Colorado @ Colorado State preview
Sonny Lubick Field at Canvas Stadium
Last Meeting ( Sep 16, 2023 ) Colorado State 35, Colorado 43
Colorado and Colorado State renew a longstanding rivalry on Saturday in Fort Collins after a thrilling finish last year.
Colorado beat Colorado State 43-35 in double overtime in last year's installment of the Rocky Mountain Showdown to retain the Centennial Cup, a trophy that dates to 1893. This year marks the first time the matchup will be played on the Rams' campus since 1996.
Colorado (1-1) holds a 68-22-2 advantage and is looking to rebound from a 28-10 loss at Nebraska last Saturday. The Buffaloes' forgettable first half featured a 28-0 halftime deficit and a pick-six. Shedeur Sanders was sacked four times.
While the Buffaloes were overwhelmed in Nebraska, Colorado State (1-1) knocked off FCS opponent Northern Colorado 38-17 last Saturday. Braden Fowler-Nicolosi had 180 passing yards with a touchdown. Keegan Holles had a game-high 89 rushing yards and a TD.
Colorado coach Deion Sanders said his offensive line must offer more protection for Shedeur Sanders and establish a rushing game. Dallan Hayden led Colorado with 32 yards on just five carries.
"Running the football is an attitude you have to have," Sanders said. "You have to whup your guy on that particular play. We've committed to it on certain plays, we just have to do a better job of it."
While under near constant pressure from the Cornhuskers, Shedeur Sanders threw for 244 yards with a touchdown and an interception.
"Everything starts with their offense and quarterback," Colorado State coach Jay Norvell said. "They are very, very capable of being very explosive. They have a lot of speed at wide receiver and are very fast with (Travis) Hunter, (Jimmy) Horn Jr. and (LaJohntay) Wester. They mostly attack through the air and everything goes through the quarterback. When they make explosive plays, they are very hard to slow down."
According to Pro Football Focus, wide receiver/defensive back Hunter played 128 of 136 plays against Nebraska. He leads Colorado with 17 catches, 242 yards and three touchdowns. Last week, the Cornhuskers targeted him with four passes and three were caught for a total of 7 yards.
"The team that's prepared, that makes the least amount of mistakes will win the game," Norvell said. "There's going to be a lot of energy and we have to do a better job of controlling it and focusing it the proper way."
--Field Level Media