FORT COLLINS — For Colorado State, Saturday is definitely the first dividing line of fall camp.
The Rams will move to Hughes Stadium to scrimmage for the first time, and head coach Mike Bobo said the results will be very telling about which players the team starts moving forward with on the two-deep position chart, who needs a bit more of a look and who has looked better in practice than in a game situation.
“We’re trying to identify who we’re going to work with,” Bobo said after Friday’s first practice. “We’re looking for guys who can obviously execute the plan, guys that can make plays too. It might be a guy who maybe doesn’t have everything right, but we got in a scrimmage setting and he just made tackle after tackle after tackle on defense; he just kept showing up. If it’s a guy like that, it will tell us we have to get this guy ready.
“Or if it’s a guy who we feel really good about and he’s not performing in a scrimmage setting, then we’ve got to re-evaluate where we’re at. So, trying to figure out basically the two-deep and how we go into the next scrimmage.”
In some areas, setting the two-deep is hard because of the talent at the position, with Bobo mentioning tight end and wide receiver in particular. Then there are the spots such as cornerback, where identifying playmakers is crucial. The group has improved since spring, but he wants to see it backed up in the scrimmage.
It’s also possible he names a starter at quarterback after watching tape of the scrimmage. Sophomore Nick Stevens and redshirt freshmen Coleman Key have topped the depth chart in the race to replace Garrett Grayson, but it has been Stevens who has taken most of the reps with the first-team offense.
Stevens not only wants to show he can push the offense at the tempo Bobo wants, but also that he has taken the necessary steps toward improving his individual flaws.
“I think I need to show the coaches I’ve been working all summer and fall on my footwork and timing and stuff like that,” Stevens said. “Making the right decisions, keeping the ball safe, not turning the ball over at all — just kind of lead the team that’s on the field and move them down the field.”
Stevens noted the offense hasn’t had as many opportunities early in camp to move the ball against the defense, and the offense is looking forward to that chance. Naturally, the defense has goals of its own in that regard.
“We want to show just how hungry our defense is,” linebacker Kevin Davis said. “At the same time, we need to play controlled, get to the ball and really do our assignments. That’s probably the big thing: assignments and just getting to the ball.”
Bobo noted safety Trent Matthews is dinged up and might not play in the scrimmage, and neither will tight end Kivon Cartwright as he works back from an ankle injury. Rashard Higgins, who is dealing with a groin issue, might also be held out.
