San Diego State Football: Keys to beating Colorado State

WEEK 9: San Diego State Aztecs (5-3, 4-0 MW) vs  Colorado State Rams (3-4, 1-2 W)

WHEN: Saturday, October 30, 1:30 PM MT

WHERE: Hughes Stadium, Fort Collins, CO

TV: CBS Sports Network

COACHES: Rocky Long, Mike Bobo

SERIES RECORD: 19-13 San Diego State, 33rd meeting all time

San Diego State meets Colorado State in Fort Collins, CO to resume their dominance of Mountain West. The Aztecs come into this game undefeated and fresh off a victory of what was the second favorite team to win the Mountain division, Utah State. The Rams are 1-2 and sit towards the bottom of the Mountain division. Whereas San Diego State looks bright, the Rams are setting traps for the Aztecs to hopefully fall for as San Diego State looks straight at a bye week.

Keys to Victory

Stay focused.

Long and everybody knows that the Aztecs has the attention of the Mountain West. The Aztecs thoroughly beat down Utah State last Friday. The same Utah State team that upset Boise State got a taste of their own medicine in San Diego. But for San Diego State they must remain focused on Colorado State, even though a bye week follows after the game. It’s seems that Rocky Long’s getting into the minds of San Diego State with the reduction of turnovers, but penalties continue to hurt the offense more than the defense in 2015.

If it’s not broke don’t fix it.

San Diego State’s running game has been thoroughly effective in Mountain West play. Pumphrey has been on a killing spree with four consecutive games rushing games over 120+ yards. It’s probable that Pumphrey will break a 1,000 yard rushing season by halftime. Also in this timeline Maxwell Smith has been the perfect game manager, throwing zero interceptions since the September 12 game at Cal. Despite throwing under 100 yards for the first time this season, the running backs have been able to carry this team to victory.

Lockdown Rashard Higgins

The number two offensive player according to us at the MWConnection goes up against a senior-led defensive unit. Despite having a monster 2014 and landing on the 2014 All-American list, through 6 games Higgins has only racked up 542 yards and four touchdowns whereas last year through the same time span he racked up 776 yards with ten touchdowns. This might not be the week Higgins runs through the San Diego State defense, but Rocky Long knows that he shouldn’t give Higgins room to accomplish that.

Prediction

Colorado State plays tough because although they have one of the most dynamic receivers in college football, they have a relentless rushing attack led by Jasen Osden. They lean heavily on the run more than the pass. However, I suspect San Diego State is ready to continue their dominance after going 4-0 in MW play. This game won't deviate from the norm, so I expect Pumphrey and Chase Price to run up and down the field and Penny to see some life on ofefnse because these Aztecs need a rest.

San Diego State 28, Colorado State 14