It was a difficult weekend for college football teams around the state. Colorado State University lost by 15 at the hands of Utah State University, the cadets of the Air Force Academy lost handily to Navy, and the Buffaloes of Colorado fell short against an ailing University of Oregon program. Here’s a quick look back at each game.
CSU @ Utah State
As in weeks past, turnovers tanked Colorado State against a typically-solid Utah State squad. The Rams coughed it up three times in all—twice within the Aggie’s 25 yard line, and once deep within their own territory. Utah State quarterback Kent Myers ran rough-shod, totaling 191 yards on the ground and 137 through the air and two touchdowns.
It doesn’t get any easier for this Ram team either. Boise State is riding a 55-0 decimation of Hawaii into a Saturday showdown with the Rams in Fort Collins. The AP Top-25 Poll has the Broncos in their 25th slot.
There are some positives. Boise State doesn’t utilize the same read-option attack that gave the Rams fits against Utah State. CSU quarterback Nick Stevens also appears to be settling into his role. He’s no Garrett Grayson, but then again who is?
QB Nick Stevens leads the Mountain West for TD passes (10; 15th in NCAA) and passing yards (1,129; 33rd) pic.twitter.com/aWJadDS41U
— Colorado State Football (@CSUFootball) October 4, 2015
CSU has turned the ball over 14 times through five games. Though it may seem strange, that could be something to take comfort in. If the Rams cut down and some self-inflicted woinding, they certainly increase their chances of winning.
Air Force @ Navy
Navy was never in any danger of losing to the Falcons. At one point, the undefeated Midshipmen led 27-0. Air Force finally got on the board with a little over four minutes left in the third quarter.
There’s no reason to be too down on the Falcons. Navy employs the triple-option offense, which spells trouble for any team because of its uniqueness. Air Force also fought admirably in their only other loss of the season this year against now-No. 4 Michigan State in East Lansing, falling by a score of 35-21.
Tough loss today, but now we shift our focus to next Saturday's game against Wyoming. pic.twitter.com/I2ywmpjqn7
— Air Force Football (@AF_Football) October 3, 2015
This weekend’s matchup with the University of Wyoming Cowboys is just what the doctor ordered. Wyoming is struggling to say the least, with a goose egg in the win column for the 2015 season. The Cowboys are riding an 8-game losing streak dating back to Nov. 7, 2014.
Oregon @ Colorado
Tied at half, the Oregon Ducks eventually looked like the Ducks of old, getting two quick scores to open the third quarter, which proved to be too big an obstacle for the Colorado Buffaloes to overcome.
That's the ball game. Buffs fight tough, fall short in the second half. Final Oregon 41, Colorado 24. #GoBuffs #UOvsCU
— Colorado Buffaloes Football (@CUBuffsFootball) October 4, 2015
When these teams have met in the past, Oregon usually has a comfortable lead by half. And so it begs the question: Is CU getting better, or is Oregon just in flux since losing Heisman-winning quarterback Marcus Mariota?
Oregon coach Mark Helfrich observed a noticeable improvement, noting a difference in physicality on both offense and defense for the Buffs. But it remains to be seen whether or not this team has progressed enough to beat an Arizona State team that went into the Rose Bowl and the upset seventh-ranked UCLA Bruins.
The Buffs haven’t appeared in a bowl game since 2007, and the road to seven wins is perilous. UCLA, USC, Stanford and Utah still await the Buffs.
Calvin Jouard is an intern at Mile High Sports and student at the University of Denver