Floyd Chalk ripped off runs of 58 and 35 yards against Colorado State on Saturday. The Rams beat Southern Utah 58-24, but allowed 206 rushing yards. CSU also recovered two fumbles and intercepted two passes; those takeaways led to a touchdown and two field goals, helping the Rams separate despite the damage on the ground.
Now BYU brings an offense that has committed zero turnovers through two games against a CSU defense that has forced eight. The Rams host the No. 11 Cougars on Saturday, September 19, at 5:30 p.m. Mountain on CBS. Fan Watch gives CSU an 18% chance to win, an upset worth getting excited about, with a loss still the much likelier result. No outside result carries enough benefit to warrant a rooting recommendation this week. The interactive guide and methodology have the forecast details.
Jim Mora has already given fans something rare. It is CSU's first 2-0 start since 2011, and the first two-win opening by a new Rams head coach since Bob Davis in 1947. That earns some enthusiasm for the new regime. Beating No. 11 BYU at home would give Mora's turnaround an early signature win.
The defense has a specific correction to make. Reviewing Southern Utah, Mora credited the three-point second half but criticized the runs that split his defense; on Monday, he identified missed tackles among the causes of explosive gains. The coach's assessment leaves room to appreciate the response without declaring the rushing problem fixed.
BYU can attack that weakness with more than one runner. Against Arizona, LJ Martin gained 98 yards on 20 carries, while quarterback Bear Bachmeier ran for 37 yards and a touchdown alongside 217 passing yards and three scores. CSU needs to finish tackles on Martin and contain Bachmeier when he runs. With BYU having protected the ball through its opening two games, the Rams cannot count on another batch of takeaways to erase long gains. Forcing third downs and then getting off the field would give the offense possessions it can use to chase the upset.
Hauss Hejny supplied plenty of reason to want the ball back against Southern Utah. He produced 410 yards of total offense and five touchdowns, including a 75-yard scoring run. He gives CSU a way to produce points quickly. But Mora's Monday review counted seven hits on Hejny despite only one sack. Watch how often the line lets him finish a throw cleanly, not just whether he stays out of the sack column.
The ground support needs to become steadier, too. Mel Brown gained 153 of his 171 rushing yards on two carries against Southern Utah. Receiver Jackson Harper praised Pryce Tracy's varied, formation-heavy offense after that game, while Mora wanted longer drives and more consistent rushing gains between the explosives. Getting useful yardage on ordinary carries would let CSU sustain possessions when the long touchdown is unavailable.
Brown's production also came after knee pain in the days before the Southern Utah game, according to Mora. He started despite the pain; his status for BYU remains unclear.
Celebrate another takeaway if CSU gets one. But watch the possessions when Martin keeps the ball secure and Bachmeier avoids a mistake. Can the Rams tackle, contain and force an ordinary punt? Those stops would give this upset bid a way to survive between the spectacular plays.