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Colorado State at Boise State: Keys for a Rams Victory
The Rams are looking to continue to grow this week.
Contact/Follow @J0shFr3d & @MWCwire
Can the Rams finally get over the Boise hump?
WEEK 11: Colorado State Rams (1-1, 1-1 Mountain West) vs. Boise State Broncos (2-1, 2-0 Mountain West)
WHEN: Thursday, November 12 — 6:00 PM MT/5:00 PM PT
WHERE: Albertsons Stadium; Boise, Idaho (36,387)
TV: Fox Sports 1
STREAM: Get a one-week trial of FuboTV.
RADIO: CSU Rams Radio
ODDS (via ESPN): Boise State -14
Three Keys to a Rams Victory
https://twitter.com/CSUFootball/status/1325832033797435393
1. Get The Running Game Going
The Rams have struggled to run the ball this year. They’re only averaging 118 yards per game so far this season. Head Coach Steve Addazio wants CSU to be a physical, blue collar, shove it down your throat type of team and the Rams just haven’t been yet.
Success came through the air for the Rams last week against Wyoming. But eventually one team will shut down the Rams passing game and the Rams will need to have their running game step up and carry the burden so to speak.
Marcus McElroy is the starting running back, but hasn’t been that effective this season. McElroy is a big running back, but doesn’t run like one. The Rams leading rusher is A’Jon Vivens, a converted wide receiver. The running game needs to step up in order for the Rams to win.
2. Defensive Line Havoc
The Rams are second in the nation in tackles for loss per game and tied for the national lead in sacks per game. The Rams were constantly in the backfield against Wyoming. It’s been a while since we’ve seen a Colorado State team that has been this physical.
Colorado State needs to keep this level of physical play high against Boise State. The Broncos struggled against BYU last week without George Holani. If Holani can’t play this week, expect the Rams to test the Broncos running game before bringing the pressure against the Boise quarterbacks.
3. A More Involved Passing Game
Dante Wright and Trey McBride account for 65.7% (23/35) of the Rams receptions this season. Nate Craig-Myers and E.J. Scott are the only other Rams with more than one reception. The Rams need more people to step up in 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.
Prediction
The Rams are playing physically and that Addazio “Dude” attitude is starting to show through. If they can keep improving week over week, this Colorado State team will become a force in the Mountain West. This matchup presents a benchmark for the Rams to reach in that journey.
Colorado State hasn’t beaten Boise State since the Broncos have joined the Mountain West. I don’t believe they will do it this week either, but they will get their shots in. Boise right now is just a better overall team than the Rams. CSU will get theirs in time, but it’s just not this week.
Boise State State 41, Colorado State 35
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