5 THINGS TO WATCH
1
CSU junior running back Kyle Bell vs. CU senior inside linebacker Jordon Dizon
If Bell gets the 30 carries he wants, Dizon might well break his former personal best of 19 tackles. Dizon made those 19 stops last year against Nebraska (tied for the most by a CU player since 1999), yet another indication that, although undersized for his position at 6 feet and 225 pounds, he comes up big in big games. Like a penned-up stallion, Bell has been champing at the bit to get out and run since he tore up a knee days before the 2006 season opener. A load at 6-2 and 232 pounds, Bell wants to get off to a fast start in the hope of bettering his 2005 rushing total of 1,288 yards. No one realizes that more than Dizon.
2
How Cody Hawkins handles the pressure as CU’s starting quarterback
Just a redshirt freshman, the eldest son of CU coach Dan Hawkins has shown no signs of nervousness during fall camp. But practice is one thing and game day is something else. The pressure might be internal (butterflies, squeezing the football, etc.) and external (from CSU’s pass rush). Expect Rams coaches to mix up the coverages early and often. And no doubt they will send a few blitzers his way. But this won’t be the first time Cody Hawkins faces a challenge. He is said to be 59-0 as a starting quarterback dating back to sixth grade.
3
The blocking brigades
The team with the offensive line playing the most minutes wins? That might well be the case. Colorado has redshirt freshmen for its backups. Ouch. And CSU isn’t exactly giddy over its depth along the offensive line. Fans don’t often notice the play of the “big uglies” up front. But expect to hear a buzz from the stands when CU freshman Ryan Miller enters the game. The 6-7, 320-pound redhead was rated the state’s top high school senior last fall while earning Parade All-America honors at Columbine. He was used at guard and tackle during fall camp.
4
How much will Colorado miss those absentees?
To CU coaches and fans, it seemed bad enough that projected starting middle linebacker Michael Sipili and reserve defensive linemen Taj Kaynor and Chris Perri were suspended for offseason fighting incidents. But the offense also took hits. Senior Bernard Jackson, last year’s starting quarterback who was converted to a run-catch hybrid role during the spring, won’t play Saturday. He hasn’t practiced much while attending to academic and family issues. Wide receiver Josh Smith, a true freshman from California with electrifying speed and sure hands, likely would have won a starting position. But he was hospitalized for four days after suffering a bruised kidney during an Aug. 18 scrimmage and has not been cleared to return to practice.
5
Whoever heard of a 10 a.m. kickoff?
Will the college-aged spectators be awake enough to be a factor? More important, how about the bleary-eyed players?
GAME PLAN
WHEN THE RAMS RUN
It will be Kyle Bell, Kyle Bell, Kyle Bell – then repeat that often. Eager to make a splash after missing last season with a torn-up knee, Bell wants to tote the rock 30 times. That’s great, but will he find any holes? CSU’s rebuilt offensive line remains a question mark. Colorado’s starting front four appears to be the strength of the defense. But with Taj Kaynor and Chris Perri serving suspensions, there isn’t much depth if somebody gets banged up or worn down. That could happen when trying to stop a battering Ram like Kyle Bell. Advantage: CSU
WHEN THE BUFFS RUN
One of the X-factors of the game could be Demetrius Sumler, CU’s 5-foot-10, 215-pound redshirt freshman tailback. After an unspectacular spring, the light seemed to come on for the San Diego native. Sumler has the power to go inside and enough moves to make tacklers miss in the open field. If he can gain some yards early, it might give CSU’s defense something to think about and allow starter Hugh Charles to bust a long one with his sprinter’s speed. Trouble is, CSU defenders up front are experienced and stingy. Advantage: Even
WHEN THE RAMS PASS
In last year’s 14-10 Colorado State victory, Rams quarterback Caleb Hanie (20-for-23) looked like he was throwing against air, to use the old coaches’ phrase. Hanie completed his first 14 passes, many coming on low-risk screen plays. Colorado defenders insist they have the screen figured out this time. But there’s no lack of targets for Hanie, a senior who has seen it all. CU had better expect the Rams to utilize senior Kory Sperry to a greater extent, now that the 6-6, 260-pounder has moved from H-back to more conventional tight end duties. Hanie likely will try to pick on junior cornerback Benjamin Burney, who is in his first year as a starter, and stay away from preseason all-Big 12 corner Terrence Wheatley. Advantage: CSU
WHEN THE BUFFS PASS
College coaches say it’s scary when a team must rely on a young quarterback. But there must be some comfort in CU coach Dan Hawkins having his son at the controls. Although Cody Hawkins lacks a cannon arm, he displayed uncanny accuracy during fall camp and he can put enough zip on the ball. The absence of Bernard Jackson (academic issues) and freshman receiver Josh Smith (bruised kidney) robs Colorado of two big threats. Look for the Buffs to move receivers around and take advantage of the depth at tight end. CSU’s pass rush might be the strength of its defense and the safeties are savvy. But the Rams lack a standout at cornerback, and that’s a concern. Advantage: CU
SPECIAL TEAMS
The teams are almost mirror images in this category. Both teams have terrific punters and uncertainties with their place-kickers. Waiting for All-American Mason Crosby to graduate, CU’s fifth-year senior Kevin Eberhart has yet to kick a field goal. He was 0-for-2 as a freshman in 2003. CSU’s Jason Smith is striving for greater consistency after going 8-for-15 on field goals in 2006. Based on last season, CSU might have an edge in the return game with Damon Morton and Johnny Walker. But that was an area of emphasis for CU during fall camp, and the special teams appeared to be much improved. Advantage: Even
BY THE NUMBERS
14 – Number of redshirt freshmen or true freshmen listed in Colorado’s two-deep depth chart.
7 – Colorado State’s losing streak coming into the game.
0 – Combined number of starts at the major-college level for CU’s three available quarterbacks.
1 – CSU starters playing in their first Division I-A game (linebacker Curtis Cornelson, a junior-college transfer).
22 – Total winning margin in the past five meetings (three CU wins, two CSU wins).
2 – Number of combined turnovers by Colorado in its four wins over CSU in Denver.
