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Air Force vs Colorado State: Three Keys to a Rams Win

The Rams have a chance to move closer to bowl eligibility

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Can the Rams beat a rival?

WEEK 12: Air Force Falcons (7-2, 4-1 Mountain West) vs Colorado State Rams (4-5, 3-2 Mountain West)

WHEN: Saturday, November 16th — 5:00 PM MT/4:00 PM PT

WHERE: Canvas Stadium; Fort Collins, Colorado (41,000)

TV: ESPN2

RADIO: Air Force | Colorado State

SERIES RECORD: This will be the 58th matchup between the two teams. Air Force currently leads the series 35-21-1

WEBSITES: GoAirForceFalcons.com, the official Air Force athletics website | CSURams.com, the official Colorado State athletics website

ODDS (via OddsShark): Air Force -10

SP+ PROJECTION: Air Force by 14.1 (79% win probability)

FEI PROJECTION: Air Force by 20.2

The Colorado State Rams have a chance to gain bowl eligibility by winning two out of their last three games. This week, the Air Force Falcons and their option offense are standing in their way.

After games where the Rams let the Falcons score 40+ points, last season CSU kept the game close, losing 27-19. This season the Rams are riding high on a resurgent defense in conference play. Here’s how CSU can beat the Falcons.

He's seen combat in the Middle East and trained with Army Rangers and Green Berets.

Now Staff Sergeant Joshua Griffin is tackling a new mission: on the football field.

The 33-year-old shares how he made his dream of playing college football come true tonight on @NBCNightlyNews. pic.twitter.com/YeAg5Oar0j

— NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt (@NBCNightlyNews) November 14, 2019

Three Keys to a Colorado State Victory

1. Contain the fullback dive.

The Rams have had the fullback dive drilled into their heads over the past two weeks. “Every day. Every time I walk in the building,” defensive tackle Ellison Hubbard told CSURams.com. “We’re going to hear fullback dive, dive, just dive, dive, dive. We’re going to hear it.”

CSU gave up 260 yards and a touchdown to Cole Fagan last year. Fagan is no longer with the team, but the fullback still plays a big role in the offense with two of the Falcons top three rushers being fullbacks. The Rams need to limit the damage down from the Falcons fullback if they want to win.

2. The defense needs to stay with their assignments.

The Air Force Falcons are an extremely disciplined football team; which comes as a result of their daily military training. They know their assignments and they know how to execute to make a team pay for their mistakes.

If the Rams are to walk away with a victory, they cannot freelance anything. If the CSU defense tries to get cute, the Falcons will break open a big, chunk yards play. The Rams will need to play smash mouth, keep on assignment football to beat the Falcons.

3. Get the running game going.

The Air Force Falcons defense against the run ranks ninth in the country, allowing only 96.8 yards per game. The Rams rushing attack is currently averaging 156.6 yards per game. Something has to give on Saturday and the Rams are hoping it everything falls their way.

Colorado State’s leading rusher, Marvin Kinsey, was suspended and eventually let go from the team. However, the Rams rushing attacked hasn’t faltered at all with Marcus McElroy being the one to step up and take on the roll of a bell cow. McElroy will need to play a big role if the Rams are to win.

Prediction

This game is always a toss-up as to who wins. Yes, Air Force has won more often than not. But the results have varied widely from blowouts by both sides to three-point victories by both sides. The Rams have the ability and talent to match up well against Air Force, it’s just a matter of execution. Expect the Rams to be on after the bye week and win a close game.

CSU 38, Air Force 35

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Can the Rams rebound after a beating from Duke?

WHO: Omaha Mavericks (2-1) vs. Colorado State Rams (1-1)

WHEN: Wednesday, November 13 — 7:00 PM MT/6:00 PM PT

WHERE: Moby Arena; Fort Collins, Colorado (8,745)

STREAM: Stadium

SERIES RECORD: Colorado State leads the series 2-0

ODDS: Colorado State -6 per VegasInsider.com

The Colorado State Rams return home to Moby Arena to face the Omaha Mavericks. The Rams are coming off a 89-55 loss to Duke, while the Mavericks are coming off a 90-61 victory over Bethune-Cookman.

The Rams had a kind of a let down performance against Duke, but that was to be expected with such a young team. “I really like my team. I thought our young guys got a ton of experience out there today,” CSU coach Niko Medved told the Coloradoan.

The CSU freshman are going to need to grow up throughout this season in order for the Rams to be successful. The two standouts so far are Isaiah Stevens and David Roddy. Stevens looks to be a good complement to Kendle Moore and Roddy plays bigger than he is; both had 12 points against Duke.

Nico Carvacho had a quiet 11 point, nine rebound night against the Blue Devils. Carvacho is going to need to put that game behind him as he will most likely be matched up against Matt Pile. The Mavericks big man is averaging 14.3 ppg and 10.3 rpg.

Colorado State is favored coming into this game. But if they play sloppy basketball, Pile, JT Gibson, and Ayo Akinwole will make them pay. If the Rams can communicate and play solid defense they should walk away with the win.

Expect a dog fight, with the Rams pulling away at the end. CSU 75-67 Omaha.

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Tag: CSU Rams