3 Bold Predictions for Colorado vs Colorado State for Rocky Mountain Showdown

New Colorado head coach and former Georgia defensive coordinator Mel Tucker will get his first taste of life as Buffaloes head coach when he takes on their hated in-state rival in Mike Bobo and Colorado State. The Rams limped to a 3-9 finish last season, so neither school is burdened with high expectations for the 2019 season. However, this is an in-state rivalry, meaning that things could get pretty wild.

3. Steven Montez Throws Four Touchdowns, With At Least Two to Laviska Shenault

Montez is a fifth-year senior at quarterback who has thrown 37 touchdowns against 18 picks in his last two years as the starter in Boulder. A 6-5, 230 pound passer with a hose for a right arm, Montez has the luxury of being able to go downfield to Shenault, a 6-2, 220 pound wideout who racked up 1,011 yards last year and will be a first-round pick this year. That duo paired with a CSU defense that ranked 117th in points allowed last year is a recipe for disaster.

2. Warren Jackson Tops 100 Yards Receiving

Jackson's moment came two years ago on the road against Alabama, in which he caught two touchdowns and mossed Baltimore Ravens corner Anthony Averett. Last year's star wideouts in Preston Williams and Olabisi Johnson are currently with the Dolphins and Vikings, respectively. This leaves Jackson as the No. 1 receiver in a Bobo offense that has been very kind to the likes of Williams and Dallas Cowboys wideout Michael Gallup.

1. Colorado Wins By Two Touchdowns

Bobo and the Rams could be in for a rough year, as the loss of starting quarterback KJ Carta-Samuels paired with the departures of Williams and Johnson could be the nail in the coffin for the offense. If Montez and Shenault are healthy and Tucker is able to implement a defense that is similar to what he oversaw at Georgia, the Buffaloes should have no trouble with this one.