Colorado State still has plenty to play for in 2021 — the path to success starts with finally overcoming Boise State

DENVER — 10 games, 10 losses. 

Colorado State is the only team in the Mountain West to have never beaten Boise State. The series started with a 63-13 throttling back in 2011 and has been an annual gut punch for the Ram Faithful ever since. 

There have been some competitive games over the years. In 2013 the Rams jumped out to a 10-0 lead in the first quarter, but ended up losing a shootout to the Broncos (42-30) despite putting up 626 yards of total offense. The 2014 matchup was a back-and-forth affair as well. As were the 2016 and 2019 games, both of which the Rams ended up losing by single scores. 

Of all the shortcomings to Boise State, none stung quite like 2017; a night in which the Rams jumped out to a 25 point lead and even led by 14 with 3 minutes left. Still, somehow, CSU managed to blow it. 

After the Broncos recovered an onside kick and tied the score at 52 apiece to force overtime, an unfortunate fumble by Rashaad Boddie on the Rams’ first possession ultimately sealed CSU’s fate. The 59-52 heartbreaker at Canvas Stadium is the only loss I’d put up with the 2004 Rocky Mountain Showdown in Boulder. It was truly devastating to the players, staff and fans — the type of memory that will haunt you forever. The consequences were real too as it was the final blow to CSU’s hopes of reaching the Mountain West Championship for the first time since 2002. 

Although they were a little less painful than the tight games, the series has also had some brutal beatdowns. We already mentioned the first-ever meeting back in 2011, but 2012, 2015, 2018 and 2020 were pretty much just as lopsided. 2020 was probably the worst since 2011 — at least in terms of feeling helpless — getting three different kicks blocked isn’t exactly a normal occurrence. 

In a lot of ways the series between CSU and Boise State over the last 10 years resembles the recent history between CSU and New Mexico. There have been thrillers and there have been beatdowns, when the dust settles it always ends the same though, and that’s with Boise State on top. Much like the Lobos view the Rams as an obstacle they must overcome to reach their desired goals, Boise State is the measuring stick for the Green & Gold. If CSU wants to be a program that is truly respected nationally, to be one of the more relevant G5 teams, etc., then the Rams have to find a way to shatter the glass ceiling. 

“We are really excited and locked in for this game against Boise State, a team that we have never beaten,” head coach Steve Addazio told the press on Monday. “Obviously (it’s) a huge challenge for us.”

Addazio emphasized that Boise State is an explosive team with talent all over the field. In particular he talked about how stout they are along the defensive line, and even said that outside of Iowa, the Broncos are without a question the most talented team the Rams have had to face this season. “Any time that you can make a statement that we’ve never beaten them, that tells you how large of a challenge that really is.”

When asked if the previous results are being used as a motivational tactic by the staff, Addazio was open about how they’re mentioning it consistently to the team. 

“We haven’t beaten Boise State. That’s the high water mark in the conference,” Addazio said. “To their credit they’ve done it year in and year out. They’ve established that tradition, that water mark. So if you want to build your program, you want to try and get those wins against the premiere teams. They’re a premiere team.

“We haven’t done it,” Addazio continued  “So of course the players need to know that we haven’t done it. It’s something that would be a great accomplishment.”

While beating the Broncos wouldn’t change last week’s frustrating finish at Utah State or erase the past 10 results against Boise State, finally overcoming that hurdle would definitely be a significant moment for the program. Even the Lobos have topped the Broncos at one point, so getting that burden off of everyone’s back would be big. Just knowing that you’ve done something before is always confidence inspiring, so thinking big picture, it’s one of those things that needs to happen for the Rams to establish the winning brand they desire. 

Short-term a win would be massive for CSU’s chances of staying alive in the race for the Mountain Division and it would greatly increase the Rams’ chances of making a bowl game as well. As the line currently stands Boise State is listed as 2.5 point favorites over CSU this Saturday at Canvas Stadium. I thought it would be a pick-em contest but considering it’s the first single score spread since the Broncos were favored by 6.5 in 2017, it does show that Las Vegas believes the Rams have a legitimate chance of pulling the upset.

If the defense plays how they have over the past two weeks, but just reduces the amount of penalties they take, CSU should certainly be in the game. In spite of some frustrating outcomes, the team has fought like hell this year in every single game this season. There has never been a moment where it seemed like the Rams were just laying down or accepting defeat. They’ve always come out swinging to the bitter end.

Having said that, as the Rams have found out the hard way three different times, winning tight games generally comes down to a small handful of moments. Connecting on shot plays, falling on a loose ball, understanding the situation and managing the clock — the difference between winning and losing can be a fine line. 

It’s time to see if the Rams are up for the challenge. Is 2021 going to be a special one? Or is it going to be remembered for the same type of frustration that’s been synonymous with CSU football for much of the last 20 years? We’ll likely have our answer by the end of the game Saturday night.