The 2017 Rocky Mountain Showdown Colorado vs Colorado State matchup is here. Check out our preview and prediction for this year’s matchup.
Can we all at least agree that we hope this years game isn’t so one-sided? Colorado absolutely handed it to Colorado State in last year’s season-opening game by a score of 44-7. It was the start of an incredible season for Colorado and led to a rebound from CSU, who finished their season strong as well.
Above all else, this is a rivalry game and to be honest you never know what can happen in rivalry games. It goes without saying that CSU will be looking for revenge against the Buffs. The 44-7 score will not have left the players or coaches memories. The only way to rectify such a loss is to go out there and take care of business.
Colorado State comes into this game having already played on game, a 58-27 win over Oregon State. It’s safe to say the Rams have some momentum. Colorado will be going into their first game of the year. The Buffs might have to work out some first game kinks that the Rams might not have to deal with in this game which is a solid advantage for the Rams. They have some in game chemistry on the year where the Buffs don’t yet.
This should be a fun game to watch as CU will be looking to show that 2016 wasn’t an anomaly for them and that they can sustain success coming into 2017. Colorado State wants revenge and would like nothing more than to spoil the opening game for their rival and get their second straight victory over a Pac-12 team.
Here is how you can watch Saturday’s Colorado vs Colorado State game:
Date: Friday, Sept. 1
Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
Location: Denver, Colo.
Venue: Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium
TV: Pac-12 Network
Live Stream: Pac-12 Network Live
Keys to victory
For the Colorado Buffaloes, Steven Montez’s debut as the full time starter will be the key to their victory. Montez showed flashes of talent in spurts of time when he would come in last year. But he has to continue to develop. The talent is there and he could be one of the better quarterbacks in the Pac-12 but he’ll have to prove it against an improved Colorado State defense.
Colorado’s defense will have to come ready t play against the hot handed Nick Stevens and the rest of the CSU offense. If they can slow the Rams down it’ll give the Buffs a better shot at winning.
Colorado State was balanced in their opener against Oregon State. But CU should be a much better team than the Beavers. The Colorado State offense should take care of itself. The Rams defense has to show up in the same form that they were in in the second half of the game against Oregon State.
If that defense shows up, then a victory will be easier to come by. But if the CSU defense from last season’s Rocky Mountain Showdown shows up, then it could be a very long day for the Rams. The defensive line in particular has to step up. Philip Lindsay ran all over them last season, they cannot afford that to happen again.
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Prediction
When college football fans think of rivalries in this game, CU and CSU don’t tend to come to mind but nevertheless this is a rivalry game. It is important to fans and players on both sides of the ball. Colorado State probably has the most motivation for this game. They want to make up for the embarrassment that was last years showdown. Colorado will be looking to get a win and start their season off on the right foot.
Because of the extra motivation of the Rams and the game that they have already played, the Rams look to be the one to pick for this game. They have the momentum and the more experienced hand at quarterback. The outcome will fall on the Rams defense and whether they prove themselves capable against an effective offense. In this instance, I think they’ll get it done.
Final Score: Colorado State 42, Colorado 35