Two of the Mountain West’s top teams square off in an inter-state contest Friday. Air Force hosts Colorado State in a game with serious division implications. Colorado State needs to beat the Falcons and hope Utah State beats Boise State Saturday in order for the Rams to bring home the divisional crown.
How to watch Colorado State vs. Air Force: Game guide, TV schedule, streaming, odds
Can the Falcons ruin the Rams’ shot at a major bowl?
The Falcons were eliminated from the race last week with their loss at San Diego State, but they’ve had quite the resurgent year after last season’s 2-10 debacle. Air Force has played dominant defense this season, and they’re the only team besides Ole Miss to beat Boise State. The Falcons still run the ball a lot, but quarterback Kale Pearson is a capable passer who can hurt defenses.
Colorado State has been perhaps the best Group of 5 team this season, with a 2-0 record against power conference schools and their lone loss coming on the road to Boise State. That loss came in early September, so it’s been quite a while since the Rams lost. Former Alabama offensive coordinator Jim McElwain has made quite the name for himself running the program, and could be headed to a power conference job sooner rather than later.
How to watch, listen, and stream
Game time: 3:30 p.m. ET.
TV: CBS Sports Network.
Online streaming: N/A.
The numbers
Rankings and records: Colorado State is ranked No. 21 in both the AP and Coaches polls, but unranked in the Playoff top 25. Air Force is not ranked in any poll. The Rams are 10-1 with a 6-1 record in conference play. The Falcons are 8-3 with a 4-3 conference record.
Vegas: Colorado State opened as 5-point favorites. The line has since moved to 7.5. The over/under is 59.5, per Odds Shark.
Weather forecast: High of 66, partly cloudy.
Two things at stake
Colorado State needs a win to stay in the conference title picture.
Air Force could cap a nice season with a very stellar victory.
One big matchup
Colorado State running game vs. Air Force front seven. McElwain’s bread and butter with the Rams has been the running game. He turned JuCo transfer Kapri Bibbs into a star last season, leading the nation in touchdowns, and Alabama transfer Dee Hart is picking up where Bibbs left off (7.0 yards per carry, 16 touchdowns). The Falcons are holding opponents to 3.9 yards per carry this season, but they may not have the size to compete with the Rams’ physical point of attack.
Further reading
For full coverage of the Mountain West, check out Mountain West Connection.
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