5 Keys To Colorado State Winning The NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl

The NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl 5 Keys To Victory: What’s it going to take for Colorado State to win?

NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl: 5 Keys For Colorado State

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1. Force Nevada To Throw On Third Down

The Wolf Pack wants to ground-and-pound on offense, running the ball almost 200 times more than it threw it during the regular season. It’ll be up to the Ram defense, specifically the linebackers, to stuff backs James Butler and Don Jackson, and force QB Tyler Stewart outside of his comfort zone. Stewart, already a mediocre passer, has completed just 46.2% of his throws on third downs.

2. Get A Grip

Only Hawaii turned the ball over more than Colorado State in the Mountain West, a key reason why the Rams didn’t find their footing until November. CSU has thrown 15 interceptions and lost 11 fumbles, which often killed promising drives. Of greater concern for this specific matchup, Nevada is tied for the league’s fewest giveaways with just 12. While the Rams may not win the turnover margin on Tuesday, they’re also not going to defeat the Pack if they’re minus-two … or worse.

3. Be Sure QB Nick Stevens Is On Track

Mike Bobo wants his squad to be balanced, and he wants to maximize the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl’s premier player, WR Rashard Higgins. Both objectives require a tight effort from Stevens, who’s been up-and-down in his first season as the heir to current New Orleans Saint Garrett Grayson. When Stevens threw more touchdown passes than picks during the regular season, Colorado State was 5-0. When he didn’t? 2-5.

4. Neutralize the Nevada Defensive Linemen

The Rams’ biggest hurdle to offensive success, by far, will be handling the talented and experienced Wolf Pack D-line. Nevada starts four seniors up front, and ends Ian Seau and Lenny Jones are All-Mountain West performers. If Colorado State wants to give Stevens clear throwing lanes, while creating space for backs Dalyn Dawkins and Jasen Oden to roam, it must prevent Seau & Co. from taking the game over at the point of attack.

5. Diversify the Passing Attack

Nevada knows Stevens wants to get the ball to Higgins. Everyone in Tucson knows Stevens wants to get the ball to Higgins. So, why not catch the Pack off guard by exploiting the Nevada linebackers? While Colorado State may not boast a deep corps of wide receivers, the tight ends are proven. Seniors Kivon Cartwright and Steven Walker well-rounded targets, with 117 career receptions and 16 career touchdown grabs between them. Stevens ought to make good use of both of them.