[jwplayer tJPh0k22-sNi3MVSU]
San Jose State vs Colorado State: Keys to a Rams Win, How to Watch, Odds, Prediction
CSU heads into conference looking to get back on track
Contact/Follow @J0shFr3d & @MWCwire
Can the Rams start conference play off strong?
WEEK 6: San Jose State Spartans (3-2, 1-0 Mountain West) vs Colorado State Rams (1-3, 0-0 Mountain West)
WHEN: Saturday, October 9th — 1:30 PM MT/12:30 PM PT
WHERE: Canvas Stadium, Fort Collins, CO
TV: Fox Sports 1
STREAMING: Fans can sign up to receive a free one-week trial of Fubo, which includes FS1, by following this link.
RADIO: The Colorado State broadcast can be found in and around the Fort Collins area on 102.9 FM. The San Jose State broadcast can be found in and around the San Jose area on 860 AM.
SERIES RECORD: This will be the 11th matchup between these two schools. CSU holds the series lead at 6-4. The Rams won the last game between these two schools 42-30 in 2018.
LAST WEEK: Colorado State was on a bye week, while San Jose State won at home against New Mexico State 37-31.
WEBSITES: SJSUSpartans.com, the official Iowa athletics website | CSURams.com, the official Colorado State athletics website
GAME NOTES (PDF): San Jose State | Colorado State
ODDS (as of 10/7, via Vegas Insider): Colorado State -2.5
SP+ PROJECTION: San Jose State by 1.1
FEI PROJECTION: Colorado State by 7.8
The Colorado State Rams got a week off to recover after coming close to upsetting the #5 ranked Iowa Hawkeyes. The Rams had just a few things fail them in that game that prevented them from pulling off the upset. Getting back in the win column is the Rams goal this week.
This week the Rams face the San Jose State Spartans for homecoming. The crowd is expected to be a near sellout, as reports have emerged that 30k tickets have been sold and 10k student requests for tickets have already been entered.
Here’s how the Rams can get started in conference play beat the Spartans.
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1369 tag=16543686]
Three Keys to a Rams Victory
1. Embrace the Crowd
This is rare day game for Colorado State. And with homecoming, the crowd is expected be a large one. The Rams need to use that to their advantage. CSU is one of the few schools to have their student section behind the opponents bench. They need to be loud all day and cause problems for the Spartans.
On the offensive side of the ball, the Rams need feed off the energy of the crowd and execute their gameplan. If they can get off to a hot start and maintain that momentum, Canvas Stadium should be jumping all game long.
2. Get Explosive
The Rams have only had 23 explosive plays all year. Against San Jose State that number needs to increase a lot. CSU needs more 10+ yard runs and 20+ yard passes. Todd Centeio just missed a wide open Trey McBride on one the Rams early drives against Iowa that could’ve been a game changer.
With the return of David Bailey for Colorado State, the Rams gain another weapon the defense has to watch for. Both Bailey and Dante Wright were out and it caused the defense to narrow in on McBride. Bailey’s return opens up the field for the Rams and can lead to more explosive plays for CSU.
3. Defensive Pressure
Colorado State ranks 50th in the nation in total defense, 22nd in rushing defense, and 80th in passing defense. They also rank 90th in the nation in turnover margin at -1. The defense knows it needs to step up more if the Rams want to make it to a bowl game.
“Absolutely. We’re getting anxious,” cornerback Marshaun Cameron told Mike Brohard. “We’re getting real hungry. We can see a lot more turnovers happening in practice, which is a good sign. Hopefully we can just keep going at it and it’s going to result in turnovers in the game.”
If the Rams can come up with a few game changing plays on defense against the Spartans, it could go a long way towards building momentum heading deeper into conference play.
Prediction
It’s homecoming and a day game, so Colorado State is expecting a large crowd. The Rams are going to be energized by the crowd and should capitalize on it. The Spartans are a question mark at the momentum as Brett Brennan is being secretive with Starkel. Expect a close one that the Rams win.
Colorado State 27, San Jose State 20
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1360]
