Favored Rams need to play complete game vs. Lobos

F ORT COLLINS» It feels like forever since Colorado State went through a week of practice knowing it will head into its next matchup with a genuine shot at victory.

The last time the Rams where favored entering a game was back in week two when CSU hosted Western Illinois. However, their time as underdog finally reaches an end this Friday when Mike Bobo’s group faces fellow basement-dweller New Mexico in Albuquerque.

Following a tough stretch, competing against the 2-3, out-of-sorts Lobos represents a rare soft spot on the Rams’ 2019 schedule. Although, CSU must thoroughly execute over four quarters to pick up a victory — something that has not been all too simple for the Rams.

CSU capitalized when UNM traveled to Fort Collins in 2018, defeating the Lobos 20-18 behind Wyatt Bryan’s game-winning field goal as time expired.

To win, the Rams must contain UNM’s multifaceted rushing attack.

The Lobos found very few solutions within their option offense last season –– finishing near the bottom of the Mountain West in both passing and rushing. As a result, UNM hired Joe Dailey as the program’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.

After spending seven years on Liberty’s staff, Dailey implemented a spread scheme — in which the Lobos have improved their rushing attack.

So, though CSU contained the Lobos’ run game with ease in 2018, holding Dailey’s side to only 134 rushing yards again is much easier said than done. UNM currently averages 212 yards on the ground per contest, representing the conference’s third-best mark.

Stopping the run depends whether or not CSU’s defense can stifle senior tailback Ahmari Davis — who notched his fourth 95-plus-yard effort in five games against San Jose State last week.

However, slowing Davis down won’t necessarily lead to defensive prosperity. The Rams must also devise a sound gameplan around dualthreat quarterback Sheriron Jones –– who will almost certainly see the field regardless of if he draws the start over sophomore quarterback Tevaka Tuioti.

Both quarterbacks boast two-way prowess, but Jones has excelled with his scrambling ability while each has struggled throwing the ball. Jones asserted his talents last week by accumulating 104 rushing yards after entering the game for Tuioti in the second quarter.

The more short-yardage plays CSU forces UNM to, the better chances the Rams will have at earning their second victory.

Compared to last season, the Lobos’ defense features a plethora of new faces as UNM lost its eight leading tacklers from 2018. The departures have particularly plagued Bob Davie’s group in the secondary, which makes sense given the Lobos are without five of the previous year’s vital defensive backs — namely safety Stanley Barnwell Jr., who led the team with 74 takedowns, as well as cornerback D’Angelo Ross and safety Michael Sewell Jr.

Minimal experience within the DB group has made UNM’s secondary exceptionally easy to exploit. Following a season in which the Lobos passing defense fell inside the top half of the Mountain West, UNM ranks dead last in the category — allowing a hefty 386 yards over the top per contest.

The Lobos provide a solid defensive line and rushing defense. However, not good enough to compensate for their inept play in the secondary.

Whoever ends up obtaining more work under center for CSU –– either Nebraska transfer Patrick O’Brien or redshirt sophomore Justice McCoy — the Rams’ passing game needs to excel in Albuquerque, which isn’t asking a lot.