OK, it may be a long shot, but the Colorado State Rams can still make their sixth-straight bowl game at the end of this season.
Mike Bobo started off this season saying he was going to be a more positive coach, trying to see things in the positive light and in that vein, we bring Rams fans a little hope going forward.
As it currently stands, the Rams are 3-5 on the year, coming off a blowout, 56-28 loss at the hands of the Boise State Broncos. That leaves four games remaining on the schedule and Bobo’s Rams would have to win 3-4 to become bowl-eligible.
Yes, at times, the defense for Colorado State has been absolutely awful. Although, it seemed they cured what ailed them in the back-to-back wins over San Jose State and New Mexico; the run defense was stout and they racked up 9.0 sacks with 17.0 tackles for a loss.
They, again, took their lumps against the Broncos, who were clearly a more talented, experienced and better-coached team. But, if the Rams can put that game in the rear view mirror, and focus on the next four games, it’s possible they still make a bowl game.
Here’s how:
Week 9, Border War: This week, the Rams play their second straight game under the Friday night lights, the first-ever Friday game at Canvas Stadium. And, it’s against the rival Wyoming Cowboys. Two positives working in CSU’s favor outside of it being a rivalry game; the Cowboys are a mere 2-6 on the season and 0-4 in conference, and it’s a home game for the Rams.
Wyoming’s struggled mightily this season and part of that has to do with their terrible offensive production. The Cowboys’ 15.5 points per game are ranked 129th out of 130 DI teams; Colorado State has to feel good about putting 16 points on the board. Like his predecessor, Josh Allen, quarterback Tyler Vander Waal doesn’t complete a high percentage of his passes, a mere 50 percent in fact. However, the Cowboys lean on their capable running game, and the Rams will have to return to that stout run-stopping to give themselves a chance.
Week 11, at Nevada: After the Border War, Colorado State has their second bye week of the season. That could be a major plus considering it’s so late in the year, getting the guys out of the funk of practicing and beating up their bodies up every day. And, the last time the Rams had a bye week, they bounced back with two straight wins.
Nevada is good, but not great, at 4-4 on the season, giving CSU a chance to steal a road game. However, they are a much more talented team all-around than Wyoming, putting up 32.6 points per game. The Rams, if they want to win, will likely have to do it in shootout fashion. That could be difficult given Wolfpack leading rusher Toa Taua averages 6.3 yards per carry and has five rushing scores on the season, among their many other talented play-makers.
One more positive note: CSU is 10-7 on the road all-time under Mike Bobo.
Week 12, vs. Utah State: Of the four remaining games, this one is the least likely for Colorado State to win. The Aggies are probably the best team in the Mountain West Conference this year, although San Diego State and Fresno State are also each 6-1, 3-0 MW.
What makes the Aggies so impressive is their scoring offense. At 47.7 points per game, they’re fourth-best at scoring the football in all of DI football. Quarterback Jordan Love is incredibly efficient, completing 64 percent of his passes with 14 touchdowns compared to only four interceptions on the season. His star running back Darwin Thompson is electric, with 535 yards and nine scores this season.
Utah State’s defense isn’t deadly this year, however, it’s still quite good. This would have to be another shootout for the Rams to win, and we know the CSU offense is capable of putting up big-time points. Preston Williams has proven himself a dynamite receiver, with 825 yards and 8 touchdowns on the season.
Week 13, at Air Force: In the season finale, Colorado State not only has to play on a short week again — this time on Thanksgiving — but on the road, at Air Force. The Falcons, though, aren’t great this year either, at 3-4, 1-3 MW at this point.
Like always, Air Force relies heavily on the run game in that option they use, and the Rams will have to be disciplined in their assignments to slow it down. If a bowl game is at stake, odds are the team will have focused in all week. As Jamal Hicks said recently, he believes the defensive culture changed after the Rams loss to Illinois State, during the bye week, as everyone started practicing harder and studying more.
“The culture’s changing, the culture’s going in the right direction and I just believe in my guys 100 percent,” Hicks said on Oct. 12.
The road to a bowl game is certainly tough, but it’s not impossible for Colorado State, and there is a precedent. Remember, in 2015 and Bobo’s first year, the Rams were 2-6 but ran off four straight wins to become bowl-eligible. And in 2016, they won 4-5 games to end the season 6-6 as well.
It all starts this week with the Border War, where Mike Bobo’s Rams are currently 1-2 during his tenure.