Utah State is coming off a tough loss to Big Ten power Wisconsin, 16-14 on the road in Madison. They beat rival Utah 27-20 in overtime in week 2. USU has playmakers and are led by QB Chuckie Keeton. Keeton is a dual threat QB, the team’s second leading rusher with 164 yards and 701 yards passing. Chuckie's leadership for a sophomore isn't Child's Play. (Pun Intended). Keeton doesn't have a strong arm so all his big plays are roll outs and passes to crossing receivers. Their rushing attack was supposed to suffer when Michael Smith and Robert Turbin graduated, but senior Kerwynn Williams has been an effective, patient runner. Seniors Matt Austin and Chuck Jacobs are the teams leading WRs. Jacobs is more of the possession type of receiver while Austin is the big play guy. They also use a heavy dose of their tight end Kellen Bartlett.
Colorado State will need to contain Keeton to have any chance of winning. Shaq Barrett and Cory James will need to rush and the Rams also might benefit from having a player spy on Keeton. CSU will also have to wrap up and finish their tackles. There won't be any matadoring these Bulls. Everyone knows that to beat the Rams they have to attack them from the air. If they can put pressure on Keeton and keep him from creating plays by scrambling around they will look good. If not, the Rams secondary will be exposed and it will be high scoring affair for the Aggies.
Utah State's defense is led by LB Zach Vigil, and S McKade Brady. They lead the team in tackles and are all over the field. Bojay Filimoeatu is another linebacker that spends a lot of time in the opposition’s backfield. Overall, they don't have a ton of stand out guys, but are a solid unit that plays their lanes and stays in position. The Rams will want to run the ball and I believe they can. Chris Nwoke is back and Donnell Alexander should see more touches than at San Jose State. The Aggies safeties have a lot of tackles but sometimes a lot of tackles by your secondary means that their coverage skills are suspect, so Grayson will have to do some damage through the air. Cartwright should have a big game, but I'm still waiting for one of the Rams receivers to separate himself from the pack and try to be the guy. Vinson? Greenwood? Lovett? Somebody?
Utah State appears to have the edge here because they have a more explosive offense, but I'm looking for the Rams to make strides and play a complete game against a solid opponent. The winner of this matchup becomes stud in lush green pastures, while the loser is shipped to Greeley to be slaughtered by Conagra. Let's hope it isn't our beloved Rams.
SIDE NOTE:
The Allstate Tailgate Tour will be open from 2:00 p.m. – 5:10 p.m. MT on September 22.
WHAT:
The Allstate Tailgate Tour, a unique and interactive fan experience
visiting college football stadiums across the country, is heading to
Fort Collins this
week as the Colorado State Rams take on the Utah State Aggies on
Saturday, September 22.
From creating signs
in support of the Rams to participating in games for a chance to win
tailgate items, fans can take part in a variety of family-friendly
activities at the Allstate Tailgate Tour. Fans can
also take commemorative pictures of themselves to share instantly on
social media.
At the tour, fans
will also be invited to enter the “Allstate 60 Seconds of Mayhem
Sweepstakes,” where two finalists will compete in a field goal kick
competition at the Allstate Sugar Bowl to win a VIP trip
to the 2013 BCS National Championship in Miami.
WHEN: 2:00 p.m. – 5:15 p.m. MT
Saturday, September 22, 2012
WHERE: Ram Town, located southeast of Sonny Lubick Field at Hughes Stadium
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