Quarterbacks
Edge: Even
CSU: A year older and wiser, Pete Thomas will step onto Sports Authority Field at Mile High a more confident player. He’s been solid, if not spectacular, this season, completing 73 percent of his passes. Turnovers have been an issue, but his coaches insist they are not worried that interceptions will be a problem.
CU: Coaches like to say the most improvement in a team is made from the first game to the second. Senior Tyler Hansen is living proof. After a mediocre effort at Hawaii, Hansen set a school record through the air with 474 yards against California — without an interception or a sack. What can he do for an encore?
Running backs
Edge: CSU
CSU: The lion’s share of the carries will go to senior Raymond Carter and sophomore Chris Nwoke, both of whom have been productive. The duo has combined to run for 251 yards and four touchdowns, averaging 4.8 yards per carry. Expect high-energy back Derek Good (81 yards, 9.0 yards per carry) to grab a few carries as well.
CU: The running game has undoubtedly been the most disappointing aspect of the offense thus far. Senior tailback Rodney Stewart is off to a slow start with 62.5 yards per game and just 2.9 yards per carry. He’s been much more effective catching screen passes (11 catches for 184 yards). Stewart is the only RB to have a carry.
Receivers
Edge: CU
CSU: True freshman Lee Clubb is the team’s leading wide receiver (six catches, 53 yards) but is still improving. Tight end Crockett Gillmore is a star in the making, and the Rams utilize a wide range of pass catchers, including running backs and fullbacks. There is no clear-cut go-to guy, but Thomas has a bevy of decent options.
CU: Through two games, it’s throw to Paul Richardson and watch him sprint. That’s worked well so far, with the sophomore wideout topping the team with 14 catches, four TDs and a whopping 23.8 yards per grab. He’s already reaching star status. No other wide receiver has stepped up, however. The next best has been freshman Tyler McCulloch (four catches), while senior Toney Clemons remains an enigma.
Offensive line
Edge: CSU
CSU: The offensive line is one of the Rams’ greatest strengths. Four starters are back. There is talent, experience and depth along the line. Sophomore center Weston Richburg is a burgeoning national-level star, and senior Paul Madsen is a team captain. Expect at least seven players to rotate on the line to keep everyone fresh. The unit has allowed two sacks in each game this season.
CU: This has already resembled a M*A*S*H unit. Starting left tackle David Bakhtiari sprained a knee against Hawaii and missed the second game against California. His replacement, Ryan Dannewitz, went out with a knee sprain against Cal but returned during the game. The worst news was losing starting right tackle Jack Harris to a lower-leg fracture. Harris’ replacement, Sione Tau, is a fifth-year senior who had never played a down on offense prior to last week.
Defensive line
Edge: Even
CSU: The interior line was a huge question mark coming into the year, but so far it has held up just fine with the leadership of senior Nuku Latu. CSU’s edge rushers have been solid, collecting the majority of the team’s 11 sacks. DE Nordly Capi burst onto the scene in the first game with 3 1/2 sacks and four forced fumbles.
CU: The standouts have been sophomore defensive end Chidera Uzo-Diribe and junior defensive lineman Will Pericak (pronounced Pre-check). Uzo-Diribe, a budding star, already has 2 1/2 sacks, and Pericak has four unassisted tackles and a crucial blocked extra point against Cal. The philosophy of this coaching staff on the D-line is “there is strength in numbers,” with a seven-man rotation trying to keep everybody fresh.
Linebackers
Edge: CU
CSU: The linebacking unit took a big, big hit when it lost senior leader Mychal Sisson for most, if not all, of the season. James Skelton returns to man the middle linebacker spot after serving a one-game suspension. Mike Orakpo has been a stud this year, his sophomore campaign, and leads the team with 18 tackles. No one else on the team is even in double digits.
CU: There was some uncertainty entering the season, with only junior Jon Major returning as a starter. But junior Douglas Rippy leads the team in total tackles (21) and unassisted tackles (15), Derrick Webb has played strong and former defensive end Josh Hartigan (one sack, four QB pressures) seems to be adjusting smoothly to “Jack” linebacker, a hybrid DE-LB position. This unit relies on quickness.
Secondary
Edge: CU
CSU: Outside of a couple of head-scratching moments in the opener against New Mexico, the CSU secondary has been solid. The unit, however, has not faced a test like the one it will get in CU star Paul Richardson.
CU: The safeties, senior Anthony Perkins and junior Ray Polk, are experienced. The cornerbacks are not. Freshman corner Greg Henderson was covering high school receivers a year ago at this time. On the other side, senior Travis Sandersfeld is a converted safety. CU’s secondary is up for a major test — again.
Special teams
Edge: Even
CSU: Place-kicker Ben DeLine got off to a shaky start with two missed field goals against New Mexico but got back on track last week with a 22-yarder. Punter Pete Kontodiakos didn’t punt last week in the blowout win over Northern Colorado. He’s averaging 37.8 yards per kick. Derek Good has been effective on kickoff returns, averaging 29 yards per return.
CU: Thanks to a pair of freshmen, this has been one of the bright spots. Place-kicker Will Oliver hasn’t missed an extra point or a field goal, and with a 52-yarder against Cal he showed more leg strength than expected. Punter Darragh O’Neill is averaging 43.7 yards on nine boots.
