The year 2017 continues to loom large in the conversation surrounding the Colorado State football team.
In the current 2024 season, the Rams are eager to reclaim aspects of success that have eluded them since 2017, the last year CSU experienced a notable competitive edge in college football.
This week presents a critical opportunity for CSU to turn back the clock.
A victory this Saturday against Nevada would:
- Secure bowl eligibility for the Rams
- Extend CSU’s winning streak to four games
- Elevate CSU’s conference record to four wins
All these achievements would mark significant milestones not accomplished since, you guessed it, 2017.
However, clinching a win is poised to be a formidable challenge against a resilient Nevada team (6 p.m. MT Saturday, CBS Sports Net).
Test Nevada’s will
Nevada (3-6, 0-3 Mountain West) began their season with a near-upset against SMU, a team now ranked No. 20 in the nation. This set the stage for a competitive year.
First-year head coach Jeff Choate galvanized his team, fostering a sense of belief and purpose. Just three weeks ago, the Wolf Pack celebrated an impressive victory over Oregon State—whom CSU lost to in a grueling double-overtime match.
However, momentum has since faltered. Two weeks ago, Nevada held a lead against Fresno State only to be blanked in the second half, and last week, the Wolf Pack suffered a disheartening 34-13 defeat against Hawaii.
Choate voiced concerns regarding certain players prioritizing personal agendas over team values. “Some of them won’t be here if they can’t change their behavior,” he said, according to Nevada SportsNet.
As the season progresses, Nevada’s likelihood of postseason play is dimming. CSU must harness the pressure on the Wolf Pack to see how they respond.
Third down battles
The records can be misleading in this matchup. Comparing critical statistics reveals challenges ahead:
- Points per game: 21.75 for CSU/25 for Nevada
- Points allowed: 24.5 for CSU/27.56 for Nevada
- Total defensive yards allowed per game: 404.13 for CSU/392.44 for Nevada
- Total offensive yards per game: 368.75 for CSU/378.67 for Nevada
Both teams have largely engaged in tightly contested games, though Nevada has tasted defeat more frequently.
Nevada stands fourth nationally in converting 53% of its third downs, whereas CSU lags behind at 94th, converting only 38%. Sustaining drives by succeeding in third-down situations will be vital.
The Brendon Lewis problem
CSU faces a familiar dilemma akin to last week’s preparation against New Mexico’s dynamic dual-threat quarterback, Devon Dampier. The Rams managed to force three turnovers, which proved pivotal in their victory.
Nevada QB Brendon Lewis, while not identical to Dampier, poses his own challenges. Known for both his quarterback running game and passing efficiency, Lewis boasts a 67% completion rate, with ten touchdown passes and five interceptions—two occurring during desperate end-of-half attempts.
After missing last week’s matchup due to injury, Lewis is slated to return against CSU. The Rams will need to contain his ability to escape the pocket and force Nevada to rely more heavily on the passing game.
What’s the betting line for Colorado State vs Nevada?
Colorado State enters the game as a 2.5-point favorite, according to BetMGM. The Rams initially opened as a 1.5-point favorite.
Colorado State vs Nevada prediction for college football Week 10
Although CSU has flirted with danger by securing narrow victories, the team is gaining momentum with a new, tough identity.
Despite struggles with injuries and the challenges of transitioning between coaches, Nevada’s Choate will have his squad ready. However, CSU’s robust rushing strategy, particularly with former Nevada back Avery Morrow likely to be motivated, should give the Rams an edge.
A standout performance from Morrow, exceeding 100 yards, coupled with one or two crucial passing plays, should propel the Rams to a tightly contested victory.
CSU 24, Nevada 20.
Follow sports reporter Kevin Lytle on X and Instagram @Kevin_Lytle.
**Interview with Football Analyst Alex Thompson on Colorado State Rams vs. Nevada Wolf Pack**
**Interviewer:** Welcome, Alex! Thanks for joining us. There’s a lot of buzz around Colorado State heading into this weekend’s critical matchup against Nevada. The Rams are aiming for their first bowl eligibility since 2017. What’s the significance of this game for CSU?
**Alex Thompson:** Absolutely, it’s a pivotal moment for the Rams. Achieving bowl eligibility would not only mark a significant turnaround from previous seasons but also provide a huge boost in recruiting and team morale. They haven’t experienced that level of success since 2017, so there’s a lot riding on this game.
**Interviewer:** It sounds like the past weighs heavily on them. What are the specific hurdles they face against Nevada this Saturday?
**Alex Thompson:** One major obstacle is Nevada’s third-down efficiency. They’re ranked fourth nationally in converting 53% of their third downs, compared to CSU’s struggling 38%. If the Rams want to maintain possession and control the pace of the game, they must find a way to improve their third-down conversion rate. That will be crucial.
**Interviewer:** Speaking of Nevada, their head coach Jeff Choate has expressed concerns over team dynamics. How might this affect the Wolf Pack’s performance?
**Alex Thompson:** Choate’s comments highlight potential internal conflicts, which can certainly affect team performance. If players are focused on personal agendas rather than team goals, it can lead to disarray on the field. However, they’ve also shown resilience with a strong performance early in the season, so it’ll be interesting to see how they respond under pressure.
**Interviewer:** Last season’s matchup saw CSU defeat Nevada 30-20. Can history play a role in this game?
**Alex Thompson:** Definitely. Previous victories can provide a mental edge, boosting confidence for CSU. However, Nevada’s recent experiences against upper-tier teams like Oregon State could serve as motivation. They need to harness that energy, and if they can smooth out their issues, they have the tools to compete.
**Interviewer:** And what should fans keep an eye out for during this matchup?
**Alex Thompson:** Watch for QB Brendon Lewis of Nevada. He can challenge CSU’s defense with both his arm and legs. If the Rams can contain him and force turnovers like they did last week, they should have a good shot at winning. It’s going to come down to which team can better handle the pressure and seize opportunities.
**Interviewer:** Thanks, Alex. A lot is at stake this Saturday and it should be an exciting matchup!
**Alex Thompson:** My pleasure! It’s certainly going to be one to watch!
