Yes, another breakdown of the upcoming Rocky Mountain Showdown, what else is there to talk about? However, today we take a different angle by pairing up the two teams side by side entering the 2016 match up to see who has the true edge going in.
2016 Colorado vs. Colorado State Comparison
Position: Head Coach
Colorado: Mike MacIntyre | Colorado State: Mike Bobo
Breakdown: Mike MacIntyre (Colorado) is 10-27, Mike Bobo (Colorado State) is 7-6. MacIntyre and Bobo both have ties to the State of Georgia. MacIntyre graduated from Georgia Tech, Bobo coached 14 seasons at Georgia. MacIntyre is 1-0 against Bobo, but Bobo took CSU to a Bowl game in 2015. MacIntyre feeling more pressure going in as the Buffs have lost their last 8 of 9, Colorado State on the other hand has won their last 4 out of 5 games entering 2016.
Edge: Draw
Why: Simply put they each need this game badly, more pressure on MacIntyre
Position: Offensive Coordinator
Colorado: Brian Lindgren/Darrin Chiaverini | Colorado State: Will Friend
Breakdown: Brian Lindgren/Darrin Chiaverini are co-offensive coordinators at Colorado, Will Friend is in his second season at Colorado State. As a sole offensive coordinator in 2015 Lindgren's offense put up 24.6 points per game, which was 97th in the nation. Chiaverini a graduate from Colorado is in his first year coaching back at his alma mater. For Friend, his first year was very productive as the Rams averaged 29.6 points per game and racked up 425-yards per game.
Edge: Colorado State
Why: Who knows how the dual offensive coordinator deal will work, especially on opening night. Will Friend had a successful year in 2015 and he has some big hitters returning into 2016.
Position: Defensive Coordinator
Colorado: Jim Leavitt | Colorado State: Marty English
Breakdown: Jim Leavitt is in his second year as the Defensive Coordinator at Colorado coming to the Buffs from the 49ers where he was the linebackers' coach. Colorado's defense allowed 27.5 points per game and 198.7-yards per game which was 99th in the country. The Buffs' passing defense allowed just 218.2-yards per game, which ranked 59th nationally. The Defensive Coordinator at Colorado State is Marty English who is in his 5th year at Colorado State. English was the linebacking coach in 2015, but was the co-defensive coordinator for the Rams from 2012-2014 under then Head Coach Jim McElwain.
Edge: Colorado
Why: Jim Leavitt has more experience and quite frankly, has a better defense returning. If this game is going to come down to one area, it's right here. Jim Leavitt vs. Will Friend...
Position: Quarterbacks
Colorado: Sefo Liufau | Colorado State: Nick Stevens or Faton Bauta
Breakdown: Fans at Friday Night's game or who are watching on ESPN should be in for a treat as each Colorado and Colorado State return veteran quarterbacks that can make the big play. Colorado returns Senior Sefo Liufau who threw for 2,418-yards and 9 touchdowns, for Colorado State it will likely be Junior Nick Stevens who threw for 2,679-yards and 21 touchdowns. With that said, Colorado State has not named the starter for the 2016 Rocky Mountain Showdown as Faton Bauta who is a senior transfer from Georgia is pushing Stevens for the starting position.
Edge: Colorado
Why: Sefo is the man for the Buffs. Colorado State is still a question mark at the position, not really want you want just days away from the kickoff.
Position: Running Back
Colorado: Phillip Lindsay | Colorado State: Dalyn Dawkins
Breakdown: Lindsay led the Buffs in rushing last year with 653-yards off 140 carries, scoring 6 touchdowns. He has looked very explosive during August Camp. For Colorado State, Dawkins is their big time playmaker who had an impressive showing against Colorado last year. After practice on Monday, Coach MacIntyre had nothing but positives to say about Dawkins.
Edge: Colorado State
Why: Dawkins did work last year during this match up rushing for 118-yards and 1 touchdown, he's a home-run hitter.
Position: Receivers
Colorado: Shay Fields, Bryce Bobo | Colorado State: Olabisi Johnson, Sammie Long
Breakdown: Both Colorado as well as Colorado State need players to rise up Friday Night as each lost some big time players. Colorado will look to Shay Fields who hauled in 598-yards and look for a player like Bryce Bobo or Devin Ross at the slot to step up as well. The Rams have liked Olabisi Johnson during August Camp, Sammie Long is also listed as a No. 1, and Xavier Williams is a name to know on the outside.
Edge: Colorado
Why: The Buffs return much more experience at the position: Fields, Bobo, and Ross caught for a combined 1,129-yards. Colorado State's leading receiver heading into 2016 is Running Back Dalyn Dawkins who caught for 178-yards.
Offensive Line
Colorado: Alex Kelley, Jeromy Irwin | Colorado State: Fred Zerblis, Nick Callender
Breakdown: During Colorado's Tuesday Press Conference Mike MacIntyre said that the Rams pushed their defensive front around in their last meeting. For the Rams watch for Fred Zerblis is a 6-foot-2, 305 pound offensive guard, Nick Callender is a 6-foot-6, 325 pound left tackle. Jake Bennett at 6-foot-3, 290 returns at center, and 6-foot-5, 290 pound Zach Golditch is at right tackle. Colorado State's Offensive Line averages: 303 pounds. Colorado returns two starting linemen from the 2015 season with 6-foot-2, 305 pound Alex Kelley at center and 6-foot-4, 295 pound Gerrard Kough at guard. The great news is that Jeromy Irwin at 6-foot-5, 295 pounds is back from a knee injury and watch for rising right guard Tim Lynott at 6-foot-3, 300 pounds. Colorado's offensive line averages: 298 pounds.
