FORT COLLINS – For the University of Northern Colorado, this game is the Super Bowl. Colorado State has never lost to the Bears, going 19-0-1 in a series that dates back to 1893.
Here are the five keys to the game:
Would the real CSU quarterback please stand up?
If there’s a game where the Rams QB’s can get back on track, it’s this one. Points should come fairly easy for CSU, as long as they take care of the ball and execute. It wouldn’t be all that surprising if head coach Mike Bobo gave snaps to all three of his quarterbacks against the Bears. But one of them, ideally their newly named starter Collin Hill, absolutely has to separate themselves with a daunting road trip to Minnesota next week.
Keep the momentum going on defense
UNC has been a scoring machine through two weeks. They’ve scored 55-plus points in both games, averaged 574 yards per game, scored touchdowns on nine of 10 red zone opportunities and feature 11 different players that have scored a touchdown this season. Bobo mentioned they’re a confident bunch, so the CSU defense will try to put a stop to their success.
Limit the penalties and turnovers
The only way UNC wins this game is if CSU beats themselves. So far, the Rams rank 19th nationally with just 4.5 penalties averaged per game. Having a repeat performance from last week, where CSU went turnover-free, would limit any sort of game-changing momentum for the Bears.
Pick up the slack at running back
Bobo said earlier in the week that Dalyn Dawkins and Izzy Matthews are dinged up, meaning guys like Marvin Kinsey, Bryce Peters and Detrich Clark could see more touches out of the backfield.
Don’t overlook the opponent
Yes, UNC plays in the Big Sky Conference. Yes, CSU has yet to lose to the Bears. And of course, the Rams have a nationally televised game next week against the University of Minnesota. But taking 2015 into account, UNC sports an 8-5 record in their last 13 games. The last thing Bobo wants is to be 1-2 heading into the meat of the schedule.
