CSU embracing the underdog mentality as Rams prepare for 2019 Rocky Mountain Showdown

FORT COLLINS, Colo. — When Colorado State takes the field Friday night, Mike Bobo believes this team will be playing with a chip on their shoulders — so long as the team stays within themselves, the fifth-year head coach of the Rams is okay with that.

 “I’m ready to go compete,” Bobo said. 

Following Tuesday’s practice, Bobo explained how the Rams are trying to focus on themselves and not let the moment become too big for them to handle. Having never defeated the University of Colorado in his four years at CSU, Bobo knows that most folks aren’t giving the green and gold much a chance but as he told the media, it’s why they play the game.

The key, of course, for CSU will be channeling that underdog mentality into productive play. As Bobo expressed at the podium, CSU can only affect what’s in their control — not the narrative or what’s being said about them by the outside world.

If the Rams can take all of their adrenaline and hunger to beat their bitter rivals and use it as motivation, while still maintaining sight of the ultimate goal, winning, then Bobo believes his players coming out with some edge could be a really good thing.

“I think when you’re an underdog, you want to have a little bit of a chip on your shoulder,” Bobo said, before doubling down on the importance of not letting emotion be a detriment. 

For weeks, we’ve heard about how the staff and players have been revitalized by the improved culture within the locker room. No longer are the Rams a group of individuals trying to put up numbers, they’ve evolved into something much more unique.

According to multiple members of the team and Bobo, himself, the guys that will be suiting up this season are much more like brothers than classmates — and it’s that bond that is fueling their competitive flame.

“I think our guys have a chip on their shoulder for this game and for this season — and I don’t think it’s just words either — the guys have done a great job of working and preparing and doing everything that we’ve asked them to do,” Bobo said. 

One of the most difficult things that the staff will ask the players to do in Week 1 will be slowing down Colorado’s electric duo of quarterback Steven Montez and wide receiver Laviska Shenault. As Bobo explained on Tuesday, what makes the tandem so difficult to contain is their versatility.

In the 2018 Rocky Mountain Showdown, Shenault had a monster showing with 11 receptions for 211 yards and one touchdown. However, more than half of those receptions were plays designed to get the 6-foot-2, 220-pound, wideout the football at or behind the line of scrimmage. Even on Shenault’s 89-yard touchdown, he still only caught the ball six yards from the line of scrimmage and then used his athleticism to out-run CSU’s entire defense.

“He’s not just your typical true receiver, he’s able to do things out of the backfield, he’s played wildcat quarterback, he does everything,” Bobo said. “They’ve done a great job of, in the past, getting him the ball.”

So how does CSU even try to slow down an athletic beast like No. 2? Bobo says communication and eye discipline will be paramount. More than anything, though, he wants his defensive unit to recognize that it’s going to take a complete team effort to stop CU’s offense.

Bobo wants his defensive line to pressure Montez and disrupt his timing. He wants the corners and linebackers shouting out defensive keys. And when the ball is the hands of one of CU’s playmakers, Bobo wants his defenders swarming to make the tackle.

“(With) the way they got the ball to Shenault in the past, I think it’s going to be a team effort defensively,” Bobo said. 

With less than 48 hours until kickoff, Bobo feels good about his team and how they’ve prepared for the nearly-annual in-state game. However, he knows that when the lights come on Friday night and around 70,000 people are in the stands, that’s when he’ll be able to truly evaluate his squad.

“The true test is gametime — when the bands are playing, the coaches are on the sideline and they’re out there by themselves,” Bobo said. 

The positivity throughout fall has been encouraging but the Week 1 rivalry game will be CSU’s first chance to show whether the growth they’ve talked about all summer will translate onto the field.

The Buffs have great athletes on both sides of the football and want to embaresses ‘little brother’ just as much as CSU wants to stick it in their faces. Friday night, we’ll find out which team wants it more.

College football is officially back, baby. Let’s do this.