Unique schedule provides CSU football an opportunity to gain national exposure

FORT COLLINS, Colo. — Colorado State’s 2020 schedule will be a blast from the past. 

Much like when the Rams used to square off with BYU and Air Force under the lights of Hughes Stadium during the Sonny Lubick years, CSU will play four games on Thursdays in 2020. 

Starting with Fresno State on Oct. 29, continuing with Wyoming on Nov. 5, and followed by Boise State on Nov. 12, CSU football will play three of its first four games on Thursday nights — all for national audiences — and all with kickoffs before 8 p.m. MT. CSU’s fourth weekday contest is a trip down I-25 for a Thanksgiving Day matchup with the Air Force Falcons. 

While the schedule will provide some challenges — for instance, the Rams will have to play two opponents, including Air Force, on a short week and in a year where there is no bye worked into the eight-game format. “That’s all part of it,” Addazio said of the challenges presented to his team. 

The unique schedule should also give the Rams a chance to gain some positive national exposure though — particularly if CSU can perform in the big moments, like the Border War or trip to Boise State. 

“I used to love watching Thursday Night Football. There’s nothing better as a college coach,” Steve Addazio said on Wednesday.  “Generally, on Thursday nights, you’re able to get home at a reasonable hour, click on the TV and get to watch college football. And in my experience, it used to be some of the most talked about games.”

Addazio continued on how throughout his coaching experience, whatever game took place on Thursday night used to always be the focus of discussion amongst the various coaches on Friday morning.

“All of the coaches would be talking, and be like, ‘hey, did you watch the game last night? Oh yeah, I watched the game. It was a great game’… So, yeah, I think Thursday Night Football gives you great exposure. And I think it’s fun.

“Obviously, we don’t have all the fans but there have been some wild crowds and wild games — CSU has participated in those in the past. I think it’s a good thing and I’m looking forward to it.”

Aside from drawing in a potentially larger TV audience of casual fans across the country, the other benefit to the schedule, as Addazio explained, is that college football fans like himself can enjoy the Rams game on Thursday nights and still be able to watch Saturday’s slate of action.

“Being a college football fan, just being honest with you, it’s pretty cool if you play on Thursday night,” Addazio said. “And you get your win hopefully. Then you wake up feeling pretty good on Friday. And then you get a chance to maybe watch a little college football over the weekend.”

For the Ram faithful, getting to watch any SEC or Big Ten action will certainly be a cherry on top, but obviously nothing will be as sweet as seeing the green and gold take the field at Canvas Stadium for the first time this fall. 

As things currently stand, CSU will open the 2020 season against New Mexico at Canvas Stadium on Oct. 24.