From our Q&A with RamNation.com:
GH: Who wins and why?
RN: Beating Minnesota is going to be a challenge for this Ram team. The size and speed differential that CSU will see between last week’s opponent and this week’s will be vast. But CSU has its own size and speed to match, and it will be interesting to see how the two teams match up. The Rams are more talented across the board than they’ve been in more than a decade, but they’re also a little green in certain areas, including the all-important quarterback position. Nick Stevens looked very good vs. Savannah State. We’ll see how he fares against a good Minnesota defense. He looked comfortable against a relatively non-existent pass rush, and was able to find open receivers with ease. Minnesota’s talented secondary will require him to be on-time and on target with his passes. CSU’s young, but heralded wide receiving corps will be tested. The offense as a whole will have to secure the ball, something they didn’t do well last week.
CSU’s defense has been a weak spot of the team in recent years, but the secondary is experienced and is going on its third season of playing together. The front seven will have to contain the run and the secondary will have to minimize Minnesota’s big plays. Having a veteran QB in Mitch Leidner gives Minnesota an advantage. CSU’s odds of winning would be boosted if the defense could force a couple of takeaways.
CSU’s special teams performance last week is very concerning and has the potential to be a deciding factor in the game.
That being said, if CSU can take care of the ball and play with the same offensive pace as last week, bend but not break often on defense, and avoid the special teams miscues, the Rams can win. They’ve won nine straight games at home and 14 of its last 16 home games dating back to 2012.
GH: What is your score prediction?
RN: We’re betting on a strong, focused performance by the Rams with minimal turnovers and special teams blunders. Combined with home-field advantage and a team determined to prove it can stand toe-to-toe with a Big Ten team, we see the Rams squeaking out an exciting, hard-fought win…partially avenging the 34-16 home loss to the Gophers in 2005 and 56-24 blowout road loss in Minneapolis in 2006.
CSU 31, Minnesota 28
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