The last month of the Colorado State Rams’ 2017 season is going to be a fun one.
Along with a brand-new, on-campus stadium, the 2017 also brought along sky-high expectations for head coach Mike Bobo’s team.
Through eight games, the Rams have lived up to the hype. With an unblemished 4-0 conference record and a 6-2 record overall, the Rams share a seat atop the Mountain West with the Boise State Broncos.
A conference championship is what Colorado State s gunning for, and the next challenge in the way of their goal is an Air Force Falcons team that always seems to give the Rams some headaches, and a team that Bobo has a great deal of respect for.
“I know Coach (Troy) Calhoun will probably say that we have the most talent but the proof is in the pudding year after year,” Bobo said of the Falcons on Monday. “They are a consistent winner. Their guys play extremely hard. They know what they’re doing on both sides of the ball. They execute at a high level.”
The Falcons will come into Fort Collins with an overall record of 3-4, but are currently on a two game win streak. Don’t be fooled by their record. Bobo knows that the Falcons can, and have, hung with every team they’ve played thus far.
“They caused us extreme problems last year. They’ve caused everybody problems that they’ve played this year,” Bobo said. “A team that won 10 games last year, that’s in every ball game that they play. They know how to play. They’re tough. They’re scrappy. They’re disciplined.”
Conference games always bring a little extra energy and excitement, but Saturday’s game also gives the Rams an opportunity to place the Ram-Falcon Trophy in their brand new trophy case. Fortunately for the Rams, the home team has taken home the trophy over the last five matchups.
According to Bobo, there is no reason for the energy to not be there on Saturday afternoon.
“There’s going to be a lot of other energy that’s going to help us get ready for this week,” Bobo said. “There ought to be more energy in this week’s practice because you’re playing Air Force, a school in state. There ought to be more energy in this practice because you’ve got a chance to go 5-0 in conference.”
The energy should be there. The Rams have plenty of reason to be excited. With a shot at a conference title still in play and bowl eligibility already under their belt, it’s hard for the Rams and Ram fans to not be excited about Saturday, but there is still plenty of work to be done and Bobo knows it’s not going to be easy.
“It’s going to be a dog fight this week, and we’re going to have to play one of our best games to win this ball game.”