Edge: Colorado State
Why: With 4 out of their 5 starters returning into the 2016 season, Colorado State looks to have the edge between the two teams.
Defensive Line
Colorado: Jordan Carrell, Josh Tupou | Colorado State: Josh Lovingwood, Jakob Buys
Breakdown: Really like what Colorado returns into the 2016 season inside the trenches on defense. The return of both Josh Tupou at 6-foot-3, 325 pounds at Defensive Tackle as well as the return of Samson Kafovalu at Defensive End, along with Jordan Carrell at 6-foot-3, 300 pounds makes the Buffs front three very capable of creating problems for really anyone they face. Colorado State returns 6-foot-4, 310 pound Josh Lovingood at Defensive Tackle, 6-foot-4, 265 pound Jakob Buys is another junior to watch, and Darnell Thompson at 6-foot-4, 270 pounds will also be a first year starter.
Edge: Colorado
Why: The Buffs much more experience within the defensive line, stopping guys like Tupou, Carrell, and Kafovalu is going to be tough. The Colorado State Offensive Line vs. the Colorado Defensive Line is going to be a tremendous battle.
Linebackers
Colorado: Derek McCartney, Addison Gillam | Colorado State: Kevin Davis, Josh Watson
Breakdown: Again, Colorado returns much more experience than Colorado State in this area. McCartney recorded 70 total tackles, Jimmie Gilbert led the team with 6 quarterback sacks, Olugbode recorded 80 tackles, and Rick Gamboa led the team in tackles with 96. Throw in Addison Gillam who is back from a knee injury, the Buffs have tons of experience. Colorado State will be without Deonte Clyburn who they lost to a season ending injury during fall camp, but they do return Kevin Davis, the 6-foot-2, 240 pound weak side backer recorded 101 tackles last season, 13 alone during against Boise State. Watch for Tre Thomas at 6-foot-2, 215 pounds and 6-foot-2, 235 pound Josh Watson who saw plenty of time as a Freshman last year.
Edge: Colorado
Why: Outside of Kevin Davis returning for Colorado State, most of the Rams are new to the scene. Colorado's has much more of an edge in terms of experience and you could argue that McCartney will be the best linebacker on the field Friday Night.
Defensive Backs
Colorado: Chidobe Awuzie, Tedric Thompson | Colorado State: Tyree Simmons, Jordon Vaden
Breakdown: Don't be surprised, Colorado again has much more experience in the secondary department, those that follow Colorado 24/7 know that this is their best overall unit because of ballers like: Chidobe Awuzie at either Nickel or Corner and Tedric Thompson at the safety position. Throw in guys like Isaiah Oliver, Ahkello Witherspoon, and Ryan Moeller, and Afolabi Laguda, the unit is among the PAC 12's best. For Colorado State, Tyree Simmons returns and watch for Jordon Vaden who was a receiver last year, we keep hearing great things about his playmaking ability, but this is his first year on defense.
Edge: Colorado
Why: This is Colorado's best unit returning 4 starters into the 2016 season, Colorado State returns just one starter in Tyree Simmons.
Special Teams
Colorado: Diego Gonzalez, Alex Kinney | Colorado State: Wyatt Bryan, Hayden Hunt
Breakdown: Diego Gonzalez hit the game winner last year against CSU, but he was just 62.1% on the season. Colorado also returns their punter from last season in Alex Kinney who had an average of 40.12, 6 of his 66 punts went for over 50-yards. Colorado State also returns their kicker and punter from last season. Wyatt Bryan was 16-22 kicking field goals last year, which was a 72.7 percentage, with two being blocked, one by Tedric Thompson in 2015. Hayden Hunt had an average punt of 46.0, 15 of his 52 punts went for over 50-yards. Colorado State Running Back Dalyn Dawkins will return kicks, Robert Ruiz will return punts. For Colorado Running Back Phillip Lindsay will return kickoffs and receiver Jay MacIntyre will return punts.
Edge: Colorado State
Why: On paper, Colorado State has a better kicker and a better punter, but last year Colorado won the special teams game, which eventually led to the overtime victory.
Misc.
Colorado has a losing streak of 6 games going into Friday's match up
Both Colorado and Colorado State have 14 Alumni on NFL Roster as of August 23rd
Colorado enters the 2016 RMS Showdown having forced at least one turnover in 13 consecutive games
Colorado is 14-23 all time on Friday Games, losing 8 of their last 9
Colorado State has reached a bowl game in each of their last three seasons
Colorado State finished 33rd in the nation last year in rushing offense
2016 Rocky Mountain Showdown
Colorado 0-0 vs. Colorado State 0-0
Date: Friday, September 2
Time: 6PM MST
Location: Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Denver
TV: ESPN
Line: Colorado -10
Related RMS Coverage
Key Quotes from Tuesday's Colorado Press Conference
Five Burning Questions Going Into The CSU Game
Video: Two Minute Drill, CSU Week
Getting To Know Colorado State
Returning Stat Leaders for Colorado State
Biggest Defensive Impact Players For Colorado
Film Room: Breaking Down Colorado's State
MacIntyre Talks What To Expect Against Colorado State
