College Football Handicapping – Colorado State vs. Colorado

Breaking down the experience and coaching edge – College Football Handicapping

Colorado vs. Colorado State at Sports Authority Field @ Mile High Stadium

Line:  Colorado State -2.5

Total: 48.5

Experience and cohesiveness edge:

Colorado has a new head coach, new offensive and defensive coordinators and new starting quarterback. Mike MacIntyre is in his fourth season overall as head coach after a positive plan and marked improvement guiding the San Jose State program for three seasons. Yet adjusting to new systems and coaching staff often presents a learning curve and requires complete trust in your teammates and coaches as you work through early growing pains; especially with a team so shattered and buried like the Buffaloes were the past two seasons (4-21 SU). Colorado will improve, but it’s going to take MacIntyre and his staff time again to see positive results and more victories.

Colorado State is in their second season under head coach Jim McElwain, who ironically also was the head coach previously at San Jose State (1997-2000). McElwain understands and has coached big time college football, as he served as Alabama’s offensive coordinator from 2008-2011. Both offensive and defensive coordinators return including Dave Baldwin, who turned the offensive fortunes as Utah State’s offensive coordinator from 2009-2011 when the Aggies emerged with a pair of seasons over 435 ypg and 29 ppg.  Along with junior QB Garrett Grayson and Sophomore QB Connor Smith (shared duties w/similar stats last season), the Rams have more experienced and capable QB’s, along with very cohesive offensive line play with upgraded offensive talent. The defense will also improve, and the systems are in place for improved play and production for the Rams this season.

–FairwayJay