Colorado State Rams vs San Jose State Spartans Football Preview

It hasn’t been pretty for Colorado State so far this season, but the Rams aren’t likely complaining about their 3-1 record. Last week the Rams were outplayed by Utah State and down 21-13 with just two minutes left, but cashed in a muffed punt return to force overtime and were able to grab the win. This week, Colorado State welcomes San Jose State to Fort Collins.

San Jose State comes to town fresh off a 10-point home win over New Mexico State. It was the Spartans’ first win over an FBS team (technically, New Mexico State does count) in 17 games. The bad news for San Jose State is that the Spartans have not beaten an FBS team not named New Mexico State since November 1, 2008. Things are rough in San Jose. The Spartans sport an offense ranked in the sub-100s, and a defense not much better. The quarterback duties have been split between Matt Faulkner and Dasmen Stewart. Neither man has been able to light up the night sky. San Jose State’s limited amount of success – the few bread crumbs that have come the Spartans’ way in their decidedly Spartan existence over the past several years – is due entirely to its defense. SJSU is groaning and yearning for any semblance of high-level quarterback play. If the sons of Silicon Valley can get consistently high production from the quarterback spot, they would instantly form an upper-tier WAC team due to the resilience and ruggedness of their defense. San Jose held Nevada – without Colin Kaepernick, yes, but it’s still Nevada – to just 17 points a few weeks ago. If the visitors can do anything on offense against Colorado State, they not only could stand in the ring for four quarters; they could very possibly emerge with a win that would build on the New Mexico State triumph.

Colorado State hasn’t been a beacon of offensive productivity, either. The offense has been anemic, averaging only 311 yards per game against sub-par competition. The Mountain West’s best freshman quarterback last season, Pete Thomas, hasn’t really flourished this year as expected. Averaging just 175 passing yards per game, Thomas has only tallied three touchdown passes—with an equal number of interceptions—in four games. Against such competition as San Jose State, the Rams’ focus should be on simple execution to improve all facets of its offense before conference play begins.

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By: Matt Zemek
DFN Sports Senior Staff Writer