College Football Preview: Hawaii at Colorado State
By Joe Morrone
Sep 13, 2014; Fort Collins, CO, USA; Colorado State Rams running back Dee Hart (10) runs for a gain in the first quarter against the UC Davis Aggies at Hughes Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
The Colorado State Rams host the Hawaii Rainbows tonight at 5:00 mountain time on ESPNU. The Rams have won seven straight and are big favorites to move to 9-1 on the season. The Rainbows come into the game at 2-7 and have yet to win a game on the mainland.
The game certainly has the makings of a trap game for the Rams but they have proven this season that they are mature enough to handle being big favorites. The Rams will have to continue that trend over the final month of the season as they should be big favorites in their remaining two games following tonight’s contest.
The Rams are a little beat up on the offensive side of the ball with quarterback Garrett Grayson still nursing a groin injury and receiver Rashard Higgins battling a shoulder injury. Grayson is expected to play while Higgins will probably be a game time decision.
Given those injuries, look for the Rams to run the football a little more than usual. Dee Hart is coming off of a great game last week and the Rainbows are allowing almost 175 yards per game.
Combine that with the fact that the Rainbows are very good versus the pass, giving up only 224 yards per game, and all signs point towards a big workload for Hart and the other running backs.
Defensively, the Rams struggling secondary might catch a break. Rainbow quarterback, Ikaika Woolsey is completing only 50% of his passes and has seven interceptions on the season. The Rams could really use a confidence boost in the secondary and the game versus the Rainbows might just provide it.
The Rainbows rely on their ground game to move the ball and running back, Steven Lakalaka is having a solid season. The Rams have been up and down versus the run in 2014. Sometimes they look great and other times they can’t stop anyone.
Stopping the Rainbows running game will be key for the Rams. If they can slow down Lakalaka and force Woolsey to beat them through the air, then the Rams defense should be fine.
The Rams simply have more talent and more to play for than the Rainbows. As long as they come with the same consistent effort that the Rams have shown all season, then an eighth straight win should come easily.
Rams-38 Rainbows-16