Week One: Colorado State versus Colorado

Colorado State vs. Colorado: This is a rivalry game between Mountain West member Colorado State and PAC 12 big brother Colorado. The two teams combined for 6 wins (3 a piece) and a combined 0-5 record versus Top 25 teams. Both teams struggled mightily and are hoping for bounce back seasons and a bowl game in 2012.

Offense: Colorado was just bad on offense in 2011 with the 92nd ranked offense in the country only averaging 346 yards per game last fall. The Buffaloes struggled to run the ball successfully with a 3.5 yards per carry average and only 108 yards per game on the ground. Colorado only found the end zone running the football 10 times in 13 games during the 2011 season. The Buffaloes were more successful throwing the ball in 2011 with 237 yards in the air per game. Colorado was able to find the end zone 21 times in the air but conteracted that somewhat with 11 interceptions and 19 overall turnovers on the season. Colorado ended the season ranked 109th nationally with 19.8 points scored per game. Colorado State was 5 yards per game better than Colorado in 2011 with 351 yards per game ranking the Rams 87th nationally in total offense. The Rams were more of a running team last fall with 166 yards per game on the ground, good for the 44th ranked rushing offense in the country. The Rams had a healthy 4.4 yards per carry with 17 rushing touchdowns on the season. The Rams passing game was less successful last fall with only 184 yards per game in the air making the Rams one of the bottom 25% of passing offenses. Not only could the Rams not throw effectively for yardage, the Rams threw 2 more interceptions than touchdowns on the season 14-12. Overall, the Rams could only score 21.4 points per game ranking Colorado State 101st nationally. EDGE: Push

Defense: The Colorado Buffaloes struggled stopping opponents in 2012 with the 102nd ranked defense in the nation giving up 439 yards per game to opposing offenses. Colorado gave up 5.2 yards per carry and 183 yards per game to opposing running games and 26 touchdowns on the year, good for an average of 2 touchdowns per game on the ground. The Colorado pass defense was also quite bad giving up 255 yards per game and 34 touchdowns in the air last fall. The total of 60 touchdowns allowed last fall was good for one of the worst defenses in the nation. The Buffaloes gave up 36.5 points per game ranking Colorado 109th in the all important scoring defense category. Colorado State was slightly better on defense in 2011 giving up 413 yards per game to opponents ranking the Rams 85th nationally in total defense. The Rams rush defense was the 5th worst in the country last fall giving up 233 yards per game on the ground with a 5.5 yards per carry allowed and 28 touchdowns on the season. The pass defense was better giving up 179 yards per game in the air with 19 touchdowns allowed and 8 interceptions. The Rams were able to force 22 turnovers on the season. Colorado State had the 91st ranked scoring defense in the country with 31.3 points allowed per game. EDGE: Push

Coaching: Jon Embree is the head coach of the Colorado Buffaloes and is heading into his second year as the head coach. Embree started coaching in 1991 as a volunteer coach before going to Douglas County HS, Colorado again, UCLA, the Kansas City Chiefs, and the Washington Redskins before accepting the head coaching job at Colorado. Embree is 3-10 in his one season as the head coach of the Buffaloes. Jim McElwain is the head coach of the Colorado State Rams and is entering his first year as the head coach of the Rams. McElwain started coaching in 1987 with Eastern Washington following a football career there. After EWU, McElwain traveled to Montana State, Louisville, Michigan State, the Oakland Raiders, Fresno State and Alabama before heading to Colorado State for the head coaching job. EDGE: PUSH

Colorado and Colorado State have played 83 times overall with Colorado leading the overall series 61-20-2 with wins in 8 of the last 12 meetings. Colorado won the most recent meeting 28-14 in 2011.

While both teams had bad seasons in 2011, both Colorado and Colorado State are optimistic about the future with young coaching staffs. Colorado handled the Rams easily last fall winning 28-14 in the annual rivalry game and are the more talented team of the two. With a new coaching staff led by former Alabama assistant Jim McElwain has the Rams excited to make an impact immediately. Expect Colorado to win in the same manner as the 28-14 game from last fall.