CSU preparing for challenge at No. 1 Alabama

The Colorado State Rams, coming off a 38-10 win over Abilene Christian, know they're in for a big test as they visit No. 1 Alabama on Saturday.

"When you watch this team on tape, offensively, defensively and special teams, it's probably the best-coached football team that I have seen in a long time." CSU Head Coach Mike Bobo said.

That coach is, of course, Nick Saban. Saban is in his 10^th season at the helm of the Crimson Tide, where he owns a 114-13 overall record. Alabama has won four of the last eight national titles, and nearly took a fifth last year, falling in a dramatic title game showdown against Clemson. The Crimson Tide are 47-6 against non-conference opponents under Saban – including a 30-1 mark at home.

Alabama is 2-0 after convincing wins over then-No. 3 Florida State (game played in Atlanta, Ga.) and Mountain West foe Fresno State.

Eleven starters return from last year's national runner-up squad, including standout quarterback Jalen Hurts. Hurts has 224 yards passing with two TDs over his first two games this year, but he's been arguably more dangerous on the ground. Hurts leads the team with 209 rushing yards, including a career-best 154 against Fresno State last week.

The Alabama offense is bolstered by returning running backs Damien Harris (1,037 yards, 7.1 per carry in 2016) and Bo Scarbrough (812, 6.5, 11 team-leading TDs), along with junior wide receiver Calvin Ridley, who is already in the top 10 in receiving yards and total receptions in the Crimson Tide's storied record books.

The Rams acknowledge that slowing down the Crimson Tide's run game is critical to their potential for success on Saturday.

"They're all extremely good running backs," senior linebacker Evan Colorito said. "We just know that we have to be in our fits and tackle really well. We also understand that Jalen Hurts is one of the most elusive quarterbacks in the country. We just have to try to keep him in the pocket. We have to keep him inside and tackle well. They have a lot of weapons in the run game, and we have to try to shut that down."

CSU isn't without its own offensive threats, however. Senior signal-caller Nick Stevens leads the NCAA in passing yards (985), having thrown for 300-plus yards in all three games to open 2017. His most productive target has been senior Michael Gallup (309 yards, fourth in the NCAA), but he's found success getting the ball to several playmakers. Junior Olabisi Johnson has 220 yards on 14 receptions (15.7 per catch), while senior Detrich Clark has found the end zone twice on 13 receptions (168 yards).

Senior Dalyn Dawkins led the Rams in rushing in each of the first two games of the year, but it was junior Izzy Matthews that paced the team in the category against Abilene Christian, taking 12 carries for 89 yards while adding 34 yards through the air and a TD.

CSU knows that its offensive production will not come easy against Alabama on Saturday in front of 100,000-plus Crimson Tide loyalists.

"You've just got to respect what Coach Saban has done there at that program year after year," Bobo said. "When you look at them defensively, to be honest, it looks like an NFL front four, their defensive line has got some unreal playmakers."

Both teams' defensive personnel have proven difference-makers. Alabama junior safety Minkah Fitzpatrick is the team's all-time leader in interceptions returned for a touchdown (four), and racked up 66 takes (5.5 for loss) a year ago. Five other starters return from last year, including leading tackler Ronnie Harrison. The junior safety had 85 total tackles in 2016, and leads team with 13 through two games this season.

The Rams have already forced nine turnovers this year, including seven interceptions. For comparison, the Rams had 14 total takeaways last year and just eight interceptions. CSU forced five turnovers against Oregon State in its season opener on Aug. 26, and had two players have two-INT outings the following two weeks – senior cornerback Kevin Nutt, Jr., and sophomore safety Jamal Hicks. The Rams have shown the ability to pressure QBs as well, including tallying five sacks (from five different players) against Colorado on Sept. 1.

CSU is approaching this contest with the intent to execute and win. The team will try to avoid the distractions of a national audience (ESPN 2, 5 p.m. MT), 100,000-plus Alabama fans and the No. 1 ranking listed next to its opponent.

"We've got to focus on us," Bobo said. "We have to make sure that we know our assignments because if you have any hesitation or don't know what you are doing as a football player, in any phase of the game, then that is when they are going to really expose you. We have to concentrate on Colorado State. We have to improve what we are doing fundamentally and schematically and then go out there and play and cut it loose."

FAMILIARITY BETWEEN CSU, ALABAMA
There are many connections between the Rams and Crimson Tide.

CSU offensive coordinator Will Friend was a star offensive lineman for Alabama from 1993-96. He was a two-time All-SEC honoree and was named to Alabama's All-Decade team for the 1990s.

Three additional members of the CSU coaching staff worked at Alabama earlier in their careers. Ronnie Letson, the Rams' QBs coach, was an offensive analyst for the Crimson Tide in 2013. Head strength & conditioning coach Ryan Davis was an intern in the weight room at Alabama in 2009, and then served a year as a full-time assistant in 2011. George Helow, who serves at CSU in a defensive quality control role, got his coaching start at Alabama in 2012 as an intern.

CSU Head Coach Mike Bobo went to Tuscaloosa as a quarterback for Georgia in 1994, a game that Alabama won, 29-28. Bobo went back to Bryant-Denny Stadium on two occasions as a coach at Georgia, and came away victorious both times – in 2002 and 2007.

Two Rams on the 2017 roster played in the 2013 meeting between the programs – linebacker Deonte Clyburn and safety Jake Schlager. Quarterback Nick Stevens also went on the trip, while current offensive graduate assistant (and former CSU tight end) Nolan Peralta also appeared in that game.

Current Rams tight end Isiah Pannunzio has a family member on staff at Alabama – special teams coordinator and tight ends coach, Joe Pannunzio.

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