Rocky Mountain Showdown: Three keys for a Colorado win

Buffs and Rams square off for the 92nd time since in 130 years

Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

The 18th-ranked Colorado Buffaloes keep on rolling as they have won their first two games of the season. Now, they look to make it six in a row against their in-state rival the Colorado State Rams.

It will be CSU's first trip to Boulder since 2009 and was a rare win for the Aggies. They're faced with a monumental task of trying to take down Deion Sanders and the Buffs as part of ESPN's primetime lineup. Colorado is a 20-point favorite and might have no problem covering the spread.

ESPN’s College GameDay, FOXs Big Noon Kickoff, and CBS's 60 Minutes will be on hand to feature Sanders' rise in the rankings. It will be the first time since 1996 that College GameDay has visited Boulder. CU hosted Michigan with Tom Brady on the roster. The wildly-popular ESPN pregame show has made the trip to the state of Colorado three times since then, but all those games were at the Air Force Academy.

Here are three keys to Colorado's success in the Rocky Mountain Showdown.

AS THE CLICHÉ GOES, PIN YOUR EARS BACK

Colorado's defense got their first sacks of the season last week against their most-hated rival Nebraska.They would finish the day with two. It is time for the Buffs to breakout on CSU QB Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi, who was put in for injured starter Clay Millen. He threw for 210 yards, two touchdowns, with one interception in the opener against Washington State.

This is where Charles Kelly can dial up ways to force the young quarterback into making mistakes. A huge part of that is not allowing him to be comfortable. But CU needs to show that they can come up with sacks in big moments. Yes, the secondary is amazing and should get a pick for the third straight week, but the front seven needs to get Fowler-Nicolosi in a box.

This is a talented Buffs defense and they'll force the Rams to be constantly on edge from pressure. Jordan Domineck has been one of the best disruptors in the backfield so far this season. He was close to picking up his first sack for the Buffs and should get in this week. Add in Taijh Alston, who has 1.5 sacks on the season. My dark horse for this game is Florida State transfer Derrick McLendon, who could have a breakout game.

CONTINUE TO WIN ON THIRD DOWN

CU’s offense has been excellent on third down conversions so far this season. Sean Lewis' crew is 18-of-33 (54%) with great execution, especially throughout the upset at TCU. Lewis continues to draw up plays that Shedeur Sanders can orchestrate a chance at converting. The Buffs have shown the ability to execute and keep drives alive.

Once again, look for the offense to be well above 50 percent against a Rams defense that allowed Washington State to go 11-of-17 on third down. The Cougars put up "half-a-hundred" against the Rams and the Buffs could do the same if they continue to show that they can move the sticks. Colorado State had a bye week to regroup from the Washington State loss. The Rams only converted on five third downs and had four successful scoring drives to show for it all. Colorado held Nebraska to 4-of-13 on third down and they should have that kind of success with CSU as well.

The Buffs can't afford to sleep on Fowler-Nicolosi. He has a solid arm and can use his legs as a dual-threat. Tory Horton, who was All-Mountain West for the Rams last year will be the primary target. He caught nine balls for 81 yards against WSU two weeks ago. He's on par for another decent year after 71 receptions for 1,131 yards and 8 TDs last season. Justus Ross-Smith not only had a good spring with the Rams, but a good opening game hauling in five catches for 123 yards and a touchdown.

BIG PLAY ON SPECIAL TEAMS

The only thing we have yet to see from this CU Buffs team is a big play on special teams. Coach Prime was a master of taking it to the house in his NFL career, not only in the secondary, but also in the return game. Colorado can take advantage of the Rams weakened unit. At least shorten the field off a long return with Jimmy Horn, Jr. or Dylan Edwards breaking out a big one. We could be lucky to see a blocked kick or punt for a scoop-six.

Mark Vassett has been perfect at coffin-corner punts and sets up CU's defense with most of the field behind them. Colorado made adjustments after TCU's Major Everhart had 140 yards on kick returns. Nebraska had just one return for 23 yards last week. They'll need to maintain that energy against the Rams. In CSU’s opener, Kobe Johnson took a kickoff 98 yards for a Rams score. The Buffs must suck the life out of Colorado State's special teams unit.

You know that Coach Prime will have the Buffs ready to go and will not be overlooking this rival from Fort Collins. The last thing CU needs is a blemish on their record and bragging rights from their "little brother."

Colorado faces CSU in a primetime affair on Saturday, Sept. 9 at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN.