2017 Alabama Football opponents from worst to best: Colorado State
By Ronald Evans
Each Monday leading up to the 2017 Alabama football season we will focus on a Tide opponent from the projected worst team to the best.
The rundown of the 2017 Alabama football season started with this report on the Mercer Bears. Last week we covered Fresno State.
2017 Alabama Football Opponents from Worst to Best
No. 12 – Mercer Bears
No. 11 – Fresno State Bulldogs
No. 10 – Colorado State Rams
Colorado State Rams – September 16- Tuscaloosa
When Colorado State (CSU) announced the two-game series with Alabama football a few years ago, they made no pretense of expecting to challenge the Tide. The CSU Athletic Director said,
"“Playing games like these will provide great visibility and exposure on a national level for our outstanding university and our athletics program. To play an opponent of this caliber in that environment is a great learning and teaching opportunity for everyone.”"
The Rams are in for another ‘learning and teaching’ experience this fall in Tuscaloosa.
Former Georgia QB and Offensive Coordinator and now CSU head coach, Mike Bobo will try to gin up optimism in his team. But as the old football heads say, “all that Rah-Rah stuff is great until you get hit in the mouth.”
Colorado State was 7-6 last season, winning four of its last five before losing to Idaho in the Idaho Potato Bowl. The biggest win for the Rams was beating Fresno State 37-0. The first two 2017 games for the Rams are Oregon State and Colorado. CSU gets a breather against Abilene Christian before coming to Tuscaloosa.
Against Mountain West competition CSU can run up points. The Rams’ best player is wide receiver, Michael Gallup. The Rams have a senior QB, Nick Stevens known for his accuracy. The Rams also return three capable running backs.
The biggest problem for CSU last season was stopping the run. Look for Alabama football and its stable of running backs to overwhelm the CSU defense.
Colorado State is not a bad team. Most experts predict a fifth straight bowl game. A few are suggesting the Rams can contend for a Mountain West championship.
If they ‘learn’ enough during a few hours in Bryant-Denny, maybe the Rams can contend with Boise State in November.
Next: 30 Great Crimson Tiders who were 3-Star recruits
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