Deion Sanders and No. 18 Colorado host another rival in Colorado State
Colorado center Van Wells, right, celebrates with quarterback Shedeur Sanders after a touchdown in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Nebraska Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Boulder, Colo. Credit: AP/David Zalubowski
Colorado State (0-1, 0-0 Mountain West) at No. 18 Colorado, Saturday, 10 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Line: Colorado by 22 1/2, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
Series record: Colorado leads 67-22-2.
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
For the second straight week, Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes will host a longtime rival. After dispatching Nebraska 36-14 last weekend at sold out Folsom Field, the Buffaloes host the Rams in the Rocky Mountain Showdown. It's another sellout, too. Boulder is the place to be in college football, with both ESPN’s College GameDay and Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” showing up on campus for the contest. This particular stat bodes well for Colorado State: The last six times where either the Buffaloes or Rams were ranked, the team in the polls has lost each game. Shedeur Sanders has worked his way to the top of the Heisman list with back-to-back big games. He’s completed 69 of 89 passes for 903 yards and six touchdowns in wins over TCU and the Cornhuskers. The Rams were off last weekend after opening the season at home with a 50-24 loss to Washington State. Rams coach Jay Norvell is making a change at quarterback, going with Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi over Clay Millen.
KEY MATCHUP
Finding a way to contain Shedeur Sanders and the high-flying Colorado offense. He has four wideouts with more than 100 yards receiving this season. Jimmy Horn Jr. leads the way in catches (19) and Xavier Weaver in yards (288). Rams cornerbacks Chigozie Anusiem, Dom Jones, Ron Hardge III and TJ Crandall will try to contain Colorado's speed.
Colorado wide receiver Tar'Varish Dawson, left, is congratulated by wide receiver Xavier Weaver after scoring a touchdown in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Nebraska Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Boulder, Colo. Credit: AP/David Zalubowski
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Colorado State: Receiver Justus Ross-Simmons, who had five catches for 123 yards against Washington State. That included a 75-yard TD reception. He started the last 10 games in 2022 as a true freshman.
Colorado: Left tackle Gerad Christian-Lichtenhan, the offensive lineman of the week for the Pac-12. Christian-Lichtenhan was credited for allowing only one pressure on Sanders.
FACTS & FIGURES
Colorado wide receiver Tar'Varish Dawson, left, is congratulated by wide receiver Xavier Weaver after scoring a touchdown in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Nebraska Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Boulder, Colo. Credit: AP/David Zalubowski
The Buffaloes and Rams last played on Aug. 30, 2019, at Empower Field, which is the home of the Denver Broncos. Colorado won 52-31 behind a two-touchdown game from Steven Montez. ... The Buffaloes have won five straight in the series. The last Rams win was 31-17 on Aug. 29, 2014. ... The Rams will make their first trip to Folsom Field since 2009, where they won 23-17. ... The Rams have lost 23 straight games against AP Top 25 teams. Their last road win over a ranked team was in 1998 when they beat No. 23 Michigan State 23-16 in East Lansing. ... Colorado is 18-10 against Mountain West teams since 2000.
