What a way to kick it off the College football back with the Rocky Mountain Showdown, consisting of the Colorado State Rams and Colorado Buffaloes. This will be the 86th annual Rocky Mountain Showdown as the Buffs have dominated the series, going 61-21-2.
Colorado and Colorado State open the 2014 season by renewing their rivalry at Sports Authority Field in Denver. The Rams went 8-6 overall and 5-3 in the Mountain West last season, defeating Washington State in the New Mexico Bowl. The Buffaloes went 4-8 last season in their first year under head coach Mike MacIntyre, including a 1-8 Pac-12 record.
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Colorado Buffaloes facts
- Colorado hasn't had a winning record since 2005.
- The Buffaloes play in NFL stadiums in the first two weeks of the season
- The team lost safety Jered Bell and defensive end Tyler Henington for the season in fall camp due to ACL injuries.
- Colorado is tied for third in the country with 28 underclassmen on the two-deep of its season-opening depth chart.
- In season openers between Colorado and Colorado State, the Buffaloes are 12-7.
Colorado State Rams facts
- Senior quarterback Garrett Grayson returns after throwing for a school record of 3,696 yards last season.
- The Rams are looking to record back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since 2002-03.
- Colorado State is 2-1 in neutral-site games under head coach Jim McElwain.
- Senior linebacker Aaron Davis was named to the Butkus Award watch list, the first Rams player named to the list since 2000.
- Four of the team's offensive lineman will be making their starting debuts against Colorado.
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During the 85th annual Rocky Mountain Showdown last season, the Buffaloes came away victorious with a 41-27 win, capturing The Centennial Cup and the bragging rights for the season. Before Sefo Liufau took over later in the season, Connor Woodled the Buffs in the win as he passed for 400 yards on 33-of-46 attempts, recording three touchdowns — two of those two Paul Richardson. Richardson caught 10 balls for 208 yards as the receiver was selected in the second-round of the 2014 NFL Draft to the Seattle Seahawks.
The Rams were led by junior running back Kapri Bibbs who carried the ball 15 times for 70 yards, recording two touchdowns to keep it close. Bibbs declared for the NFL draft along with linebacker Shaquil Barrett as they lost two of their key players.
The running game was the Rams key strength last season but losing the NCAA’s top rusher will be a crushing blow. The Rams would also lose four starting offensive lineman which will be a learning curve and could be exploited right away.
Colorado will be returning a key part of their defense last year in sophomore Addison Gillam. Gillam started all 12 games last year and was the only freshman in CU history to record more than 90 tackles in a season.
With the loss of Paul Richardson in the Buffs offense, Colorado will reportedly go with the wide-receiver by committee look with Nelson Spruce, D.D. Goodson, and Bryce Bobo.
The Rams do have something to make up for their loss in the run game with Alabama transfer Dee Hart. The 5-foot-9, 187 pound back has made some strides in camp and�has stood out to their coaching staff. The Rams will also return quarterback Garrett Grayson who passed for 201 yards in last year’s game.
What: Rocky Mountain Showdown: Rams vs. Buffaloes
When: Friday, August 29th.
Where: Sports Authority Field, Denver, Colorado.
Time: 9:00 PM ET, 7:00 PM MT.
