Colorado State Football: Preview, Prediction and Live Stream vs. Boise State
Colorado State football looks to keep its conference title hopes alive this week against Boise State. Here is our preview of this crucial Mountain West showdown.
The Colorado State Rams looked like one of the top contenders in the conference this season but have since lost two games in a row to their rivals Air Force and Wyoming. The Rams are 6-4 on the year with additional losses to Colorado and Alabama.
The Ram defense has looked lost of late and will need to find themselves this week if CSU is to get a home win over the Broncos. A loss would end what little chances the Rams have of making the Mountain West championship. A win however, would certainly elevate their chances.
Boise State began the year slow, opening with a 2-2 record. The Broncos however have gotten better as the season has progressed, winning their last five games in a row. Albeit the Broncos losses were to Washington State and Virginia.
If Boise is to keep their winning streak alive then their defense will have to be at its best against Colorado State’s offense. Quarterback Brett Rypien will need to take advantage of a reeling defense, and possibly counter the CSU offense if Boise cannot contain the Rams stellar receivers and running backs.
Here is how you can watch the showdown between the Broncos and the Rams.
Date: Saturday, November 11, 2017
Time: 10:30pm ET
Location: Fort Collins, Co
Venue: Colorado State Stadium at Sonny Lubick Field
TV: CBS Sports Network
Live Stream: CBS Sports Network Online
Keys to victory
The Colorado State defense has been abysmal ever since their game against Nevada in early October. The Rams have lost two straight and need a win to stay alive in the Mountain West race. If Colorado State is going to win this game then the defense has to get the Broncos off the field early and often.
If the defense cannot come through then winning the game will fall to the arm of quarterback Nick Stevens. Stevens and the rest of the Rams offense have been prolific in 2017 and they’ll be looking forward to not playing in a blizzard this week. The offense should be able to put points up on offense but a timely stop by either defense might be the difference in this game. In this case, the Rams have to be the one to get that stop.
Boise State knows that CSU brings a talented offense into this game and they’ll need to score often to stay in it. That said, Brett Rypien will have to be the one to make plays in the air. The Broncos defense needs to get stops. In particular, they’ll want to key in on wide receiver Michael Gallup. Gallup is one of the best receivers in the country and if gets going, then there won’t be a lot that the CSU offense can’t do. Boise also needs to limit the Rams run game. Stopping Dalyn Dawkins and Izzy Matthews will be imperative to the Broncos success in this matchup.
Prediction
This promises to be one of the best games in the Mountain West in 2017. Colorado State narrowly missed an upset win in Boise last season. The Rams know they can play with the Broncos and will be looking to get that win they just missed out on last season. More importantly is the fact that a win over the Broncos keeps Colorado State’s Mountain West championship hopes alive. A win by the Broncos all but assures them of winning the Mountain Division.
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This will be a close game with lots of scoring but with the game being in Fort Collins and more on the line for the Rams, I’m giving the edge and the win to Colorado State.