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Colorado State vs. Colorado: Game Preview, Kick Off, Livestream, TV & Radio Schedule
The Final Rocky Mountain Showdown In Denver
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Contact/Follow @BradHubbard & @MWCwire
The Rams and Buffaloes Square off for the 91st time.
WEEK 1: Colorado State Rams vs. Colorado Buffaloes
WHEN: Friday, August 30 — 8:10 PM MST
WHERE: Broncos Stadium at Mile High; Denver, CO (76,000)
TV: ESPN
STREAM: ESPN app or Sling (7-day free trial)
RADIO: Colorado State radio broadcast on KARS (FM 102.9) and KDCO (AM 1340 and FM 104.7) | Colorado radio broadcast on KDSP (AM 760)
SERIES RECORD: 91st meeting. Colorado leads the series 66-22-2.
WEBSITES: CSURams.com | CUBuffs.com
GAME NOTES (PDF): Colorado State | Colorado
ODDS (via OddsShark): Colorado State +10.5
2019 STAT PROFILES: link
FEI PROJECTION: Colorado by 11.1
Three Keys to a Colorado State Victory
1. Defensive Line Has To Show Up
The fact of the matter is that the Rams defense hasn’t exactly been a point of pride in the Mike Bobo era. That has to change if Colorado State has any shot at getting a win against Colorado.
The defensive line needs to play out of their minds, set the edge and force Buffaloes quarterback Steven Montez into poor throws. Whether that is forcing him into off balance throws, putting hands in his face, something to put him under distress.
2. Contain #2
It’s no secret that wide receiver Laviska Shenault may be the most gifted player on the field. Colorado State has to account for him at all times no matter where he lines up.
Shenault could line up anywhere from the backfield, to the slot to an outside X position. The Rams have to have a plan at all times for him because, if he gets free… well, it could be a replay of last season, when Shenault had 211 receiving yards and a touchdown, only this time it will be far, far worse.
3. Run the ball effectively
Colorado State has to find a way to keep themselves out of third and an Uber ride back to Ft. Collins. The best way to do that is by running the football effectively.
Look for junior running back Marcus McElroy will get most of the carries early but he’ll only be as successful as the offensive line is. The offensive line has some question marks that will only be answered during the game. Either way, the Rams must avoid the ‘three incomplete passes and punt’ routine.
Prediction
This game has not been close the last few years. In fact, two of the last three years have been blowouts where the game was decided in the first quarter. Something tells me, however, that this one won’t go that way.
Colorado has a relatively new staff and a first-time head coach while Colorado State returns just about the entire staff for the first time in a couple of years. This would leave me to believe that the Rams have an edge in game management and if the game is close, that can be a huge difference maker.
Mike Bobo also knows that he needs a good showing against his in-state rival. Colorado State hasn’t fared well against their rivals lately, so they are overdue for a strong showing. CU wins, but it’s closer than the experts think. Colorado 27, Colorado State 17
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