Preview: Washington State @ Colorado State

Credit: Eric Lumsden via Flickr

Broadcast Information:

• TV: CBS Sports Network (7 PM EST)

• Announcing: Carter Blackburn, Randy Cross, Brandon Baylor

• Radio Tuning: https://csurams.com/sports/2020/1/9/radio?id=4597

• Radio Streaming: https://thevarsitynetwork.com/audioapplink

What's at stake?

Last year, Washington State avenged a 2013 New Mexico Bowl loss 38-7 in the Palouse. In what could become a precursor to a Mountain West Rivalry (jury is still out on realignment), the Cougars will travel to Fort Collins for the second game of this series.

Key Players:

On offense for WSU, it is QB Cam Ward and the ability of the offensive line to protect, as he was sacked 46 times in 2022 (most in Pac-12 and second in the country).

On defense, keep your eyes on Ron Stone Jr who is a two-time All Pac-12 with 11 sacks in 2022. Also, keep your eye on Brennan Jackson, who’s on the Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list.

On offense for CSU, Avery Murrow returns to the backfield with 866 yards last season. The Rams also added transfer Kobe Johnson who played four seasons at North Dakota State, where he rushed for 2,563 yards and 18 touchdowns.

Prediction:

In what could quickly become a new Mountain West Rivalry, who knows these days. The Cougars are 5-1 at elevation since 2000, but the Mike Leach (RIP) loss in the 2013 New Mexico Bowl still lingers. Dickert has proven to be a bit more conservative as a coach, and much more defensive-minded. It will be a closer game than last year as Norvell needs to get his program headed in the right direction, but the Cougs get the W.