Instructions, storylines, predictions

Utah State (4-7, 3-3 Mountain West) and Colorado State (7-4, 5-1)

When/where: 1:30 p.m. Friday/Canvas Stadium

TV/radio: FS1/99.1FM

BetMGM line: CSU -6, 58.5 over/under

Weather: 42 degrees, sunny

Series history: CSU leads 39-38-2 but has lost five straight

Three storylines

Rams’ chance of reaching the title game: CSU lost control of its destiny to reach the Mountain West championship game with last week’s loss at Fresno State, in which a 21-point halftime deficit was too much to overcome. Still, the Rams have a chance to clinch the title against Boise State, with a win over Utah State and a UNLV loss to rival Nevada. Jay Norvell’s old school is 0-6 in conference play but hit Boise State hard in a narrow loss on Nov. 9. UNLV is a 17.5-point favorite at home, so CSU needs a huge upset.

The CSU’s thin backcourt: Avery Morrow, who had been CSU’s star performer for most of the season, was only able to allow in two runs against Fresno State due to a sprained MCL in his knee. Jalen Dupree was also sidelined with a back injury and Norvell doesn’t believe he will be available against Utah State. That leaves just Justin Marshall to carry the rushing load, with a little help from Kobe Johnson. CSU’s running game has been the key point in its path to seven wins this season, so it will fall on Marshall’s shoulders to set the tone on Friday.

BFN against Swiss cheese D: Utah State ranks second-to-last in the Mountain West with 471.5 total yards allowed per game, including 245.2 yards through the air. In a season in which Rams quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi hasn’t been able to express himself nearly as much as he did in 2023, Friday presents an opportunity to return to his gunslinger life. That means Caleb Goodie has a good day ahead of him and has the potential to surpass 500 yards after taking over as BFN’s top target following Tory Horton’s season-ending injury in mid-October.

Predictions

Kyle Newman, sports journalist: CSU 31, Utah State 23

The Rams are rebounding from a no-show in Fresno last week. Justin Marshall has two rushing touchdowns while surpassing 100 yards, and the CSU defense gets a few takeaways to help the Rams pull away. But CSU isn’t getting the support it needs elsewhere as UNLV defeats Nevada and solidifies the Rebels’ spot in the Mountain West championship game. CSU has to be content with a regular bowl game.

Sean Keeler, sports columnist: CSU 32, Utah State 23

After a humiliating roadie in Fresno, the Rams are back to what they did best: strike early, strike hard, stand up big, pound the rock and stab to win. You don’t have to love the whole look, but an ugly 8-4 is still CSU’s first eight-win campaign in 10 stinking years. And what a long, strange decade it has been.