FORT COLLINS — Trap game? Are you kidding?
“Right now, we aren’t good enough to be trapped by anybody,” Colorado State coach Jim McElwain said this week before laughing and asking, “You know what I mean?”
That has been a McElwain theme all season, even as the Rams have won seven games in a row to take an 8-1 record into Saturday’s 5 p.m. home game against struggling Hawaii.
McElwain isn’t belittling his team or what it has accomplished. It’s more a belief that the Rams’ heads can’t get too big for their helmets — even against the Rainbow Warriors, who are 2-7 and an 18-point underdog. Hawaii is coached by offensive mastermind Norm Chow and will be making its second trip of the season to Colorado after losing 21-12 to CU in Boulder on Sept. 20. That was the third of the Rainbow Warriors’ three losses to Pac-12 opponents, following defeats at home to Washington (17-16) and Oregon State (38-30).
“This is one of those teams that’s in every darned ballgame,” McElwain said. “I know how well prepared Norm is, and I obviously have the ultimate respect for how hard their guys play and continue to play through every game. We certainly haven’t arrived by any stretch of the imagination. … Look, we aren’t good enough to just show up and beat anybody.”
At 4-1 in the Mountain West, the Rams are tied with Utah State — a 20-3 winner Friday over Wyoming — for the lead in the Mountain Division.
Boise State (3-1) is a half-game out. Boise State plays Utah State on Nov. 29, so there is no chance of a three-way tie for the title with one loss.
The Rams beat Utah State 16-13 on Oct. 18 and would win that tiebreaker to play in the Mountain West championship game. The Rams lose the tiebreaker with Boise State.
Practices were closed Thursday and Friday, and neither McElwain nor players were made available, but McElwain said on his Thursday night radio show that he was encouraged by the progress sophomore wide receiver Rashard Higgins, who suffered a shoulder injury at San Jose State, had made during the week. McElwain had pronounced him “doubtful” for Saturday’s game earlier in the week, but Higgins was in pads and began participating on a limited basis at Wednesday’s practice, when McElwain termed him “questionable.”
If Higgins can’t play?
“Everyone has seen what kind of player he is, and you can’t just replace that kind of player,” quarterback Garrett Grayson said. “If he’s not playing, we won’t be hurting, but it’s going to be something we’re missing. If he’s not, we’re so stacked across the board at receiver, it’s all about somebody just stepping up and making plays.”
Grayson noted that veteran wide receivers Joe Hansley and Charles Lovett have made big plays and are capable of helping compensate for the loss of Higgins — if it comes to that.
Footnotes. CSU is expecting a crowd in the mid- to high-20,000 range and probably not a third consecutive sellout. … After Saturday, the Rams have their second bye week of the season before their final home game, against New Mexico on Nov. 22.
Terry Frei: tfrei@denverpost.com or
When the Rams run
Running backs have posted five consecutive 100-yard rushing games against the Rainbow Warriors, who gave up an average of 271 yards rushing per game the past three weeks. With quarterback Garrett Grayson banged up, the Rams would love to take control of this game on the ground. Look for another big game from Dee Hart.
Edge: Colorado State
When the Rainbow Warriors run
Hawaii’s best ball carrier, 245-pound tailback Joey Iosefa, missed the past seven games — four because of an injury, three because of a suspension. But he’s back for this game. Junior left tackle Ben Clarke, from Chatfield High School in Littleton, has started all 33 games in his career for the Rainbow Warriors. Other than the Boise State game, the Rams have done a decent job against the run. Edge: Colorado State
When the Rams pass
Star sophomore receiver Rashard Higgins might miss this game because of a shoulder injury suffered last weekend at San Jose State. Grayson has broken the CSU career passing yardage record of the man who will be the analyst on the ESPNU telecast — Kelly Stouffer. The Rainbow Warriors, under defensive coordinator Kevin Clune, formerly Utah State’s linebackers coach, play that Aggies-style, aggressive, chance-taking defense. Edge: Colorado State.
When the Rainbow Warriors pass
Sophomore quarterback Ikaika Woolsey threw for 356 yards against a tough Utah State defense last weekend. But he has completed only 51 percent of his passes, for 1,716 yards in nine games. His top receiver is junior Quinton Pedroza, a transfer from Utah who has 50 catches for 562 yards and two touchdowns. Edge: Hawaii
Special teams
Scott Harding is Hawaii’s punter (averaging 41.9 yards) and punt returner (9.3 yards). He also starts at wide receiver. Kicker Tyler Hadden is 13-of-17 on field goals, but his long is only 41 yards. CSU’s Jared Roberts has made three of more than 50 yards. Punter Hayden Hunt is averaging 45 yards. Edge: Colorado State
Terry Frei, The Denver Post
