By playing their rivalry on opening night, it’s a good way to either jump-start or limp into the season. Colorado has more at stake as the young Buffs are farther along in the rebuilding mode than the upstart Rams, under first-year coach Steve Fairchild, who took over after Sonny Lubick was fired following 15 seasons in Fort Collins.
Key Matchup
CSU senior TE Cory Sperry vs. the Buffaloes’ retooled linebacking corps. Sperry has at least one TD catch in each of his three games against Colorado. His 19 catches for 174 yards and five TDs represent his most against any opponent.
Players to watch
Colorado State: Sperry had his best game of his college career against the Buffs last year, one week before his season-ending knee injury, catching eight passes for 103 yards and three TDs.
Colorado: QB Cody Hawkins passed for more than 3,000 yards as a freshman last season. He has an improved backfield with highly touted freshman Darrell Scott and a healthy sophomore Josh Smith at wide receiver.
Facts & Figures
The Buffaloes have won four of the last six games against CSU, and all six of the games have been decided by less than a touchdown and by a total of 25 points. … The last time the Rams faced the Buffaloes with Fairchild, who was an assistant on Lubick’s staff, was on Sept. 2, 2000, a 28-24 Rams’ win in the last college game played at Mile High Stadium, which was demolished after that season.
