The Rocky Mountain Showdown is back for 2024 after what was one of the most electric games during the college football season a year ago. While there’s no guarantee of another overtime thriller, the rivalry between Deion Sanders’ Colorado Buffaloes and Jay Norvell’s Colorado State Rams will feature fantastic storylines.
The game will return to Fort Collins, Colorado, for the first time since 1996 as the teams had played at neutral site Empower Field in Denver before restarting the home and home format last season with the game being played in Boulder. Here’s all the information you’ll need to tune in for kickoff.
Colorado and Colorado State Announcers, Broadcast Details, and More
- Start time: 7:30 p.m. ET
- Channel: CBS
- Radio Stations: KUAD 99.1 FM, KOA NewsRadio 850 AM & 94.1 FM
- Announcers: Rich Waltz, Ross Tucker
- Betting lines: Colorado State +7
- Over/Under: 58.5
- Moneyline: Colorado -285, Colorado State +230
- Location: Fort Collins, Colorado, Canvas Stadium
Colorado vs. Colorado State Game Preview
A tale of two 1-1 teams as the Buffaloes look to recover following a difficult loss to Nebraska last weekend on the road. Meanwhile, the Rams will try to continue their winning ways after a big win over Northern Colorado.
For Colorado State, the game will be an opportunity to beat the Buffaloes on their home turf for the first time since 1955, a streak that included a name change from Colorado A&M to Colorado State. The Buffs lead the all-time series with a record of 68-22-2.
The matchup will feature a bevy of interesting contrasts, and the trenches will be a major factor on both sides of the ball. Colorado has given up seven sacks on the season, while Colorado State has allowed just one.
The Buffaloes will want to expand on their nationally ranked last-place run game (37.5 yards per game) against a CSU run defense that has allowed an average of 148.5 yards per contest. And Colorado will look to stars Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter on offense to carry the load.
Hunter has been incredible on both sides of the ball this season, playing 120 snaps last week and tallying 10 receptions for 122 yards with three tackles and a pass breakup. Sanders, however, was roughed up against a feisty Nebraska defense and will want to bump up his average of 6.4 yards per completion if Colorado is going to have success on Saturday.
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For the Rams, freshman running back Justin Marshall will look to punch in his first rushing touchdown of the season after two solid outings running the ball. He’s averaging a hair below five yards per carry (4.94) and ran for 106 yards in CSU’s first game against Texas.
Marshall’s quarterback, Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi, will want to find Tory Horton as much as possible. Horton was a standout in last year’s matchup but has only seven catches on the season despite his star potential.
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