Colorado
Colorado State
Buffs Vs. Rams: What You Need To Know
September 16, 2023 | Football, Neill Woelk
NO. 18 COLORADO BUFFALOES (2-0)
vs. COLORADO STATEÂ (0-1)
 BOULDER — What has been known over the years as the Rocky Mountain Showdown, a rivalry game between Colorado and Colorado State, this year has become a story about … hats and sunglasses?
Never mind.
When the two programs finally kick it off Saturday at Folsom Field (8:15 p.m., ESPN) the storyline will return to football.
 The headliner will be the Buffaloes. Deion "Coach Prime" Sanders' 18th-ranked squad has taken the college football world by storm, with seemingly every pregame show on earth making a stop in Boulder this week to talk about the overnight transformation Sanders and his staff have crafted in Boulder. Colorado has gone from preseason curiosity to legitimate top 25 program in the span of just two weeks, with wins over then-No. 17 TCU and rival Nebraska.
Jay Norvell's CSU Rams, meanwhile, have had two weeks to prepare for the Buffs after absorbing a thumping at the hands of Washington State in the opener.
Oddsmakers say that's not enough time for CSU. Colorado is a solid three-touchdown favorite — just two weeks after opening the season as a three-score underdog against TCU.
In two games, the Buffs have displayed a prolific passing attack, led by quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who leads the nation in passing yards per game (451.5). He has a bevy of receivers from which to choose, with two — Xavier Weaver and Travis Hunter — among the nation's top 25 in receiving yards per game.
But CU's defense has also stepped up with six turnovers in two games and a game-clinching stop against TCU in the opener.
As for CSU, the Rams gave up 556 yards offense (466 in the air) in their opening 50-24 loss. Redshirt freshman QB Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi did come on in relief to throw a pair of late touchdowns for Colorado State, and he will be the starter against the Buffs.Â
Nuts and bolts for the contest:
KICKOFF:Â 8:15 p.m., Folsom Field (50,183).
TV, RADIO: The game will be televised by ESPN with Mark Jones and Louis Riddick in the booth and Quint Kessenich on the sidelines.The radio broadcast will be carried by KHOW (630 AM) with Voice of the Buffs Mark Johnson and Gary Barnett in the booth and Andy Lindahl on the sidelines. KOA's coverage begins at 6 p.m.
ON THE INTERNET: The game can be heard on the internet at CUBuffs.com. Live statistics will also be available at CUBuffs.com.
THE COACHES: Deion "Coach Prime" Sanders has a 2-0 record at Colorado in his first year as CU's head coach after three seasons at Jackson State, where he compiled a 27-6 record. Jay Norvell is in his second year at CSU, where he has compiled a 3-10 record. He also served as the head coach at Nevada and is 36-36 overall as a head coach.
THE SERIES: Colorado owns a healthy 67-22-2 overall edge in the series, including a 31-9-1 mark in Boulder. The Buffs have won five in a row in the series, including a 52-31 victory in their last meeting in 2019.
WHAT'S AT STAKE: A win over the Buffs would likely boost the Buffs' national rankings and plenty of momentum heading into next week's Pac-12 opener at Oregon. A win for the Rams would give CSU a major upset and some much-needed confidence.
TEAM LEADERS: Colorado is led by QB Sanders, who has completed nearly 80 percent of his passes for 903 yards, six touchdowns and no interceptions. The Buffs have three receivers with double-digit catches: Jimmy Horn Jr. (19), Xavier Weaver (16) and Travis Hunter (14).
Defensively, three different Buffs — Hunter, Cam'Ron Silmon-Craig and Trevor Woods — have interceptions while Shilo Sanders leads the team in tackles with 15 .
For CSU, their hopes will roll with QB Fowler-Nicolosi (210 yards, two TDs in the opener) and wide receivers Justus Ross Simmons (5 catches, 123 yards) and Tory Horton (9-81).
Defensively, DB was in on 16 tackles in the opener and CSU did record three sacks.
KEY MATCHUP:Â Colorado offensive line vs. CSU front seven. If the Buffs give Sanders ample time against the Colorado State secondary, he will have ample opportunity to put up more big numbers. But the Buffs would also like to get their run game in gear and this game might give then an opportunity to do just that.Â
UP NEXT:Â The Buffaloes open Pac-12 play next Saturday with a 1:30 p.m. (MT) game at No. 13 Oregon. The game will be televised by ABC.
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