Pre-Game Thoughts - Colorado State

Other than a home match up against San Diego St. in a couple of weeks, BYU's final stretch doesn't look too easy. Colorado St. has definitely benefited from new head coach Steve Fairchild. A program that won only two games last year is now flirting with bowl eligibility sitting at 4-4. With Wyoming, on their schedule they really only have to worry about winning one other game. But it won't be easy as they still have to play BYU, Air Force, and New Mexico. All three teams are leaders in the MWC this year.

Knowing they don't have an easy road to bowl eligiblity, Colorado St. will be well prepared for BYU this saturday. The might also be very angry after coming off a close win that should have been a blow out against San Diego St. In a game where Colorado St. racked up 507 total yards compared the SDSU's 392, you would have thought the game would have been decided by a lot more than 4 points.

BYU should be finding some anger as well after narrowly winning a shootout with UNLV last saturday. Many of the national media felt the win should have been much more lop sided, and therefore BYU stayed static is the polls while multiple other teams leapfrogged the cougars. However, the fact of the matter is UNLV is playing much better than their record shows. Their team is taking every game down to the wire and simply not finding a way to close the deal. How easily critics forget that this is the same UNLV team that beat a 13th ranked Arizona St team and a very good Iowa St team. They are a very good football team.

This week BYU will look to quiet the national media (or get them saying the right things, which ever you prefer) by beating a much improved Colorado St team. However, they are going to have to do it soundly to get any national attention. This week all eyes are on Utah and TCU as they prepare for a thursday night showdown next week in Salt Lake City.

This game, just like last week, has the potential to be a shoot out. Colorado St has the ability to put points on the board. They will score and the cougars need to be ready to also put points on the board. Although the potential is there, I don't believe this game will be as close as last week's. BYU has a defensive front that matches up well with the running game of Colorado St.

Predicted Score
BYU 42, Colorado St. 20