Utah State (4-7, 3-3 Mountain West) at Colorado State (7-4, 5-1)
When/where: 1:30 p.m. Friday/Canvas Stadium
TV/Radio: FS1/99.1 FM
BetMGM Line: CSU -6, 58.5 over/under
Weather: 42 degrees, sunny
Series History: CSU leads 39-38-2, but has lost five straight
Three storylines
Rams’ chance at title game: CSU lost control of its destiny to make the Mountain West championship game with last week’s loss at Fresno State in which a 21-point halftime deficit was too much to overcome. Still, the Rams have a shot to make the title against Boise State with a win over Utah State coupled with a UNLV loss to rival Nevada. Jay Norvell’s old school is 0-6 in conference play, but played Boise State tough in a close defeat on Nov. 9. UNLV is a 17.5-point favorite at home, so CSU needs a massive upset.
CSU’s thin running back room: Avery Morrow, who had been CSU’s bell cow for much of the season, was limited to just two carries against Fresno State due to an MCL sprain in his knee. Jalen Dupree was also sidelined by a back injury and Norvell doesn’t think he’ll be available against Utah State. That leaves only Justin Marshall to carry the rushing load, with a little help from Kobe Johnson. CSU’s run game has been the crux of their path to seven wins this season, so it will be on Marshall’s shoulders to set that tone on Friday.
BFN vs Swiss-cheese D: Utah State ranks next-to-last in the Mountain West with 471.5 total yards allowed per game, including 245.2 yards given up through the air. In a season where Rams QB Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi hasn’t gotten to air it out nearly as much as he did in 2023, Friday presents an opportunity to get back to his gunslinging ways. That means Caleb Goodie could be in for a solid day, with the potential to surpass the 500-yard mark after taking over as BFN’s top target following Tory Horton’s season-ending injury in mid-October.
Predictions
Kyle Newman, sportswriter: CSU 31, Utah State 23
The Rams bounce back from last week’s no-show in Fresno. Justin Marshall has two rushing touchdowns while surpassing 100 yards, and the CSU defense gets a few takeaways to help the Rams pull away. But CSU doesn’t get the assistance it needs elsewhere, as UNLV beats Nevada to cement the Rebels’ spot in the Mountain West championship game. CSU must settle for a regular bowl game.
Sean Keeler, sports columnist: CSU 32, Utah State 23
After a humbling roadie in Fresno, the Rams go back to doing what they’ve done best: Punch early, punch hard, get up big, pound the rock and punt to win. You don’t have to love all the optics, but an ugly 8-4 is still CSU’s first campaign with eight wins in 10 stinking years. And what a long, strange decade it’s been.
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Matt Schubert, sports editor: CSU 24, Utah State 17
The conference championship dream is likely dead, but the Rams are going bowling no matter what. Still, this game feels like one Jay Norvell needs to put an exclamation point on what was supposed to be a turn-the-corner season for his tenure in Fort Collins. Like so many of the Rams’ wins this season, it won’t be pretty. But any CSU fan who isn’t happy with eight wins after their recent run of sub-mediocrity should probably have their head examined.
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