Colorado State @ Colorado preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 4, 2010 ) Colorado 24, Colorado State 3

THE STORY: Colorado State is off to a fast start, but has yet to play anyone at Colorado’s level. The opposite is true for Colorado, which lost last week despite record-setting performances by quarterback Tyler Hansen and wide receiver Paul Richardson. The Buffaloes have yet to establish a running game, but the Rams’ defense could be accommodating, especially with its best player – Mychal Sisson – out with a broken ankle. Colorado has won six of the last eight meetings and leads the series 60-20-2, including a 24-3 victory last season. The game will be played at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver – a neutral site.

TV: Root Sports. LINE: Colorado -7.5

ABOUT COLORADO STATE (2-0): Sisson, a senior linebacker who was injured in last week’s 33-14 victory over Northern Colorado, leads the nation with 40 career tackles behind the line of scrimmage. His absence is sure to further weaken a defense which has allowed 338 yards rushing this season. Colorado State, which was picked to finish fifth in the eight-team Mountain West Conference, last started 3-0 in 2009 before losing its last nine games. The Rams opened their season with a 14-10 victory over MWC foe New Mexico.

ABOUT COLORADO (0-2): Rodney Stewart, the Buffaloes’ leading rusher, has only 125 yards in two games. Hansen threw for a school-record 474 yards in the 36-33 loss to California in overtime while Richardson, a sophomore, had a school-record 282 receiving yards. Richardson has 10 touchdowns in 14 career games. Colorado opened with a 34-17 loss to Hawaii when Hansen was sacked seven times. He did not take a sack last week as the Buffaloes rolled him out of the pocket on several occasions.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Colorado State is 2-0 or better entering its meeting with Colorado for the first time since 1941; Colorado faces Colorado State 0-2 or worse for the first time since 1939.

2. Colorado has committed 19 penalties (fourth-worst in the nation) for 156 yards (ninth-worst), including 12 for 98 last week.

3. Colorado State racked up 501 yards – 242 on the ground – against Northern Colorado as Raymond Carter rushed for 100 yards and two touchdowns. Carter is averaging 5.2 yards per carry this season.

PREDICTION: Colorado 38, Colorado State 14 – Speed will be a huge factor again, except this time the Buffaloes will be the faster team and roll in the Rocky Mountain Showdown.