Colorado State travels to play resurgent Idaho

After a tough loss last week at BYU, Colorado State will be looking to get its successful season back on track. The next step is a road trip to face Idaho, an apparently much improved WAC team.

The Vandals historically have been one of the worst 10 teams in college football. They haven’t had a winning season since 1999.  In that same time frame, there have been four head coaches, with the school serving as a stepping-stone job for the likes of Dennis Erickson and Tom Cable.

Robb Akey took over in 2007 and looked ready to depart himself after posting a 3-21 record, but this year’s team is off to its best start since joining upper-division football, currently 3-1. Idaho has beaten another MWC team in San Diego State and kept the score respectable in its 42-23 loss to Washington. Suddenly a gimme on the Rams’ schedule has become another potential challenge.

This week’s three keys to the game:

BOUNCEBACK FROM GREER

Colorado State could be looking at 4-0 right now were it not for early miscues on offense that put it in a hole against BYU. Wideout Rashaun Greer ended up getting benched for tipping two passes into defender’s hands and was demoted from his starting role for Saturday’s game. Greer has responded this week in practice, according to his coaches.

“He’s had a nice week. I’ve liked his attitude this week. He’s not going to start, but he’ll be in the rotation. He’ll have a chance to bounce back pretty quick here,” coach Steve Fairchild said.

“It happens in all sports,” said Greer of his setback. “What makes you a better person is having a short memory and learning from those mistakes. I guess you could say I’ve been more focused on the fundamentals.”

DEFENSIVE LINE PLAY

Idaho’s offensive line, consisting of four seniors, is quite solid. It’s a strength the CSU defense has faced all year in practices against its own. The Rams will need to draw on this experience to frustrate Idaho quarterback Nathan Enderle. When not pressured, Enderle is dangerously accurate. He’s started in Akey’s system all three years, getting more efficient over time. He’s thrown only two interceptions.

The defensive line will also be needed to assist with bringing down a stout Idaho running back. De’Maundray Woolridge, at 5-foot-9 and 241 pounds, has been described by CSU coordinator Larry Kerr as a bowling ball. The strong rusher is coming off a 143-yard game against Northern Illinois.

IGNORE DISTRACTIONS

Idaho is one of the few college teams to play indoors, which can increase the crowd-noise factor. It shouldn’t be a problem after playing in front of 64,000 last week, but the Rams are taking advantage of their new indoor facility and have been piping in crowd noise to get acclimated.

Increasing national interest from the success of both teams has also resulted in a time change. After the game was picked up by the ESPNU network, kickoff was moved from afternoon to 8:30 p.m. CSU will need to ignore both of these quirks and stay focused. One of the most dangerous distractions of the evening could be looking ahead.