Boise State Football: Game-by-game predictions for 2017

Last season, Colorado State nearly knocked off Boise State in Idaho. The Rams went to Albertsons Stadium and spotted the home side a 28-3 lead through the first 50 minutes. Then everything was turned upside-down as the Rams mounted a furious comeback attempt. Mike Bobo’s team scored three fourth-quarter touchdowns but ran out of time against the Broncos.

The defeat marked the sixth straight season that Boise State took down the Rams in divisional play. It was, however, the first time in six tries that Colorado State held the deficit to single digits. This year, Bobo’s crew returns all but two of its defensive starters. They also have starting quarterback Nick Stevens back for his final year of eligibility.

With Oregon State, Colorado, and Alabama in non-conference play, the Rams will probably have only a shot at conference honors this season. They could play the ultimate spoiler that costs the league a larger postseason payday for every team.

Final: Colorado State 41, Boise State 38 (8-2, 5-1 MWC)

Stevens has a core group of receivers back from last season’s prolific passing attack. The Rams are going to give Boise State’s secondary fits in Fort Collins. After a pair of disappointingly close losses in back-to-back rivalry games against Air Force and Wyoming, look for Colorado State to put everything into this showdown. It will result in an upset over Boise State that will probably knock them out of contention for a major bowl invitation.