returns, as the Aztecs brought two kicks (one punt and one kickoff) back for touchdowns. You never know what could’ve happened, but those two touchdowns were the difference between a loss and a win on the scoreboard.
Against the Aggies, the Rams will need to be better. They cannot let this Utah State team get any momentum. The Rams will need to be strong in all three facets of the game to win. Ryan Stonehouse has done his job and Robert Liss has done well for a freshman. Now others need to step up as well.
Prediction
The Rams will be hungry to get back on the field after last week. The Aggies are coming in a depleted team after multiple transfers out, dismissals, and the firing of their head coach. Colorado State needs to attack quickly and attack often in order to snuff out any glimmer of hope Utah State has.
If the Rams can keep up their defensive pressure and get it together on the offensive end, there is no reason for this game to be close. The Aggies are not a good football team. Their only win came against New Mexico who isn’t that good either. Expect the Rams to roll this week.
Colorado State 41, Utah State 17
