BYU is 2-0 and ranked No. 11 in the nation. The Cougars travel to Fort Collins, Colorado to take on an old nemesis in the Colorado State Rams. The Rams are also undefeated after lopsided victories against Wyoming 35-13 and Southern Utah 58-24.
Yes, this is a Group of Six game for BYU as they take on a new Pac-12 member in CSU, but this game won't be a walk in the park.
The Rams will not be a submissive sacrificial lamb in their home stadium in front of their home fans with the opportunity to pull off perhaps the biggest win in program history. For old school fans like me this game makes us at least a little bit nervous given the history of these schools going back to the WAC and Mountain West days. Sure, the Cougars are on a seven-game winning streak against the Rams, but these two teams haven't squared off since 2010.
For those of us with some grey hair, Colorado State feels like more than just an average Group of Six game, though not quite a rivalry. On the road, this game could be tougher than many of us would like.
Prediction for BYU's offense
Look for Aaron Roderick's offense to pound the running game.
And then pound it some more. And then some more.
In Colorado State's win over Wyoming to begin the season, the Cowboys had zero passing game. I mean, zero. Quarterback Tyler Hughes went 12-of-19 for 130 yards and three interceptions. Despite the lack of a passing attack, Wyoming still ran the ball 34 times for 143 yards with one touchdown, averaging 4.2 yards per carry. This included quarterback Hughes carrying the ball 11 times for 52 yards and a score.
And Southern Utah moved the ball at will on the ground against Colorado State's defense. The Thunderbirds ran 39 times for 206 yards and two scores. Running back Floyd Chalk had 17 carries for 144 yards and two scores with a long of 58 yards.
Imagine what LJ Martin might do with 15-20 carries.
Prediction for BYU's defense
Unfortunately, I'm afraid BYU's defense might start slowly for the second game in a row.
Against Arizona, defensive coordinator Kelly Poppinga played a safe, somewhat hesitant defense. BYU often rushed three and dropped eight into a soft zone that gave quarterback Noah Fifita ample time to either wait for a receiver to get open, or to simply tuck the ball and run.
CSU quarterback Hauss Hejny can tuck the ball and run.
In 2024 he played for TCU and while he didn't attempt any passes, he had 15 carries for 65 yards. Last year with Oklahoma State he attempted 10 passes with four more carries. This year with the Rams he's something of a dual-threat quarterback having thrown for 539 yards and nine touchdowns, but also logging 12 carries for 124 yards and a score.
If Kelly Poppinga deploys another timid "bend but don't break" gameplan in the first half, it wouldn't be surprising to see Colorado State put together some prolonged drive and score some points thanks to Hejny's legs.
But last week, Poppinga made some impressive defensive adjustments, brought pressure, and shut out Arizona. Here's to hoping he comes out against the Rams with a similarly aggressive mindset and gameplan, and if he does the Cougars will coast to a victory.
But with this being a road game against an old-school foe that features a mobile quarterback, this game is going to be closer than BYU fans are expecting.
Score prediction: BYU 34, CSU 20
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