Staff Picks – Utah State vs Colorado State
Matt Harris – @snowmatt1417
The positives of Colorado State? They can score the ball any given night, an opportunity that a struggling Aggie secondary can afford them in the Mav. They also just tend to show up for Utah State no matter what. This is the team that came merely an out-of-bounds pinky toe away from knocking off the best USU team in history last year in Fort Collins.
But let’s talk reality. The Rams are undeniably weak in 2019. They have a 1-3 record, their only win coming against Western Illinois, and even they put a respectable 13 points on CSU. The Rams have lost big against Colorado in their rivalry game, had their defense burnt to a crisp by Toledo, and got hammered by Arkansas. That’s the same Arkansas that San Jose State just beat in SEC country.
CSU is in the bottom 10 in FBS football in points allowed and rush defense. The Rams will get theirs in terms of putting points on the board, but expect Jordan Love to get cozy, Jaylen Warren to carry defenders into the endzone on his back (if they can even reach him), and fans to get really, really good at singing in the Scotsman. HAPPY HOMECOMING!
Prediction: Utah State 55 Colorado State 23
Photo by: Chantelle McCall
Dalton Renshaw – @dren_sports
Despite out-gaining Toledo by 147 yards and losing by one touchdown, Colorado State wasn’t in the game nearly as much as the box score indicates. In fact, the Rams haven’t been competitive in really any of its games except the lone win over FCS school Western Illinois. Colorado State is third from last in turnovers per game and 123rd in the nation in scoring defense, giving up 40.3 points per game. Through three games, Utah State averages 40.0 points per game. Now, it’s not a perfect science, but a prolific offense meeting a poor defense usually results in a high-scoring win.
Colorado State will also most likely be missing two of its best offensive weapons, running back Marvin Kinsey Jr. and receiver Warren Jackson, which much like the rain, dampens any serious chance of a shootout between the two teams. The Rams do have quite the arsenal of receivers on the roster — meaning that if quarterback Patrick O’Brien can find a rhythm in the game — it could keep the Rams fighting.
I do not see this being the reality. Even if Colorado State can fight back late in the second half, I don’t see it being enough in the end. Utah State will yet again display how explosive its offense is and be up three touchdowns by halftime.
Prediction: Utah State 52 Colorado State 20
Listen to the game on Aggie Radio 92.3 KBLU-LP and follow the @utahstatesman on twitter for live coverage during the game.