FORT COLLINS — The Colorado State Rams have one regular-season game remaining — against Air Force at Falcon Stadium on Friday afternoon. That’s definite. Otherwise, there still are many “ifs” in play for the 10-1 Rams involving bowl slots, rankings and more.
Most important: If the Rams beat the Falcons and Utah State wins at Boise State on Saturday night, CSU will advance to the Mountain West championship game as the Mountain Division’s representative. That game would be played at Hughes Stadium at 8 p.m. on Dec. 6.
“If we go out there and get a win, we’re just hoping at that point for Boise to lose,” said quarterback Garrett Grayson. “We’ll be able to relax this weekend and kind of get our feet under us and if we do get to play in the Mountain West championship game, that gets us an extra day to prepare.”
If …
There will be no tension-filled, 31-hour wait for the Rams, though, if they don’t handle Air Force, which — despite a disappointing 30-14 loss at San Diego State last week — has had a rebound season under Troy Calhoun in 2014.
The Falcons, 2-10 in 2013, are 8-3 and undefeated at home but also face possibly playing without quarterback Kale Pearson, shaken up in the final minutes at San Diego.
It’s also safe to assume that Colorado State coach Jim McElwain has reminded the Rams that Boise State’s only league loss came Sept. 27, when the Falcons dominated the Broncos and won 28-14.
“There’s a reason these guys beat Boise,” McElwain said. “They’re a good football team.”
With or without Pearson, the Falcons’ option-oriented approach will be presenting a similar challenge to what the Rams faced, at least in theory, in the 58-20 rout of struggling New Mexico last week.
In the wake of that game, McElwain praised the work of his defensive line.
“We are doing some different things front-wise because of the different schemes that they do,” said McElwain. “It’ll be a little different against Air Force. … However, keeping guys off those linebackers is huge.”
Junior defensive tackle Terry Jackson said of playing against the option: “We need to keep the offensive guys on their side of the ball. I look at it as the same (as against New Mexico). If you’re worrying about all the different things, like the cut blocks, you’re not going to be prepared. We plan to go out and dominate the line of scrimmage.”
Senior nose tackle LaRyan King said that even more so against the Falcons, his task is to help plug the “A” gaps — on each side of the center.
“You have to stay on the block,” King said. “Don’t get off too quick. When he tries to release, stab him, stay on him.”
CSU will be coming off posting a school-record 698 yards of total offense against New Mexico, with Grayson throwing for 398 and Dee Hart rushing for 230. That enabled the Rams to get their average total offense up to a staggering 500.5 yards, and the symmetry here is that the Falcons have given up an average of exactly 500 yards in their past two games.
Terry Frei: tfrei@denverpost.com or
CSU at Air Force 1:30 p.m. Friday, CBSSN
When the Rams run
Running back Treyous Jarrells, the other half of a 1-2 punch for most of the season, isn’t expected to be able to play for the Rams, so Dee Hart again will get most of the work. Hart has been up to it, rushing for 150 yards per game over the past three weeks. The Falcons have done a decent job against the run, though, allowing 143 yards per game, 39th best in the country.
Edge: Colorado State
When the Falcons run
The situation changes considerably if quarterback Kale Pearson is out, since he’s rushed for 646 yards in the option-oriented attack. Nate Romine would step in. Edge: Air Force
When the Rams pass
Garrett Grayson threw for 395 yards and three touchdowns in a 58-13 home-field rout of the Falcons a year ago, when CSU led 51-0 after three quarters. CSU’s offense is in high gear, and the Falcons have allowed 246 yards per game through the air. Edge: Colorado State
When the Falcons pass
Forced into action because of injuries in 2013, Romine — then a freshman — was 44-of-81 for 603 yards. But he’s only thrown 15 passes this season as Pearson remained on the field and did considerable damage through the air. The Falcons need to throw enough, and capably enough, to make CSU’s defensive backs conscious of the threat. Edge: Colorado State
Special teams
A kicking-game aside: Jim McElwain slipped up this week and actually referred to a kicker — in this case, punter Hayden Hunt, usually known as “Punt Guy” — by his name. CSU’s Jared Roberts (10-for-16) and Air Force’s Will Conant (16-for-18) both have hit clutch kicks, but Roberts has slightly more range. Edge: Even
