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Boise State vs Colorado State: Keys to a Rams Win, How to Watch, Odds, Prediction
CSU looks to get back on track against Boise State
Contact/Follow @J0shFr3d & @MWCwire
Can the Rams break the streak?
WEEK 9: Boise State Broncos (3-4, 1-2 Mountain West) vs Colorado State Rams (3-4, 2-1 Mountain West)
WHEN: Saturday, October 30th — 5 PM MT/4 PM PT
WHERE: Canvas Stadium, Fort Collins, CO
TV: CBS Sports Network
STREAMING: Fans can sign up to receive a free one-week trial of Fubo, which includes CBSSN, by following this link.
RADIO: The Colorado State broadcast can be found in and around the Fort Collins area on 102.9 FM. The Boise State broadcast can be found in and around the Boise area on 93.1 FM.
SERIES RECORD: This will be the 11th matchup between these two schools. Boise State leads the series 10-0. Boise State won the last matchup 52-21 in Boise in 2020.
LAST WEEK: Colorado State lost a heartbreaker to Utah State 26-24, while Bosie State was on a bye week.
WEBSITES: BroncoSports.com, the official Bosie State athletics website | CSURams.com, the official Colorado State athletics website
GAME NOTES (PDF): Boise State | Colorado State
ODDS (as of 10/27, via Vegas Insider): Boise State -2.5
SP+ PROJECTION: Bosie State by 0.5
FEI PROJECTION: Boise State by 4.3
The Colorado State Rams had their momentum halted on a mess of confusion that made them a laughing stock. Head Coach Steve Addazio took the blame for the confusion immediately after the game, even if the media would lead you to believe otherwise, and said he would fix it.
This week the Rams face the Boise State Broncos. The Rams have not beaten Boise State in 10 tries. They’ve come close, insert Falcons 28-3 meme here, on a couple of occasions. But haven’t done enough to win. This year seems like their best chance ever to defeat the Broncos.
Here’s how the Rams can end their 10 game losing streak to Boise State.
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Three Keys to a Rams Victory
1. Be Patient on Defense
Utah State got the Rams to jump offsides a lot with the hard count. It’s now on film and you can bet that Hank Bachmeier and the Broncos will be using the hard count to their best this week. Even if it’s not the clapping, Boise State will use something to try to get the Rams to jump.
https://twitter.com/CSUFootball/status/1453526934307196928
Colorado State is second in the nation with 30 sacks. Scott Patchan and the rest of the Rams defensive line are a quick twitch bunch. They want to beat the opposing offensive line off the ball and get around the corner quickly. Against Boise State, the Rams will need to remain patient in order to be effective.
2. Balanced Offensive Approach
Run the dang ball, Bobo! Can I still say that? It doesn’t really matter. It is what needs to happen on Saturday, along with Todd Centeio commanding the passing game. Boise State is giving up over 400 yards of total offense, nearly evenly split 50/50 between rushing and passing. This is the perfect opportunity for Steve Addazio and offensive coordinator Jon Budmayr to show their balanced offense approach.
Get David Bailey running those wide sweeps that worked against Utah State last week. Hit Trey McBride and Gary Williams on the underneath routes. Get Jordan Kress and Ty McCullouch working on those intermediate routes. And then send Dante Wright on the deep ball to keep the Broncos defense guessing.
https://twitter.com/MountainWest/status/1453481884437172231
3. Special Teams
It seems to be the Rams achilles heel. But against the Broncos it needs to be a focus. They had three kicks, two punts and a field goal, blocked for touchdowns last season in Boise. This year, the Rams have placed more of an emphasis on special teams. Colorado State has only had one punt blocked all season and have only given up one return for a touchdown.
The Broncos are still dangerous on special teams, even if they can’t get to the ball. They have returned a punt for a touchdown and they’re averaging over 22 yards per kickoff return. The Rams need to make sure they cover their assignments during every phase of special teams.
Prediction
A streak has to end at some point. This seems to be as good a year as any for the Rams to finally beat Boise State. The spread is the closest it has been since 2017 when it was -6.5. The Rams defense has shown they can keep teams in check. The offense has started showing flashes. It will be a close one, but the Rams pull it out in the end.
Colorado State 27, Boise State 24
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