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Colorado State vs Wyoming: Keys to a Rams Win, How to Watch, Odds, Prediction
CSU looks to get back in the win column.
Contact/Follow @J0shFr3d & @MWCwire
Can the Rams keep Bronze Boot in Fort Collins?
Week 8: Colorado State Rams (3-5, 2-2 Mountain West) vs Wyoming Cowboys (4-4, 0-4 Mountain West)
When: Saturday, November 6th, 2021 – 1:30 pm MT/12:30pm PT
WHERE: Jonah Field at War Memorial Stadium; Laramie, Wyoming
TV: CBS Sports Network
STREAMING: FuboTV – Get a 7-day free trial
RADIO: The Colorado State broadcast can be found in and around the Fort Collins area on 102.9 FM. The Wyoming broadcast can be found in and around the Laramie area on 95.1 FM.
SERIES RECORD: Depends on who you ask. CSU says it’s the 113th all time matchup, Wyoming says it’s the 112th all time matchup. The difference goes all the way back to the first meeting in 1899. It was ruled a forfeit and thus CSU doesn’t count the game towards their record. However, most records say CSU holds the series lead at 59-48-5. Wyoming, however, holds the Bronze Boot series record 28-25.
LAST WEEK: Colorado State lost to Boise State 28-19, while Wyoming lost to San Jose State 27-21.
WEBSITES: CSURams.com, the official Colorado State athletics website | GoWyo.com, the official Wyoming athletics website
GAME NOTES (PDF): Colorado State | Wyoming
ODDS (as of 11/3, via Vegas Insider): Colorado State -3.5
SP+ PROJECTION: Wyoming by 2.9
FEI PROJECTION: Colorado State by 4.1
The Colorado State Rams lost to Boise State once again last week. They had plenty of opportunities to put the game away early, but couldn’t put the ball in the end zone once they reached the red zone. They were inside Boise State’s five yard line on three drives and only came away with field goals.
This week the Rams head up US 287 to face that school up north. This is a chance for the Rams to get back on track. Wyoming’s offense has struggled the last few weeks and their defense has struggled against the run. If the Rams can run bully ball, they have a chance to get back on the winning track.
Here’s how the Rams can keep the Bronze Boot and beat the Cowboys.
https://twitter.com/CSUFootball/status/1456063649269772295
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Three Keys to a Rams Victory
1. Finish In The Red Zone
The good news, the Rams have scored on 91.2% of their red zone possessions. The bad news, they have only scored touchdowns on 41.2% of those red zone possessions. That is a drastic difference and is a key reason they Rams are currently below .500 on the year.
The Rams need to do more on offense to finish drives and put games away early. Trey McBride is the main target, but he only has one touchdown on the year. There are two other tight ends who have shown hands and the Rams have David Bailey who is also capable of catching the ball when called upon. However it gets done, the Rams need touchdowns if they are to keep the Bronze Boot.
2. Defense Needs To Be On Point
The Rams only had two sacks last week against Boise State and they were gashed on the ground. This week the Rams need to be better. The Cowboys run the ball close to 60% of the time. CSU is very good at stopping the run as they rank top five in opponent yards per rush (2.0) and opponent rush yards per game (92.0).
When Wyoming passes, the Rams need to turn their motors up to 11. Wyoming ranks near or at the bottom of most passing categories in the county. One key stat is Wyoming’s quarterback is sacked on 6.67% of plays and CSU is number two in the country at sack percentage with a sack on 12.7% of opponent passing plays. Scott Patchan, Toby McBride, and Dequan Jackson need to keep the defense up and ready all game.
https://twitter.com/CSURamsRadio/status/1455936487145365509
3. Take Advantage of Turnovers
Wyoming is 105th in the country in turnover margin at -4. They average nearly two giveaways a game. This game may be a slow boil and the Rams need to be prepared for their opportunities and take advantage of the sudden change opportunities when they present themselves.
Colorado State has shown the big play ability. They just weren’t able to connect early on in the season. With Dante Wright back in the mix, Ty McCullouch showing up, Trey McBride doing his thing, and David Bailey providing that running game punch, the Rams have the ability to put this game away.
Prediction
The Rams are going to come into this game angry. They had too many opportunities slip through their hands last week. They want to make up for that and keep the Bronze Boot in Fort Collins. The Rams come out and play smash mouth football on both sides of the ball.
Colorado State 27, Wyoming 10
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