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Colorado State vs UNLV: Why The Rams Can Win, How to Watch, Odds, Predicition
The Rams head to Vegas to face the Rebels
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Can the Rams get above .500?
WEEK 8: Colorado State Rams (3-3, 1-1 MW) vs. UNLV Rebels (5-1, 2-0 MW)
WHEN: Saturday, October 21st — 5:00 p.m. MST / 4:00 p.m. PST
WHERE: Allegiant Stadium; Las Vegas, NV (65,000)
WEATHER: Clear Sky, high of 79 degrees
TV: MW Network
RADIO: K99-FM 99.1 / ESPN 1600 AM (Colorado)
SERIES RECORD: This will be the 25th matchup between these two schools. Colorado State leads the series 17-6-1.
LAST MEETING: Colorado State won 37-17 in Fort Collins in the last matchup in 2019.
WEBSITES: CSURams.com, the official Colorado State athletics website | UNLVRebels.com, the official UNLV athletics website
GAME NOTES (PDF): Colorado State | UNLV
ODDS: UNLV -7.5
OVER/UNDER: 61.5
SP+ PROJECTION: UNLV by 8.9
FEI PROJECTION: UNLV by 8.1
PARKER FLEMING PROJECTION: UNLV 71.13% win probability (41.86 to 33.51)
Colorado State heads to Las Vegas, Nevada to face the UNLV Rebels. CSU is coming off a last second, walk off, hail mary win over Boise State for their first ever victory over the Broncos.
UNLV is led by Barry Odom in his first season in charge. Jayden Maiava has taken over the starting QB role for the Rebels. UNLV has a trio of running backs over 250 yards led by true freshman Jai’Den Thomas. Ricky White is the Rebels leading receiver. The UNLV defense is led by LB Jackson Woodard and DB Jerrae Williams.
the biggest game is the next game…
𝟐𝟒 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬.#Stawart x #RamGrit 🐏 pic.twitter.com/0ik5JUrLMI— Colorado State Football (@CSUFootball) October 20, 2023
Now onto some keys to victory for the Rams.
Three Keys to a colorado state victory
1. Open the Playbook Early
The Rams were horrendous against Boise State in the first half before finally opening up the playbook in the second half. They were taking what the Broncos were giving them at first, but it wasn’t working. This Rams team has made good second half adjustments, but against the Rebels they have to start fast and finish strong.
Action Network’s Brett McMurphy reported that CSU players were “drawing plays in the dirt.” Whether it’s stuff the players come up with or stuff the staff can game plan, the Rams have to go full throttle from the beginning in order to get to a bowl game for the first time since 2017.
2. Complete 60 minute game
This Colorado State squad has not played a full 60 minute game all year. From the egg laid against Wazzu, to the last second meltdown against CU, to the hail mary against Boise State. Every single game, the Rams have had a lull period and it has to stop here.
The Rams have a chance to make a statement and they need to do so here. Everybody on both sides of the ball needs to step up and do their job. No freelancing, everyone trusts the guy next to them to do their job, and you forget let down plays quickly and move on.
3. Defense needs to step up
The Rams are bottom five in yards allowed per game. They are bottom 15 in points allowed per game. They are tied for 10th in total sacks. And they are tied for 4th in turnovers forced. Those stats shouldn’t go together. And it’s part of the reason CSU is where they are currently.
This team has talent. Mohamed Kamara and Jack Howell namely, but they’ve also gotten contributions all over the field. Now, they need to put it together; especially against one of the more balanced offenses they will face all years. If the Rams aren’t careful, the Rebels could run all over the defense.
what will happen
It’s going to be a shootout in Las Vegas this weekend. The Rams can’t stop anybody and the Rebels can’t stop anybody through the air. It’s a points banaza waiting to happen. Since you’re in Vegas, go ahead and take the over since I can’t see it not hitting.
Final Score: Colorado State 42, UNLV 38
